Okay, so my wife wants to put a large saltwater fish tank in our formal dining room. I have a space behind the table that is about 10 ft. wide and I want to find something to put in that space. First of all, I have never had a fish tank. I had a fish I won at the Children's Festival in Houston when I was 8 and it died within days. And to make matters worse, I hear saltwater tanks are difficult to maintain. But, through all my whining, she wants a fish tank, so looks like I get to learn how to take care of a big (100 Gallon plus) tank with fish in it that are more expensive than my dog. Any suggestions on where to start? Good places to find tanks/fish besides Petsmart? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Check craigslist- there are people you can pay to set it up and do monthly maintainance. Taking care of a salt water aquarium is no joke. The chemistry has to be just right, the fish are expensive, etc, etc. Watch them for a few months, do your research, then cut the visits back until you feel confident enough to do it on your own.
Yeah pay someone to do the maintenance... and don't forget the generator... one power outage and your expensive fish are done for.
I've never had a salt water tank, but I've had many fresh water with ciclids. Large freshwater tanks require a decent amount of know-how and time to maintain and not look gross. That being said, salt water tanks are 10x more difficult. I would suggest starting out with a smaller saltwater tank to learn what you need to do, before you drop the dough on a large one and alot of aquatic life. salt water life is pricy, know what you're doing before you get a 100 gallon tank. Try a 30 gallon to prepare. You could think about getting a freshwater, ciclids are beautiful fish and look like they could be found in salt water.
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I had two large freshwater tanks setup until an ice storm hit last year and knocked the power out for a week. Bye bye fish and plants. I haven't even set them back up yet because that made me so sick. My tanks were all natural with real plants and all that hard work went down the drain. I'd actually start with freshwater and then move onto saltwater later or if you're bent on getting saltwater do like others have said and start small.
True, true, true. We've had fresh-water tanks off and on for the last ten years or so. They can be quite beautiful and are easier to maintain. We've had one salt-water tank, and would never do it again. Way too much work, way too expensive... we spent more time cleaning than enjoying, and grew to resent the little fishies. Unless you're willing to pay someone to do the work, stick with fresh-water. Another thing to consider is starting with a small aquarium and seeing if you really enjoy it before dropping a bunch of cash on a big setup. I don't know of any good places in Houston, but in Austin, we shopped at Amazonia and Aquatek almost exclusively.
If you do a fish only tank, you should be ok. The larger the tank, the less issues you will have with temp changes and chemistry. I do 50% water changes every few months on a 55 gal tank. Live coral, on the other hand, is a massive undertaking. Not for beginners and expensive to maintain.
As someone thats kept tropical fish most of their life, I'd advise against a beginner jumping straight into setting up and running a large salt water set up. Its expensive, it takes a lot of hard work to maintain it, and out of the blue the tiniest problem can wipe out your tank very quickly and leave you having to restock. You are much better off just having a fresh water tank.
Well I would be perfectly fine with a small freshwater tank, however, we just bought this house, our first home together. She grew up her entire life with Saltwater tanks, she is pretty familiar with them, in fact, if she wanted to she could probably undertake this entirely on her own. I think she just wants me to be interested in something besides watching my 72" Samsung and going to the gym, so she is puting me in charge of this. Im willing to pay for set up and all that, and my father-in-law said he would show me the ins and outs of this. Dammit, if im doing this im buying a Shark and it better eat some stuff.
the beauty of the organisms you can place in a salt-water tank blows me away. If money is not a factor...go SALT! (hire a monthly maintenance dude)
Saltwater tropical setting are freaking beautiful. If you have the money go for it. Like some already mentions, you will need a professional setup and maintenance. Hopefully you don't live in a city with a winter season.
I live in Pearland, and I'm on about a 2-3 thousand dollar budget. Taxes were good to me this year. Is there any good stores around Houston to shop at that anyone knows of? Also someone mentioned a generator, I have 2 in my garage in case of emergency.
I say you should Google and do a little more research before jumping head on. That way you will know your stuff that way you'll know what they are selling you and don't get ripped off when you do head down to a fish store(s).
Be sure the tank you buy has a large surface area. Don't get a tall and narrow tank. Salt water aquariums require more oxygen per fish and the water gets that from interacting with the surface. It should be at least 18" front to back, with 24" being better. If you can afford it, find a good fish shop and have them set everything up for you. Tell them you want it as low maintenance as you can get. Start with inexpensive fish, like clowns, until you know you've got it down. And if you can afford it, having a service is a good idea. I helped a friend service Earl Campbell's tank here in Austin back in another age. Earl had a freshwater tank, though. So did Willie. At least back then. Good thing you have some bucks, because going first class will be expensive. Freshwater is so much cheaper and easier to maintain.
Apparently you have better source of infos in your wife and father in law. Why are you asking the people on here for? Doesn't sound like anyone knows anything.
