Salt Water tank Interest

[MyBirdIsMean]

I was recently offered a 30 gallon fish tank with stand that used to be used as a fresh water tank. Idd like to move over to salt water. Im hearing salt water tanks are way too much maintainance and the fish tend to suddenly die leaving you out of a 500$ fish investment. Anyone have any opinion on this. I don't really have a budget here so if it's just a matter of buying the most expensive filter and best corral to make the whole process very easy, I don't really mind. I googled salt water tanks but most of the information I get is very general. Im looking for specific resources.
Thanks for your help

Jeff

[Bettachris]

well what are you thinking of.

with saltwater there are only really 3 set-ups.
A)Fish only(very easy)
B)Fish with live rock(alittle harder)
C)Reef tank(hard)

for general saltwater, it is hard due to numbers. as the fishes come from all over the world, and have different salt levels. a hydrometer will help you.

really it depends on how you want the tank to look, just remember with stocking, it is very easy to overstock a salt water tank than a freshwater tank. while 30 gallons is good size for a freshwater tank not really a salt water tank. Most common tankmates would be clownfish,benniesetc.

larger fishes like tangs and angel fishes need much larger tanks.

i do have to go now, and will be back later to give you better answers, but just wanted to let you know that i saw your thread and want to help, just i have to leave now.

[MyBirdIsMean]

I would like to do coral but i dont know how realistic im being since ive never done this before. Is there a really good book or website that will help me do this. When i was looking for a dog i went to the american kennal clubs website and they told me anything and everything i needed to know. They even had a link to a site that told you the best apartment dogs.

Jeff

[Bettachris]

here. http://fishprofiles.com/files/threads/12278.1.htm?0#

my friend terranova knows way more about saltwater than i do.

but i can help you more with salt water fishes. as i specialize in fishes.

[cstrohmeyer]

A salt water fish tank is not hard if all the steps are followed.
During my years of aquarium maintenance we lost no more marine fish than FW.
Also spending alot of money is no guarantee of success, many elaborate Wet/dry filters cost a fortune, but do not deliver for their high cost.
QUALITY live rock (by that I mean seasoned for 3-4 weeks) is a great way to improve aerobic and anaerobic filtration.
Redundancy of filters is important; a canister with an internal filter works well. So does a Wet/dry with an internal filter. Even a cheap HOB (power filter) combined with an inexpensive sponge filter (for bio-filtration) + live rock can work.
A UV sterilizer for disease prevention and Redox potential is also a must in a fish aquarium. I have worked with them and developed them over the years, and when they do not work, it is because of poor installation, or a poor quality UV.
A good source for marine fish is also a must.
A good but simple cleaning schedule.
And patience is also a must.
As for coral, I would cut your teeth on fish first, them transition to coral, adding the high power lighting that is needed, maybe a refugium, a protein skimmer, and a good culture of anaerobic bacteria going for nitrate removal.
Here are two good sources for information:
http://marine-basics.blogspot.com/
http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/

Carl
Aquarium Maintenance and Design since 1978
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/

[MyBirdIsMean]

Awesome Thanks Guys!