You Can't Handle The Truth! 7 Things Newbies Don't Want To Hear.

[Nuhtty]

When moving into the world of saltwater aquaria, people think that they can simply slap something together with a few bucks and minimal research that will sustain life of often very delicate fish.

True, there are ways to cut corners...both money and time...but these are methods that have been discovered through practice and experience.

SO, here are a few things that newbies don't really want to hear but that they SHOULD NOT ignore!

1. That fish is too big for that tank. Tang, angel, eel or whatever. Each fish needs an appropriately sized tank for its age and species. Some fish are lateral swimmers...they like to do 4 feet bursts rather than just float around slowly. Some fish need plenty of foraging room to search for food. Some fish need a great deal of hiding spots to feel secure. If you ignore these rules you are risking: disease, aggression, starvation and ultimately a dead fish. Use many sources to find the minimum tank requirements for a fish. DON'T use guidelines set by fish stores or online vendors...many of them set the bar lower so that their stock is available to more hobbyists. Find the best resource guide you can. I like the Marine Fishes book by Scott W. Michael. Concise and colorful, not to mention conservative on stocking.

2. The "Inch per gallon rule" doesn't apply here! In saltwater, especially reef tanks, much of the tank volume is taken up by live rock. You need to be cognicant of this when adding fish. Just because your tank hold 55 gallons doesnt mean there is that much swimming space after rock, sand, coral, powerheads, etc.

3. No, you cannot just convert your Cichlid tank to a saltwater tank by adding salt. Saltwater tanks, again especially reef tanks, need appropriate filtration that is often very different from that found in the freshwater world. True, there can be some overlap but you should read more before just trying to convert your tank over.

4. No, you can't keep that coral under those lights. Please...just like fish corals are living creatures with specific needs. Watts per gallon means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I can't stress that enough so I will repeat it. WATTS/GALLON MEANS NOTHING. Type, strength, PAR, color temperature and wattage are all just pieces of the lighting puzzle.

5. You can't put those fish together. Why? Because they will fight! Just like in the freshwater world you can't mix certain species of fish. They may fight because they feed on the same food or because of similar color/shape patterns.

6. Yes you have to wait for your tank to finish cycling and NO a damsel won't speed up the process. My God...just have some patience! Put the live rock in the tank and walk away for 6 weeks. Then come back and start thinking about fish, inverts or whatever. Too many fish die or are unnecessarily stressed by being put in tanks that are not ready. Plus, you waste a lot of money.

7. Sorry, that kid at the fish store doesn't know what he is talking about. Sure, some do. Did you know when I went to buy my last car (2004 Volvo S60R, 300hp, 18" titatnium...err...sorry...I love that car!) that I knew more about the car than the salesman. Why? Because I took the time to know the product BEFORE I went to buy it. I made sure that if I asked a question and got an answer that I could validate it. Know your LFS people. Know what they know. Know MORE than they know. Many are good...and many are not.

Well, those are some of the more important things out there.

Remember...just because "a guy you know" has a yellow tang in a 29 gallon doesn't mean it's right. Do the right thing.

Read
Research
Read more
THEN buy

[aquaman3680]

thats really true i didnt want to hear most of the stuff listed im sure most people dont

[David4039]

Also, use RO/DI water

[Ochi]

You are missing a step before buying...RESEARCH AGAIN!

Ask here before doing anything.

NO WHISPER FILTERS!

You need more flow than you think. So many problems are because of the lack of gas exchange.

Good test kits...Conditions fine doesn't cut it, nor does the LFS.

RO/DI as mentioned, clean water makes a difference.

Wait out the cycle, till EVERYTHING nasty hits 0, aka ammonium, No3, No2.

[sinkingbeach]

(2004 Volvo S60R, 300hp, 18" titatnium...err...sorry...I love that car!)

I want one!!!

[dntx5b9]

And please, no holier than thou attitude. Thank you!

[kite]

Thank you for posting this, you just saved my life. Now when an n00b comes here and does stupid stuff I can just tell them to come here instead of typing a response.



You just made my life that much easier. You win.

Spam count +2

[ItsMee]

David, what are you licking in your avatar?

[tigerarmy40]

how about the fact that you can invest over 4k in a 40g reef!

[Moreta]

Originally posted by ItsMee
David, what are you licking in your avatar?

You asked the question I was afriad to ask!

[LittlePuff]

This would be a good thread for a stickie, so we can send newbees to it.




Kim

[David4039]

When I went to Treasure Island Florida we went on a fishing trip. I ate a peice of the bait (raw squid) licked the fish we caught and then gave my fiance a big kiss when we got back. It was really funny.

[amorpnai]

NOW THIS IS THE HONEST TRUTH...

[areze]

cycle?!? whats that? I have 75 tangs in my 75gallon; is that a problem? their 1" each, and its 1" per gallon. is that a problem?

[Nuhtty]

Originally posted by kite
Thank you for posting this, you just saved my life. Now when an n00b comes here and does stupid stuff I can just tell them to come here instead of typing a response.



You just made my life that much easier. You win.

Spam count +2

ok

[Mr. Eko]

Originally posted by areze
cycle?!? whats that? I have 75 tangs in my 75gallon; is that a problem? their 1" each, and its 1" per gallon. is that a problem?

Lol
Sounds like your a lil overstocked.

[ItsMee]

Oh...so if I take a couple out itll be ok?

[Mjhappy2]

sounds like learning is costly and so is it the more you learn the more it cost ...ah

[THE GIMP]

Read as much as you can HERE ar RC !!

This is the place I learned too much to list. Oodles of wisdom given with care.



ps: I like my spelling better.

[MinibowMatt]

dont expect to set up ANY new tank even a NANO for less than $100.... if you can do it for less, you cut a corner...

[aquaman67]

Originally posted by Nuhtty
Find the best resource guide you can. I like the Marine Fishes book by Scott W. Michael. Concise and colorful, not to mention conservative on stocking.

Funny, I just quoted that book in the aggressive forum about Scott's recommendation that a Picasso trigger could be kept in a 55 gallon tank was was told he's full of "horse poopie".

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=648625

[Trekkie]

I kept one in a 55 gallon for 5 years before giving him to my LFS when I was moving and couldn't do the move with the fish.

[aquaman67]

Originally posted by Trekkie
I kept one in a 55 gallon for 5 years before giving him to my LFS when I was moving and couldn't do the move with the fish.

How big was it when you got rid of it and was it with other fish or was it alone?

[Nuhtty]

A picasso in a 55 with no other fish and moderate amounts of rock will be fine.