First off, i would like to introduce myself. I am Joe. im a guy from texas. Not everyone around this area is into horses and cows as one might suspect.
My wife and i have been thinking about starting a full saltwater aquarium for some time now. not just sand and fish, but live rock and such. a full reef if thats what you call it. i know the ways to keep a freshwater tank in safe running order, but saltwater not so much.
I got a book, i been reading up. some things still go over my head, but im learning through research. I want learn as much as possible.
So onto the questions: we currently live in an apartment on the 2nd floor. i doubt having a large tank that weighs so much be in one spot would be a good idea, and plus when we move in late september i dont want to restart a whole new tank and cycle things through. would it be smart to start out with a small 20gal tank and work in some sand and live rock? I just want to get the basics of how to get things "cycled" (if i used the right word at the right time) and i would like to get some rock cured, as i dont trust my local store for squat.
Im thinking of going this route:
First, while in the apartment i get a 20gal, start up with saltwater, live rock, and sand. let things cycle through, get the basics of control of levels and such down while im waiting to finish out my lease.
when the lease is done, move onto step two, which is save up so once we get our new place of residency, be it a house or first floor apartment, get ourselves a bigger setup. 50to100 gal tank, all appropriate supplies and start cycling that tank through for a day or two before i drop in the rock i might start keeping tomorrow.
I dont want to throw in fish until we have a great base to grow from. I want to start out small, slow and work my way to larger quantities and better qualities.
Sorry for taking up so much time. Thanks for reading
My wife and i have been thinking about starting a full saltwater aquarium for some time now. not just sand and fish, but live rock and such. a full reef if thats what you call it. i know the ways to keep a freshwater tank in safe running order, but saltwater not so much.
I got a book, i been reading up. some things still go over my head, but im learning through research. I want learn as much as possible.
So onto the questions: we currently live in an apartment on the 2nd floor. i doubt having a large tank that weighs so much be in one spot would be a good idea, and plus when we move in late september i dont want to restart a whole new tank and cycle things through. would it be smart to start out with a small 20gal tank and work in some sand and live rock? I just want to get the basics of how to get things "cycled" (if i used the right word at the right time) and i would like to get some rock cured, as i dont trust my local store for squat.
Im thinking of going this route:
First, while in the apartment i get a 20gal, start up with saltwater, live rock, and sand. let things cycle through, get the basics of control of levels and such down while im waiting to finish out my lease.
when the lease is done, move onto step two, which is save up so once we get our new place of residency, be it a house or first floor apartment, get ourselves a bigger setup. 50to100 gal tank, all appropriate supplies and start cycling that tank through for a day or two before i drop in the rock i might start keeping tomorrow.
I dont want to throw in fish until we have a great base to grow from. I want to start out small, slow and work my way to larger quantities and better qualities.
Sorry for taking up so much time. Thanks for reading
