My First Saltwater Aquarium - Afraid To Try? You Can Do It!
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2016
- Click to subscribe: bit.ly/1Tb2yUt - I've always been afraid to make the jump from freshwater aquariums to a saltwater aquarium. Most of my fear came from my own ignorance and failure to research the needs and costs to get one started. I just told myself it was too hard and would cost too much money. While visiting a new fish store in Virginia Beach, called Aquariums Unlimited, my fears were quickly smashed like the Incredible Hulk in a china shop...or pretty much any shop for that matter. If you have had successful freshwater tanks and are curious about starting your first saltwater aquarium, find out what I was told and how I got my first saltwater aquarium started.
What got me started:
AI Prime HD Light: amzn.to/2sSv8Ih
AI Prime Light Flexible Mount: amzn.to/2sOZcF3
Eshopps PSK-75H Protein Skimmer: amzn.to/2touX4J
Marineland Penguin 50-70 Gallon Filter: amzn.to/2sP7616
Chemipure Elite: amzn.to/2tp7JeP
Caribsea Live Sand: amzn.to/2sLO8HW
Live Rock: amzn.to/2sSr22P
Aqueon Circulation Pump 950GPH: amzn.to/2sLOQoC 
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I've been keeping freshwater for a while now, and I just started my first saltwater 20 gallon about 2 weeks ago. After some research and some help from my brother who used to be a reefer (55 gallon), it really isn't as hard as people think. I was really skeptical of keeping saltwater at first because of how much it was, and maintaining it. To be honest, it is just as easy as keeping freshwater. I still absolutely love freshwater, but the colors and corals of reef tanks is what I have fallen in love with for saltwater. My friends never really commented on my freshwater tanks, but once I started saltwater, all of my friends are curious to see what new additions I have made, etc. So to anyone afraid of starting a saltwater tank, don't be! It'll be a learning experience, because we all have to start somewhere. You have the internet, your lfs, and forums for all the help you may need. So get out there and start it up!!!!!
Completely agree on the ease compared to freshwater and friends commenting haha. It can be as easy as a freshwater. The only difference is having to make saltwater or even easier, just buying pre-made from your LFS.
The shop i got my set up from told me to keep it super simple and not over think it. Start with a fowlr setup then work up to corals invertibrates etc. Its just as easy as a freshwater imo its just less forgiving when it goes sideways
@@robsrandomrants1183 agreed. Sounds like they steered you right
Do you think I should start with freshwater first? Or its alright to start immediately into saltwater? Im planning to start soon but I'm not sure if I should immediately go with saltwater.
@@jcferrero09 if you ultimately want saltwater, just start there. But make sure you do more research, if you think you're ready, do more research I promise you haven't done enough. Saltwater is more expensive and you things can go very wrong if you don't know what you're doing. Once things get going though they can be very simple like freshwater
For years I've toyed with the idea of getting into Saltwater tanks but everything just looked so complex and expensive. Thanks for sharing your experience, you may have just given me the confidence to give it a shot.
I'm in the same boat too! I just converted from keeping a planted freshwater aquarium to my first saltwater aquarium and you are right. Keeping a saltwater aquarium is not as hard as I thought, and my kids love the colorful rainbow of fish. Now I need to get my quarantine tank set up next. Thanks and great videos
I've had tropical fresh water tanks before a good few years ago but lately I've started thinking about getting a saltwater tank. The colours on marine fish just look so much brighter and more beautiful, definitely thankful we have RUclips cos there seems to be plenty of vids full of advice for beginners to watch.
Matt Gosling sane here
I'm glad I found your video - I've been a freshwater fish keeper for years and have been happily successful with my tanks, but I think its about time I stop making excuses about trying saltwater and jump right in! Thanks for the inspiration/story, and good luck with your tank, its a beautiful start and I hope we see it grow!
Thanks! You'll be glad you did. It's now my favorite tank. I tried to move too quickly though and wasn't fully informed and didn't always get good advice about what I could put in my setup. Have had to re-home a few things...like the starfish and Condi Anemone. But overall, it's still going strong with the same exact setup.
glad you made the jump into saltwater :P
thanks for the video!
I have hesitated to give this a go, but you have helped me decide to give it a try!
Hey! I'm also in Virginia Beach! I was fed the line of the 'premixed' water is better from that very store. After a few weeks of the salinity not being consistent and testing with a TDS greater of 0 I ended up buying my own RO/DI unit.
I do LOVE the AI prime on my tank also.
I just bought a 40 gal AOI and have been in Legend Aquatics like ten times just looking and asking questions! To me those people over there have given me sooo much information about SW tanks
I’ve been researching budget saltwater and came across the video by chance. Unlimited aquarium was the first store I went to when I moved to Hampton. Great spot.
This video convinced me to consider starting a saltwater tank now that I'm getting back into it.
Great video man. I was just checking to see where my reef tank video was being recommended and it was on this video. Left a like too.
+Fun With The Bugs cool! I'll have to check out your video too!
You giving me confidence 😊👍🏾
Bought a 16g ordinary freshwater tank, ripped the hood off and mounted a good reef light. Have had it cycling since August and added a single clownfish and a single royal gramma yesterday. Very entertaining fish to watch and they have been doing extremely well. Accepting pellet food already and aren't too bothered with people getting close to the tanks.
Can't wait to delve deeper into corals and try to score some beginner friendly corals to make it a true nano reef tank :)
I didn’t see this until after I got my first tank, and wouldn’t you know I went to aquariums unlimited! They are great!
They sure are! Awesom
ugh im so scared to get into saltwater but it looks so amazing !
Saltwater isn't as scary as many people make it out to be provided you research the heck out of it first. There is also a huge variance between a 20 gallon FOWLR (Fish Only with Live Rock) and a 100+ gallon fully active reef tank with Tangs, Angelfish, etc. I have a vid showing how to build a 20 Long FOWLR on my channel for a few hundred dollars with all accessories included.
Jester's Aquatics I’ll be checking this out I have a 20 gallon tank that I may convert from a fresh to a salt
Almost a month in, tank is cycled has one orchid dotty back, this Friday I’m getting my first corals, supper scared I feel like I’m gonna kill them and I have no idea what to do with my lights and I’m scared they are gonna be unhealthy or something, supper excited still just gotta remember to ask plenty of questions and wish myself luck!!
@@nulla6602 how'd it work out?
@@kygu honestly it’s not hard if anything it’s a little bit easier water changes are far less frequent yeah you have to keep on top of water chemistry but with the salts they have available these days everything is done for you just get it to the right solidity a decent skimmer a small sump that can be a container it does not need to be anything fancy.
Tony - love the tank!
Great job on the new saltwater tank.
Ty for sharing!
I figured that because the petsmart you went into on your other video was the one really close to me and my wife worked there 4 years ago. We are thinking about doing a salt water tank.
Very informative. I’ve kept freshwater for a long time but I just never understood how to maintain salinity and all that jazz. I never realized how easy it is to mix. I know it’s probably not the ideal start but I’m trying a pico reef. No fish or anything just a small piece of the ocean
That store looks awesome! I wish I lived near something like that... All the stores near me are good but not great and funnily enough the best one is the smallest!
I enjoyed your video. Like me, you can see how much you care about what you're doing. Keep it up.
Thanks Alan. I do really try my best to provide good water for them to live in
So glad I found a video from someone here in Hampton Roads. I have to check out those stores, I'm looking to get into saltwater but don't really know where to start. Great video
Hey Cody, there are several really great fish stores in the area. Shoot me a message if you want to know more. When getting started, I frequented Animal Adventure, Aquariums Unlimited, Legendary Aquatics.
I had this exact setup. Good size tank, Good filter, and even better skimmer. tip. Dont add fish so quick and keep flow high. Diatoms live in low flow.
Hi bud I remember the day when I started in reef tanks was so exciting was a very long time ago but you lean as you go but remember always do a lot of research before getting corals and fish ok and remember soft corals do not need a lot of light they like darker tanks sps corals like higher levels of light but make sure you always have the right spectrum of light for the corals you have but if I was you I would stick to soft corals just now and lean from them as they are much easier to keep and stay away from a mixed lps and sps for now until you learn more as that is the hardest tank to have so many different things you need to know about i wish you all the best I will keep watching your videos to see how your getting on and remind research is the key to having an amazing tank and never rush things that's the worst thing you can do take your time and learn and i would also advise to save up for a bigger tank a new one as you can buy an older tank that could end up having a problem with and then end up having to buy a new one in the end my mate did that and a year down the line it broke on him and he lost a lot of fish and corals so don't make the same mistake ok all the best.
D
Do you know how to use periods
Awesome reef and great video altogether!
+dwsdarius thanks Darius. It's been a ton of fun getting this tank going. The corals are addicting...
Hey Tony... wow your tank is stunning. They really scare me. I have seen too many problems and the cost as well. I will leave it o you. Your touch is gold!! ♥♥
Awesome! I’ve been working w saltwater tanks at work for a while but want to start my own saltwater tank at home. I’ve got 28 freshwater tanks, so I need to just pull the trigger n swap one Over to salt
That’s a lot of tanks! If you already have that many, it shouldn’t be much more work for you to have a saltwater.
thinking about getting into it because I love the way they look. found this video and then you said Virginia Beach and I was like wow I found a RUclipsr in my area so cool I live in chesapeake. nice video
+David Towell cool man. I'm actually in Chesapeake as well
I love that store.. I've been there every day since I set mine up 3 weeks ago..
Wow really making me want to try this
+k lee 😉 I refuse to take the blame. 😂
Nice video. Very well spoken for only two months experience.
Star Wars Camp sounds so awesome
Hey another 757!
Just getting into saltwater and have everything I need (I think) just saw this and had to subscribe
I just bought a horse shoes shaped aquarium bar. I absolutely love it and I haven't gotten it set up because I have to buy all the stuff first it is amazing$350.00 soooo very cheap
Look up DIY chiller to keep it cool and DIY refugium. Works well and cheap to do. You’re doing great. Take your time and keep doing your research. You’ll do great.
Nice tank, I started with a 36 gallon saltwater tank and upgraded to a 90 gallon tank. My 36 gallon saltwater was my first fish tank of any kind. I also had some hiccups, but made it through. I have a bunch of vids of my experiences on my channel. Liked and Subscribed.
Is beautiful I love it 🥰
If you was in GA. brother I've got a 125 with glass tops and a home-made wood stand, that I have been trying to sell for $250. As for your blue regal tang he shouldn't get that big too fast. My blue regal is in a 90 gallon reef for 3 years now and he's only grew a couple of inches.
Phillip Owens north GA? I’m interested.
I am 13 and I have gotten use to my 10 gallon saltwater tank and mine wasn't really expensive
I just got a 125g freshwater and got it setup, cycling the tank, and then i'll move everything from my 55 to it. I want to convert the 55 into a saltwater tank. Looking for informative videos. Thanks.
Hey ik this is an older video but I’m from the 757 and if you keep an eye on let go and offer up Newport News always has some nice tanks popping up
I like to put a saltwater tank in a question mark for cost.
I feel like to start with it *can* be cheap. However you can’t be afraid to spend the money to fix issues.
Coral = DKH usage (calcium reactor, balling, triton etc)
Phosphate gains = algae reactor, reactors, clean up
Nitrate = sulphur, bio reactor
The list is kind of endless, but even if you do things right it can still hit you.
I’ve had full ammonia spike causing a tank wipe, hair algae outbreak, bryopsis outbreak, bobbit worm, flatworms, whitespot, cyano etc.
Running a 2000L sps tank and taken a year to get everything fixed and stable.
You got amazing eyes, man
I just told my local fish store about the octonauts after my 3 yr old asked where the damsel fish where 🤣
Wow nice tanks for the advice
Yay nice tanks
Ahhh man the puns!
Challenge the Wild hey dude.can I have a shout out
Love the family at Animal Adventure! Aquariums Unlimited is cool too :)
They are the best!
I’m venturing out to do a saltwater tank. Thanks for the heads up. I’m pumped! Great video.
They really are beautiful and offer so many new options. I moved to a biocube, but am trying to make it a beautiful coral garden.
Just about to embark on my first saltwater aquarium Ive loads of experience with freshwater but still pretty nervous lol good vid btw
Good luck! They are very beautiful tanks.
Great info. Well done and informative! I’m on the same page.
I like your channel! Instant sub.
Thanks! Glad to hear you like the videos
Thank you for this helpful video! Do you recommend having plants with a salt-water tank?
Not to start. It requires additional lighting and expenses. Work on keeping water parameters right for the fish first. I made a lot of mistakes with my start. Some chain stores were willing to sell anything regardless of setup
I wish Australian fish stores are as good as America’s.
Your eyes are memorizing! Thanks for the info! Bought 110 gallon, do I dare try my first salt water tank in it or should I use one of the 55 gallon tanks I have? So excited & so afraid!
For the 110, you’d want a more elaborate setup than I showed. You’ll want a sump
u mean mesmerizing...
in VA Beach you have to check out Fish Safari.
I found that about 6 months later. They have an amazing selection!
I definitely want to and I can make room in my budget as long as I keep it reasonable like yours. My only problem is space. I have 3 fw tanks a 125 a 75 and a 30. I have been lookin at ways to rearrange the furniture to fit another tank and do some saltwater but dammit. I really need to buy a new house to accomodate my fish tank hobby lol
@Creative Fish Studios, we live pretty close to each other. I would love if we could meet up one day and talk. I'm getting ready to start my First Saltwater tank and could use some advice! Look forward to hearing from you !!
When you live in Nebraska and the only fish stores are Petsmart and Petco and maybe one or two tiny stores
In area nearest lfs is about 2 hours and nearest pets mart is an hour away
Fish Freaks, Nebraska Aquatic Supply. Both great shops. I prefer NAS.
Your eyes and nose are just as beautiful as your tank!
Where are you getting the water for your water changes? The tap , store rodi?
I ate lunch at Naussica just waiting to see the archer fish spit. They did not disappoint me.
It's really cool to see.
i'm thinking of starting my first also around summer
i plan to put fake coral decors tho :D to make it easy
wooohooo va beach has the best fish stores! ive heard about aquariums unlimited, never been. now i have to go check it out
You really should! I just stumbled on Pet Paradise yesterday and they have a ton of fish too. I just heard that Legendary Aquatics is moving to a bigger storefront. They are awesome.
pet paradise and simply pets are my go to's, serverts brothers own them and they have some pretty cool stuff. actually working on my first saltwater now so your video really helped me out, especially being that i live in the area! im sure ill catch ya at some point in one of these stores haha
That's awesome Alyssa! I actually just went to Pet Paradise for the first time last week. I happened to stop at the Chartway Credit Union across the street and happened to see it on my way out. They have a huge selection as well.
Aquaroum unlimited is awsome. Great store.
It sure is! It’s quite a drive for me, so I don’t get there as often as I’d like to.
What kind of media do you use in the marineland filter? I'm thinking of using your setup as a template for my first ref setup.
Looking at other peoples reefs and comparing it to mine 😂 I was terrified to go salty but I'm finding it so much fun and quite easy to maintain 🤗
I understand. haha. Just looked at your channel subbed and like the saltwater tank you've got going.
Creative Fish Studio thank you so much I appreciate the kind words 🤗🤗
any tips on what to do if corals dont open
I'm 1000% in the same boat. I just bought a CoralLife 32g LED BioCube and it's sitting on my stand not even opened yet. Cuz I'm to nervous to start it if I can't do it. So I been thinking just making it a FreshWater. Lol. Help me get off the fence. I want to do it so bad but so nervous to do it. lol Ugh!!
Start with a "Fish Only" saltwater tank with some live rock and live sand. If you have a local fish store nearby, you can buy pre-mixed water to make it easy to do water changes in the beginning.
The crazy thing is I went to both of these stores yeasterday. I do feel aquarium unlimited is the best store in the Hampton roads area, I drive 25 min from Greenbrier area all the time But. Since Legendary aquatic is closer I find myself getting salt water from there. They do have a really nice selection.
+DJ's Reef right on both fronts. I am closest to Animal Adventure
Creative Fish Studio that's a little further from me. Their nice aswell tho
Animal adventure was my go to for my freshwater tanks 👌
No way your in va beach I’m in Yorktown love your videos
That’s awesome. Yorktown is beautiful.
Omg I feel the same way. I'm bout to start mone.
What kind of puffer is that
so with setup , the skimmer , Marine land filter and the wave maker would suffice to keep a 55 gallon in good shape ? or do i have to get a sump which i really dont want to if i can maintain the tank with the over hang setup . thanks for the info
the rock u got with purple already one it is hands down worth it in my opinion, even if u only had that smal amount of rock that already came with the coraline algea on it its well worth it starting the rock with it already on in and purple is very guud luuking rock
+81Kush I agree. Very nice
81Kush
I’m not sure what to do I’m sooooo scared to start a saltwater since I have only done freshwater but I already brought a 75 gallon tank so I can’t go back now
Also be careful with that condy they are the closest thing to Satan in a reef tank, I ended up flushing mine it was such a menace.
i also flushed my condy because it killed all my fish
I want to start a salt water tank. I went to aquarium unlimited in virgin Beach also.
Lucky
What is the name of the white coral
Man I was really waiting to see how much you spent out the door to get it all up and running without the fish of course. That would help me steer in the direction weather I want to do this or not. I have done fresh water for a good while not on a hobbiest level but I have tanks and know how to take care of them and all that. Saltwater and reefs though is a bit frightening to be honest.
+Bearded_Vapor I spent about $500 out the door to get the tank, filter, skimmer, live sand and live rock. In the beginning I used a freshwater LED, but then bought a more expensive one when I wanted to add coral.
Oh that's not to bad at all I was thinking much more. How is it running? Is it still doing well? thanks for the speedy reply brother love the videos keep it up
8:57 you beat the crap out fish
👍
Hey there! What was the total cost for this whole entire setup? (Fish and all)
Around 4000$.
You can do it for a lot less than 4000$. My setup cost about 900$
what skimmer is that?? I like the look of it!
It is the Eshopps PSK-75H Protein Skimmer: amzn.to/2touX4J
Do any of the stores sell on line?
What are all the things you used to filter your tank. I want to start one but I don’t want to buy unnecessary things, im planning to start a 75 gallon btw
I am buying a 75g, would also like to know this. I dont really want a sump.
Hey dude be carefull when it comes down to the puffer and the anemone bc the puffer might pick at it
How much salt I should put for 2 feet Aquarium
I have a baby clownfish a big clownfish and I also have a cleaner shrimp and a 2 striped damsel and I don't like freshwater because they are boring
I love this video
But I also love ❤️ your eyes!
No way! I go to Aquariums Unlimited extremely often!
That's cool. It's a bit of a drive for me, but I go there whenever I can.
Great video, I'm making the jump
Good luck! I hope you enjoy it. I still have both of mine up and running.
What is it that you used to keep your dry rock together? I just started a new tank yesterday (I had a nano tank before) and my rocks all seem stable and well placed but I'm super paranoid of something shifting later on and crushing a fish.
Hi Stephanie. I didn't use anything to hold my rocks together. I just made sure they locked together pretty well. I do have putty that can be used, but I opted not to use it so that I can pull it out to frag corals as needed or rearrange if I didn't like the look.
What ever happened to the Animal Jungle? I used to buy all my fish there, been years ago.
O.O I've never seen an anemone walk before... and I lived on Guam. I'd love to have a little 30 gal with some chromis and a little puffer, starfish and some shrimp and maybe 1 black clown.. I'd love to have a crosshatch trigger but I don't have $840 to spend on one fish. (don't have that period actually) I have no intention of doing the live reef thing though, I'd want to do the planted tank/macroalgae thing just like you see in tide pools. I think if I had a bigger tank I'd have to plan a trip to San Francisco and go catch some wild fish out of the tidepools instead of spending the money on them. That was the best part about living on Guam, if you needed water, coral or fish you just went to the beach.
What's the price difference in price, how much more are you looking to pay?
Be careful with the Condy anemone. They will eat your fish. They are very aggressive. If you're looking for a good anemone to host your clowns I would try a bubble tip. I have one hosting a maroon clown.
Other than that your tank looks great! Happy reefing!
I was thinking the same I always stay away from anenomes except for the bubble tips and rock anenome
I really wanna get a fish tank, so I will start with a 10 gallon with 2 bettas, (divided) but after there gone I wanna use it for a nano reef with a small saltwater fish, preferably damsels
Bettas are definitely some of the easiest fish to care for. Very hardy. A 10 Gallon saltwater nano would be fun, but will require more work to maintain levels because any small change has a larger impact. It's doable though.
How about I start with a triple divided 29 gallon betta, then saltwater?
Tae Tae get a 20 long and get a bunch of female bettas. They can be so beautiful and colourful and are peaceful
Tae Tae If you wanted to try other freshwater fish other than Betta I would recommend Gouramis (don’t mix with Bettas) they’re colorful and are really hardy
I wouldn’t start small for saltwater, start with freshwater, learn the nitrogen cycle and how to care for freshwater properly then when going into saltwater start big, Bc with saltwater you want a bigger tank to have more water volume to manage things if something starts to go wrong (in a 10 gal saltwater tank, if something goes wrong, it will go wrong faaaaast)
I have experience with freshwater tanks, and for a couple years did a saltwater tank but that was about 15 years ago... I have purchased a 55 gallon tank and was debating on whether to go salt or fresh. I am likely going to go fresh, but have a person who wants to trade me his 110 gallon for my 55 gallon... If I go with the 110 gal. am I talking about a ton of extra money to make the move, or should I just stick to the 55 gallon? I haven't begun the tank yet so this is the time to decide.