Anybody have a Salt Water Fish Tank?

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Corbin

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I’m looking at getting something like a 200 gallon tank.

Yes I know, I’ve watched a lot of YouTube vids and thinking of starting with the bigger one.

Anybody else have any tips or cool fish they’d recommend?

I want to get some live corral and anemones to.
 

Selassie I

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I’m looking at getting something like a 200 gallon tank.

Yes I know, I’ve watched a lot of YouTube vids and thinking of starting with the bigger one.

Anybody else have any tips or cool fish they’d recommend?

I want to get some live corral and anemones to.


I have a 300 gallon salt water tank... and one of my sons has a reef tank.

I've had a tank since I was 6 yrs old and caught all of my own fish back in Hawaii.

Write me a list of questions and I'll be happy to help.
 

Selassie I

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Here's my most recent recent addition.

Australian Harlequin Tusk Wrasse. He's almost a foot long.


image000000.webp.jpg
 

Corbin

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I think @Selassie I has a screensaver of a fish tank on his tv, that he’s always posting pics of.
Seriously? Lmao That's actually not the worst idea ever outside of Selassie having Brady in his Bucs jersey as a screensaver! :laugh2:
I have a 300 gallon salt water tank... and one of my sons has a reef tank.

I've had a tank since I was 6 yrs old and caught all of my own fish back in Hawaii.

Write me a list of questions and I'll be happy to help.
That's freaking bad ass!

Always wanted a tank but never got around to it and now I'm going out and grabbing all the info so I can start ordering the equipment it seems I'm overwhelmed with information and contradictory information at that. For example, I've watched multiple vids saying it's better to start small, but other reputable people say start large at intended tank since it's not as easy to mess up with all that water etc.

What is a better filter? I've seen some swear up and down by a cannister filter others a reverse osmosis filter?

In general I don't mind splurging a bit to get something really nice that makes you smile when you see it but also know some places sell at a premium where you can get the same or similar product from someone else at a reasonable price. Do you have a go to with your tank/equipment/fish?

I kind of wanted a reef tank with anemones etc. with some cool fish. What are your thoughts?
Here's my most recent recent addition.

Australian Harlequin Tusk Wrasse. He's almost a foot long.


View attachment 66153
Haha that bastard looks mean!

I heard those Parrot fish will attack you on the reef and if you get them in your tank the same thing?

Sorry I think I was drinking this night and forgot that I posted it or something! haha

Cheers bro!
 

Selassie I

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Seriously? Lmao That's actually not the worst idea ever outside of Selassie having Brady in his Bucs jersey as a screensaver! :laugh2:

That's freaking bad ass!

Always wanted a tank but never got around to it and now I'm going out and grabbing all the info so I can start ordering the equipment it seems I'm overwhelmed with information and contradictory information at that. For example, I've watched multiple vids saying it's better to start small, but other reputable people say start large at intended tank since it's not as easy to mess up with all that water etc.

What is a better filter? I've seen some swear up and down by a cannister filter others a reverse osmosis filter?

In general I don't mind splurging a bit to get something really nice that makes you smile when you see it but also know some places sell at a premium where you can get the same or similar product from someone else at a reasonable price. Do you have a go to with your tank/equipment/fish?

I kind of wanted a reef tank with anemones etc. with some cool fish. What are your thoughts?

Haha that bastard looks mean!

I heard those Parrot fish will attack you on the reef and if you get them in your tank the same thing?

Sorry I think I was drinking this night and forgot that I posted it or something! haha

Cheers bro!


I'll try and answer these for you later today.
 

Selassie I

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Seriously? Lmao That's actually not the worst idea ever outside of Selassie having Brady in his Bucs jersey as a screensaver! :laugh2:

That's freaking bad ass!

Always wanted a tank but never got around to it and now I'm going out and grabbing all the info so I can start ordering the equipment it seems I'm overwhelmed with information and contradictory information at that. For example, I've watched multiple vids saying it's better to start small, but other reputable people say start large at intended tank since it's not as easy to mess up with all that water etc.

What is a better filter? I've seen some swear up and down by a cannister filter others a reverse osmosis filter?

In general I don't mind splurging a bit to get something really nice that makes you smile when you see it but also know some places sell at a premium where you can get the same or similar product from someone else at a reasonable price. Do you have a go to with your tank/equipment/fish?

I kind of wanted a reef tank with anemones etc. with some cool fish. What are your thoughts?

Haha that bastard looks mean!

I heard those Parrot fish will attack you on the reef and if you get them in your tank the same thing?

Sorry I think I was drinking this night and forgot that I posted it or something! haha

Cheers bro!


The 1st decision needs to be if you want live coral or fish...

Most of the fish you'll want to have are NOT reef safe because they will eat your corals. You can get some fish that are reef safe, but they're not the ones most would consider cool.

Anemones are super cool. Just know that you won't be able to add one in a tank that hasn't been running for about 12 months if you expect for it to live. Plus... they are very pricey, especially the cool ones.

Corals (soft and hard) are expensive. My son has a very nice set-up made by Innovative Marine and it's only 40 gallons. It comes with the entire filtration system already installed in the back of the tank. You'll need to buy a light that can keep coral alive and expect to pay about 400 - 500 dollars for a tank that size for the light. You'll also have to buy an ATO (Automatic Top Off) but those aren't very expensive. That company also makes a very nice cabinet you can buy to fit the tank perfectly, but it is sold separately because some people may put the tank on something else.

Bigger reef tanks are more forgiving with water parameters, but filling one up with coral so that it doesn't look like a desert will cost BIG money. My son's 40 gallon cost him a pretty penny too to fill, but nothing like one my size would cost. He has thousands of dollars worth in his. They are beautiful to look at, but I find reef tanks to be more like having a garden that you have to constantly care for.

I am a fish lover over the live corals. Saltwater fish are expensive too depending on what you like. If you're going to go the fish route don't go smaller than a 55 and that is too small for many of the cooler fish. A 125 would be the minimum size I'd recommend.

Cannister filters are NOT what you want for salt. You'll want to get a sump filter under the tank, a skimmer, and a huge UV filter/light at minimum. I have 2 large pumps under mine that could run a small swimming pool. My tank is on the large range though and most shops don't carry stuff big enough for my needs. Don't skimp on the filtration. My tank has built-in returns so that it can go right up against a wall pretty much... I strongly recommend getting a tank like that. My son's is basically like that too. Lightning for my tank costs a lot more because it requires multiple lights that are much stronger to light deeper water.

You'll also have to pay for the sand and the structures you decide to add. Those aren't cheap if you want something cool. I think the piece my son bought for his cost $600... but it's perfect for his tank and was designed to add the coral on. The bigger you go... the more you're gonna have to pay.

I have mine serviced and I believe it saves me money compared to doing it myself. My son does his own because the water changes don't require near the gallons as mine.

Check out that system my son has. It's very nice and it's not over the top expensive. There are a few cheaper brands that have similar products, but I would pay a little more for quality. It's a great set-up for corals. Especially for a first time person.

Mine is not a beginner size. Most people are more than happy with a 125 - 150 for fish. I wouldn't go smaller because some of the fish you'll really want need at least that much room to survive. That size tank seems giant for most people and it is still affordable for maintenance. My 300 takes up a LOT of space and it's not a cheap toy. You can always go bigger down the road if you get addicted like me.
 
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Corbin

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Shit that is a lot of valuable information that I haven’t gotten close to receiving on a lot of the YouTube videos I’ve seen. Thank you!

Yeah honestly I think now I’m leaning more on the 125-150 gallon side tbh.

Had no idea about fish that eat coral on a consistent basis so I’m Going to have to do more research to find some pretty cool fish. Always been obsessed with the coral, Anemones, and the like and want to get some of those eels to! Haha

Shit, building a stable ecosystem is more difficult than I thought!

Have to get me several Ram colored Angelfishes of course! lol
 

Corbin

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The 1st decision needs to be if you want live coral or fish...

Most of the fish you'll want to have are NOT reef safe because they will eat your corals. You can get some fish that are reef safe, but they're not the ones most would consider cool.

Anemones are super cool. Just know that you won't be able to add one in a tank that hasn't been running for about 12 months if you expect for it to live. Plus... they are very pricey, especially the cool ones.

Corals (soft and hard) are expensive. My son has a very nice set-up made by Innovative Marine and it's only 40 gallons. It comes with the entire filtration system already installed in the back of the tank. You'll need to buy a light that can keep coral alive and expect to pay about 400 - 500 dollars for a tank that size for the light. You'll also have to buy an ATO (Automatic Top Off) but those aren't very expensive. That company also makes a very nice cabinet you can buy to fit the tank perfectly, but it is sold separately because some people may put the tank on something else.

Bigger reef tanks are more forgiving with water parameters, but filling one up with coral so that it doesn't look like a desert will cost BIG money. My son's 40 gallon cost him a pretty penny too to fill, but nothing like one my size would cost. He has thousands of dollars worth in his. They are beautiful to look at, but I find reef tanks to be more like having a garden that you have to constantly care for.

I am a fish lover over the live corals. Saltwater fish are expensive too depending on what you like. If you're going to go the fish route don't go smaller than a 55 and that is too small for many of the cooler fish. A 125 would be the minimum size I'd recommend.

Cannister filters are NOT what you want for salt. You'll want to get a sump filter under the tank, a skimmer, and a huge UV filter/light at minimum. I have 2 large pumps under mine that could run a small swimming pool. My tank is on the large range though and most shops don't carry stuff big enough for my needs. Don't skimp on the filtration. My tank has built-in returns so that it can go right up against a wall pretty much... I strongly recommend getting a tank like that. My son's is basically like that too. Lightning for my tank costs a lot more because it requires multiple lights that are much stronger to light deeper water.

You'll also have to pay for the sand and the structures you decide to add. Those aren't cheap if you want something cool. I think the piece my son bought for his cost $600... but it's perfect for his tank and was designed to add the coral on. The bigger you go... the more you're gonna have to pay.

I have mine serviced and I believe it saves me money compared to doing it myself. My son does his own because the water changes don't require near the gallons as mine.

Check out that system my son has. It's very nice and it's not over the top expensive. There are a few cheaper brands that have similar products, but I would pay a little more for quality. It's a great set-up for corals. Especially for a first time person.

Mine is not a beginner size. Most people are more than happy with a 125 - 150 for fish. I wouldn't go smaller because some of the fish you'll really want need at least that much room to survive. That size tank seems giant for most people and it is still affordable for maintenance. My 300 takes up a LOT of space and it's not a cheap toy. You can always go bigger down the road if you get addicted like me.
I’ll be writing back to you as I start piercing this shit together.
 

Selassie I

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Shit that is a lot of valuable information that I haven’t gotten close to receiving on a lot of the YouTube videos I’ve seen. Thank you!

Yeah honestly I think now I’m leaning more on the 125-150 gallon side tbh.

Had no idea about fish that eat coral on a consistent basis so I’m Going to have to do more research to find some pretty cool fish. Always been obsessed with the coral, Anemones, and the like and want to get some of those eels to! Haha

Shit, building a stable ecosystem is more difficult than I thought!

Have to get me several Ram colored Angelfishes of course! lol


This isn't a pic of mine, but I have a better looking one than this. It's a Queen Angelfish. Mine is about a foot long. Sports Ram colors...


3379291_4x3.jpg
 

Memento

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Good luck, Corbin!

@Selassie I , When are you going to cook the grouper for eating your poor eel? (No, I'm totally not bitter because I love eels and even got a moray stuffed animal from Amazon with my birthday money. Not bitter in the slightest. :p )
 

Selassie I

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Good luck, Corbin!

@Selassie I , When are you going to cook the grouper for eating your poor eel? (No, I'm totally not bitter because I love eels and even got a moray stuffed animal from Amazon with my birthday money. Not bitter in the slightest. :p )


You don't know how bad that I wish I could have eaten that fat fucking grouper. Not because he ate the 3.5 foot eel, but because he would have been so delicious.

However...

I couldn't eat him because I had raised him in water that I had added copper into. That was to prevent lots of diseases fish can die from. Back then, I was still adding copper to my water. It would have prisoned me if I ate it. Copper also prevents you from having coral or even invertebrates in your tank (like shrimp or crabs).

That grouper (Bumblebee Grouper) was 35 pounds when I got rid of him.

I no longer add copper to my water because I decided to start keeping inverts along with my fish.
 

Memento

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You don't know how bad that I wish I could have eaten that fat fucking grouper. Not because he ate the 3.5 foot eel, but because he would have been so delicious.

However...

I couldn't eat him because I had raised him in water that I had added copper into. That was to prevent lots of diseases fish can die from. Back then, I was still adding copper to my water. It would have prisoned me if I ate it. Copper also prevents you from having coral or even invertebrates in your tank (like shrimp or crabs).

That grouper (Bumblebee Grouper) was 35 pounds when I got rid of him.

I no longer add copper to my water because I decided to start keeping inverts along with my fish.

I almost don't care if it would've poisoned me; I would've eaten the fucking thing (fillets only, though; bones bother me when it comes to fish) on principle for eating your eel.
 

Selassie I

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I almost don't care if it would've poisoned me; I would've eaten the fucking thing (fillets only, though; bones bother me when it comes to fish) on principle for eating your eel.


Poisoned isn't the best description. It would have killed anyone who ate it.

So NO !
 

Corbin

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This isn't a pic of mine, but I have a better looking one than this. It's a Queen Angelfish. Mine is about a foot long. Sports Ram colors...


View attachment 66455
Fucking love how that one looks and you say yours looks better and is a fricking foot?! Haha I can't wait!
Good luck, Corbin!

@Selassie I , When are you going to cook the grouper for eating your poor eel? (No, I'm totally not bitter because I love eels and even got a moray stuffed animal from Amazon with my birthday money. Not bitter in the slightest. :p )
Thank you appreciate it! This is going to be a fun process! Looking for tanks right now.
 

Selassie I

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Fucking love how that one looks and you say yours looks better and is a fricking foot?! Haha I can't wait!

Thank you appreciate it! This is going to be a fun process! Looking for tanks right now.


Angelfish EAT coral.