Calling Saltwater Aquarium Owners

[neonplanet40]

Hey guys just wondering if we have any about? I know we have tropical fish owners here!

Well im just looking some advice. Ive had a 180Litre freshwater fishtank for about 3 years now. But im going to sell it and move on too saltwater. I know these are harder to keep but i think the fish and sea horses etc are beautiful.

Im going to maybe get a 400L Juwel tank (or do i need a special tank?)

Also a rather silly question. This tank is going upstairs. Is 400 Litres too heavy for the floor and will it fall through?


Just want any feedback or suggestions you guys may have

I will be buying the tank in august / september as i want to sell this one first. Pref with the fish as i dont want to have to just throw them away!



Mark

[Lucio]

Only thing I can answer is the question of weight, 400l of salt water will be approx 420kg, plus whatever the tank and pumps weigh. I wouldn't want to put that kinda weight on a normal floor without being damned sure where the joists were.

[neonplanet40]

awww i take it a joists is like the walls underneath my floor? If so then the tank is going against the wall. And that wall is in the same place as the wall downstairs. Although there mayb be a 1/2 foot difference. If im off the mark i apologise as i dont know much about buildings. Im basically putting the tank in my room. my other tank has been here for near three years. Id say its about half the weight this new one will be.

thanks for your help Lucio

Edit i get what a joist is now. The wooden frames for the floor? How do i find this out? lol. I mean how much does a full bath and a person in it weight? Its upstairs too lol.

[beanbandit]

I know these are harder to keep but i think the fish and sea horses etc are beautiful.

No No No. Seahorses should not be kept by novices, they are very hard to keep, very expensive. If your are going to be keeping marines, start of with easier fish.

Also a rather silly question. This tank is going upstairs. Is 400 Litres too heavy for the floor and will it fall through?

There are ways to do this, but a decent builder will be able to answer better. The weight is going to be massive.

Im going to maybe get a 400L Juwel tank (or do i need a special tank?)

There's nothing wrong with that tank, the Juwels are very good (i have a Rio240) but its all the extra equipment your going to need that will really bump the price up. Some times your better off looking at specialist marine tanks, these come in many flavours but normally come with all the equipment. The tank i was looking at a year or so ago was £2k, it came with all the equipment i needed, included a hidden tank in the stand (the main tank was drilled) as part of the filtration system (forgot the technical name tho)

I hope you have deep pockets, marines can be costly to set up, but are fantastic. Live rock, corals, skimmers, UV filters, RO filters, not all are needed, but on a bigger tank its worth looking at.

If you want to have some fun with a small tank, then have a look here http://www.waterzoo.co.uk/Aquariums /D&D.htm these small tanks seem to be popular.

Before you buy anything though, make sure you've done lots of research.

[HSK]

interesting thread & oh thanks for that link^ , i used to keep fresh water tropical fish in the past, i've been thinking about setting up a tank again, also salt-water this time around...

[Stringent]

I wouldn't get a Juwel for saltwater, the nano cubes are quite popular for a small one. The cost is huge as has been mentioned, plus I don't think you would be too happy to see your new £60 fish floating the next morning. Live rock comes with pest hitch-hikers which can cause problems. Mantis shrimp spring to mind.

However if you get it right, you end up with one heck of a stunning tank and my envy!

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for tyhe repliesa guys. I am willing to spend up to £1500-£1800. I know sea horses are hard to keep. I should have said that they are what i hope to aspire too. I know to keep things small and simple to start of with but i want live reef etc as the years go on.

http://www.rocketaquatics.co.uk/aqua...imfve1tik9voo7

this site has quite a few marine aquariums. Which brand is the best?

Also this Juwel says it comes with everything

http://www.rocketaquatics.co.uk/juwe...net-p-734.html

Its the kind of thing im going for. Is it ok?

Also beanbandit, what do you know about keeping this kind of weight upstairs? Is it possible or not?

Many thanks again for your replies.

Mark

[beanbandit]

Also beanbandit, what do you know about keeping this kind of weight upstairs? Is it possible or not?

See a builder.

I'll comment on the rest tomorrow.

[Stringent]

Hmm upstairs ... all I can think of is the 'what if' factor with a tank upstairs. I have a 70L tank in my sitting room and am always dubious about it cracking. (Shouldn't do its a Juwel from brand new) With a 400L tank that is a lot of weight and I wouldn't be happy with it upstairs. Rather it be downstairs on a concrete floor or something.

I have used these guys lots for my bits and they are very good

http://www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk

[Ferral]

Not forgetting with any tank when it comes to have to do a water change if you are upstairs it is the ferrying back and forth up and down stairs.

Good way to setup he tank initially, get all your salt levels right and have it running for around a month with no livestock in it. Gets the filtration going, try and also get a little algae growing also. Then get a few Damsel Fish and introduce them for about another month. With them being in it helps kick start the eco system and you should be able to start introducing more livestock.

Remember, with marine fish you can only have 1 of certain types of fish. Royal Gramma springs straight to mind.

[Stringent]

Not forgetting with any tank when it comes to have to do a water change if you are upstairs it is the ferrying back and forth up and down stairs.

Most people have a bathroom upstairs you know ...

[listy]

Most people have a bathroom upstairs you know ...

your all so lucky we still have to go to shed @ end of garden lol

[neonplanet40]

Lol yea i uset the bathroom. Ive had a 180L aquarium in my bedroom for three years now which is upstairs. Im trying to get hold of a builder. If i have to put it downstairs i will but would much rather have it in my room!

Im not sure what tank to go for yet.

And im reading about things like a Sump which seems to be another big tank underneath which will add to the water weight even more. So it may end up having to be in the dining room downstairs. But like i said i wont be getting this till after my holiday which is at the end of august. So lets say end of september time. Ill have about £1500. And would like a 400L tank. Pref energy efficient too