Setting up a Tank

Question
Hi, I am thinking of getting an Aquarium. I can't make up my
mind on which one to get, the salt water one or the fresh
water one. So far, I have looked at both the setups and the
fish species and I find the salt water species are more vast
and colorful. But heard its also too costly to setup
saltwater tank. I am thinking of getting atleast 30 small to
medium size fishes all of different species each of 2 to 3
pairs. I need to know what should be the size of the tank
and what are the basic things that I require to setup a new
Tank. What is the expected maintenance cost of your
saltwater aquarium. What electrical stuffs are required
inorder to setup the tank using regular tools, plumping
tools, Lighting, skimmers etc. How to safely and quickly
estblish a tank, to minimize the loss of marine life.
what should be the... Nitrate, Ammonia, Salinity/S.G.,
Temperature, pH, Calcium, Alk??

Answer
Hey Chris,

I changed the message to public so that others may read your questions and my answers.

you have good questions, but I dont think i am setup to answer all of them in one sitting.  It would be a book, and as of yet, I have not written one yet at least not in one sitting.

I would say that setting up and learning what you ned to know is WAY more involved with a saltwater tank then a freshwater tank.  BUT, after a tank is setup and established for about a year, it becomes super simple to maintain, almost to the point of boredom... YOu may miss the excitement and apprehension you felt when starting up, at least I do a little bit...

If you are 'handy' and can maybe add a light switch or ceiling fan, or install sprinklers in your yard or just fix them, then you can handle a saltwater tank.

I kno many folks who cant even do that, but yet they have beautiful tanks..

The more hands on and involved you get the better.  That is how i got to be here.

As for putting lots of fish into the tank, thats not what saltwater tanks are about... that is more of a look of fresh water.. Most saltwater tanks have corals, and the problem or balance to be achieved is the balance of fish poo and corals, cant have both...

It is best to try to achieve the balance that will let your tank stay as clean as possible for as long as posible, and hopefully your tank will grwo it's own food for itslf and becomea self contained biosphere...  but, in reality that isnt possible, so we need to clean and maintan and suppliment as necessary..

I suggest you check out the following link and do some research instead of me trying to 'tell you'

if you have questions that cant be answered there or in other research, i can try to address those specific quieries.

thanks so much, I hope to hear from you to find out what you end up doing, salt or fresh...

good luck


bill