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Newbie: New Marine Tank.

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Gary

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Nov 3, 2004, 4:37:27 PM11/3/04
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Hello,

New to the group AND marine fishkeeping!

I had a fairly small marine aquarium installed about 45 minutes ago, the
local fish shop installed and filled with water, added the salt and setup
the filter etc. I am hoping to find someone to maintain on a monthly basis
for me, I will pay of course, however I would also like ot know what's what!
:)

I purchased the tank not knowing anything and trusted the local fish shop to
give me a "good setup" for the four or five fish I want to keep.

The aquarium measures:
30 inch length x 12 inch wide x 18 inch deep.

The only filter installed is a Penn-Plax Cascade 700 Canister Filter.

The base in the tank isnt sand, it appears to be crushed coral or crushed
shells.

Not sure what kind of lighting tube is installed, printed on the tube it
says Sylvania Standard F18W 154-T8 daylight.

Anyway, looking for any info on the above equipment, is it any good? Does
the filter I have deal with this "Chloramine"?

I paid £330 GBP for all the equipment and setup I am advised to add living
rock in 4 or 5 days and then marine fish in a few weeks.

--
Regards,

Gary.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Visit Tigger's site and read his story.
Browse photos of all our cats - Tigger, Tootsie and Tango.
http://www.cutecats.co.uk
---------------------------------------------------------------


Gary

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Nov 3, 2004, 4:46:46 PM11/3/04
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Forgot to say,

This is the exact tank I got, a Juwel Rekord 96:
http://www.edkins.com/juwel-aquariums/rekord._aquarium_and_stand.jpg

I think this has a second filter in a black box which I didnt spot!

--
Regards,

Gary.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Visit Tigger's site and read his story.
Browse photos of all our cats - Tigger, Tootsie and Tango.
http://www.cutecats.co.uk
---------------------------------------------------------------

"Gary" <g...@g.com> wrote in message
news:rccid.6171$up1...@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

Timothy Ellis

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Nov 3, 2004, 4:51:27 PM11/3/04
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>Gary - Nov 3, 1:37 pm

>
>Hello,
>
>New to the group AND marine fishkeeping!

<snip>

I don't really know much (anything) about keeping a reef tank, but I
have a few friends that are really into it, and they've actually got a
product that they sell for helping to maintain salt water aquariums.
It's called the ReefKeeper, and it costs just $219 (US). I don't
really get all the features that it does, but I'm sure that stuff like
"wavemaker," "softstart," and "sure-on" mean something to the kind of
people that keep these tanks. I'm told that it's a pretty good price
for all the features it has.

Anyway, I'm not affiliated with these guys in a business sense (I won't
make any money if you buy one), but you should check out their website
here: http://www.digitalaquatics.com/

If you do buy one though, you should tell them that Tim sent you.
They'll get a kick out of that. (...and don't I wish I would get a
kick-back out of it!)

Gary

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Nov 3, 2004, 4:55:47 PM11/3/04
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Hi Tim,

Thought you were going for the hard sale!!!
Thanks for the link, going to have a look. I am in Edinburgh, Scotland - so
may be too far away!!!.

--
Regards,

Gary.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Visit Tigger's site and read his story.
Browse photos of all our cats - Tigger, Tootsie and Tango.
http://www.cutecats.co.uk
---------------------------------------------------------------

"Timothy Ellis" <timoth...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1099518687....@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

Ole Rasmussen

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Nov 4, 2004, 6:28:22 AM11/4/04
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"Gary" <g...@g.com> skrev i en meddelelse
news:Dtcid.6199$up1....@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

> Hi Tim,
>
> Thought you were going for the hard sale!!!
> Thanks for the link, going to have a look. I am in Edinburgh, Scotland -
> so may be too far away!!!.

Gary, now is the point in wich you need to pace down, take a deep breathe
and ask your self a single question - do I need this ? No, you don't! The
reefkeeper system is no doubt nice to have - if you own a 100+ gallon tank
which needs several pumps and other tech stuff... but you don't have all
this ! As the LFS told you, put in some LR in a 5-7 days, put in 20 kg or
so. Let the tank cycle for 4-6 weeks. If you have the money, buy yourself a
testkit for nitrate and test the tank twice a week, when nitrate gets below
1 start thinking about what you want in the tank. (Maybe you have to put in
some snails/hermits to control the algae efter approx 2 weeks - just do
that). Think about the fish/other inhabitants you want for 1-2 weeks, then
go buy 1! fish and put it in the tank. When it's been there for 1 week and
are taking food, add 1-2 more fishes to the tank, and let it run for a
looooong time (3-6 months) before thinking of adding more fish....
You might run into trouble that requires you to buy certain fish (a tang to
eat green algae or a scooter to battle planaria), and that's why I wan't you
to keep calm about the purchase af fish - if you get too many fish in the
tank too fast, there's no way out of it other than starting all over again
!!!!!!!
Don't think all this crap makes it too difficult, just think about
everything twice, and you'll have that tank for years of pleasure :-)

Regards,
Ole


GW

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Nov 4, 2004, 7:13:16 AM11/4/04
to
Again thanks for your advice! :)

Money is no issue at all, I am happy to spend £1,000s on this - I love fish
(and pets in general), and dont mind spending to enjoy the hobby to its
fullest. My only problem was space, hence the small tank :(.
I keep reading about "protein skimmers", I dont think my LFS has mentioned
one to me. Should I get one? And this cool toy -
http://www.digitalaquatics.com/ - is it worth having for my tank? I know
you say I dont need it, but if it will make my life easier, and help with my
first tank then I will definately get one from somewhere.

Thanks again :)

Gary.


Ole Rasmussen

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Nov 4, 2004, 10:56:05 AM11/4/04
to
"GW" <ga...@garywhittle.co.uk> skrev i en meddelelse
news:cmd6c3$gvv$1$8302...@news.demon.co.uk...

If money is no issue for you, pls. send some my way ;-).

In a small tank as yours you need a skimmer! a small plastic skimmer with an
airpump is sufficient for your tank. About the electronics - if you have the
money, go buy one, it'll sure make it easier for you. But if you have an
urge to spend some money, put it in lighting instead - by upgrading your
lights to halides you'll be able to maintain sufficient lightings to keep
stony corals in your tank - thus giving you a much wider range of corals to
choose from.

Good luck :-)

Ole


Ole Rasmussen

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Nov 4, 2004, 11:37:56 AM11/4/04
to
"Ole Rasmussen" <ole@(removethis)vandborgnet.dk> skrev i en meddelelse
news:418a510c$0$182$edfa...@dtext01.news.tele.dk...

>
> If money is no issue for you, pls. send some my way ;-).
>
Forgot to tell that the total cost of my 80 liter tank was about 6-700 US$,
and when I sold it I got $300 for it..... so spending thousands of £!! on a
tank of that size is... uhm.... insane ? Try using your money in some other
more meaningfull way - ie. saving them for the day you have the space for a
bigger tank :-).

/Ole


GW

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Nov 4, 2004, 12:26:33 PM11/4/04
to

> Forgot to tell that the total cost of my 80 liter tank was about 6-700
> US$,
> and when I sold it I got $300 for it..... so spending thousands of £!! on
> a tank of that size is... uhm.... insane ? Try using your money in some
> other more meaningfull way - ie. saving them for the day you have the
> space for a bigger tank :-).

I wont go OTT, to summerise I now plan to in this order:

- Get a good Protein Skimmer
- Upgrade to best light
- Add the live rock in about a week
- Order one of those cool electromonitor thingies (are they easy to
install?)
- If all goes well, and after seeking advice from the pro's, add two clown
fish with one of those funny anoenomewhatever living planty thingies!
- Take a back seat, enjoy what I have done and think about whats next!


Sorry about the spelling, im at work and have just tanked a bottle of red,
naughty me!!!

Gary :)


bassett

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Nov 6, 2004, 1:31:01 AM11/6/04
to
You know I read all these plans, about what your getting, and what you think
you need, or what someone's told you, you need, Then you go on about an
unlimited cash flow, And I just shake my head, in disbelief over your
stupidity
I,ve kept fish for over 40 years, and I still loose the odd fish, no
reason, might be old age, But the only time I ever got my fingers burnt
was when I attempted to venture into Marine Fish keeping.
And at that time, I was well in with a Marine aquarium, that kept Dolphins
and Sharks. So I guess they knew what to do.
But the list of requirements was endless, and so was the requirements
to keep things as they should be. So if your so intent on having a bang-up
super duper marine display.. Hire a set-up that is maintained by a
professional, he will supply everything, and you pay a set fee at the end of
the month. If not, spend a packet, and I guarantee you , that
in about 3 months or less, Your fish will be dead, your coral will be dead,
and you well be stuck with a tank and a pile of junk, and your cash flow
will also be dead..
bassett

Gary wrote,,,,

Gary

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Nov 6, 2004, 4:43:49 AM11/6/04
to
"bassett" <bas...@bassettskennell.com> wrote in message
news:418c...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

> You know I read all these plans, about what your getting, and what you
> think
> you need, or what someone's told you, you need, Then you go on about an
> unlimited cash flow, And I just shake my head, in disbelief over your
> stupidity

What a lovely and helpful response. I would not consider myself stupid -
far from it, and at no point did I mention to have an unlimited cash flow.

> I,ve kept fish for over 40 years, and I still loose the odd fish, no
> reason, might be old age, But the only time I ever got my fingers burnt
> was when I attempted to venture into Marine Fish keeping.
> And at that time, I was well in with a Marine aquarium, that kept Dolphins
> and Sharks. So I guess they knew what to do.
> But the list of requirements was endless, and so was the requirements
> to keep things as they should be.

Something I have been well aware of for a long time.

> So if your so intent on having a bang-up
> super duper marine display.. Hire a set-up that is maintained by a
> professional, he will supply everything, and you pay a set fee at the end
> of
> the month. If not, spend a packet, and I guarantee you , that
> in about 3 months or less, Your fish will be dead, your coral will be
> dead,
> and you well be stuck with a tank and a pile of junk, and your cash flow
> will also be dead..

Read my last post to the group, subject of "Tank Management" and look out
for this paragraph:
"I have arranged for one of the other LFS in my area to visit in the morning
and take over the management of the tank, I want to sit back and watch them
do it the first time around and maybe if I get a second tank I can use my
new found knowledge."

I have already realised that there is far too much for me to do this first
time around, and I am well aware that the chances of doing it properly on my
own are slim. This is why I have decided to let my local marine specialist
do the lot for me. I wont be touching this setup, I will feed the fish that
nothing else.

> Gary wrote,,,,
> Money is no issue at all, I am happy to spend Ł1,000s on this - I love
> fish

Looks what's the real issue here? The fact remains I do love pets!!! I
have three lovely cats, in my last house I had two large freshwater tanks -
and loved the hobby. When I buy a house with a garden, it has always been
my plan to have an aviary and keep tropical birds.

Try and chill our for crying out loud, its people like you that make
participating in these groups questionable.

Gary.


miskairal

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Nov 6, 2004, 8:50:16 PM11/6/04
to
Gary wrote:

>
> Looks what's the real issue here? The fact remains I do love pets!!! I
> have three lovely cats, in my last house I had two large freshwater tanks -
> and loved the hobby. When I buy a house with a garden, it has always been
> my plan to have an aviary and keep tropical birds.

>
> Gary.
>
Please Gary,
Make it a big aviary so the birds have room to fly. I'm so sick of
seeing poor birds in cages and even aviaries (those stupid little square
things) and they can't fly. My aviaries are 6 metres long and that's
still not long enough. Amongst other native Aussie parrots I have
quarrions/cockatiels which also are native to my district and they fly
around and I see my poor aviary bred birds who can't fly as far and fast.

If I were a millionaire.....


Gary

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Nov 7, 2004, 2:54:33 AM11/7/04
to
> Please Gary,
> Make it a big aviary so the birds have room to fly. I'm so sick of seeing
> poor birds in cages and even aviaries (those stupid little square things)
> and they can't fly. My aviaries are 6 metres long and that's still not
> long enough. Amongst other native Aussie parrots I have
> quarrions/cockatiels which also are native to my district and they fly
> around and I see my poor aviary bred birds who can't fly as far and fast.

I would definately get a large aviary - but anything bigger than a shoebox
here in Edinburgh would be less cramped than the pet shops. I know its sad
to keep birds in small cages, so I would feel very happy to bring them home
to something much bigger.

G.


bassett

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Nov 6, 2004, 10:29:50 PM11/6/04
to
So it would seem my analyses was correct in every detail,
I hope your happy with your new set-up, providing the management is up to
scratch..
But your the one who prattled on about money , not being an issue, How does
it go about "Money and fools soon parting."

I liked your comment about keeping tropical birds in Edinburgh,
Life expectancy, would be even less then your fish, I happen to know that
part of the world rather well, Having worked at Airdrie [excuse the
spelling] many years ago, installing a Whiskey Malting's. and I have never
ever been so bloody cold. Truly , your part of the world would be the
Arsehole of the planet.

And for the record, I live in Tropical Northern Australia, where if it drops
below 28 degree's Centigrade, we light the fire.

bassett

"Gary" <g...@g.com> wrote in message

news:p11jd.8119$up1...@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...


> "bassett" <bas...@bassettskennell.com> wrote in message
> news:418c...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > You know I read all these plans, about what your getting, and what you
think you need, or what someone's told you, you need, Then you go on about
an unlimited cash flow, And I just shake my head, in disbelief over your
stupidity

****** What a lovely and helpful response. I would not consider myself


stupid - far from it, and at no point did I mention to have an unlimited
cash flow.

> > I,ve kept fish for over 40 years, and I still loose the odd fish, no
> > reason, might be old age, But the only time I ever got my fingers
burnt was when I attempted to venture into Marine Fish keeping.
And at that time, I was well in with a Marine aquarium, that kept Dolphins
and Sharks. So I guess they knew what to do.
> > But the list of requirements was endless, and so was the requirements
to keep things as they should be.
>

***** Something I have been well aware of for a long time.


>
> > So if your so intent on having a bang-up super duper marine display..
Hire a set-up that is maintained by a professional, he will supply
everything, and you pay a set fee at the end of the month. If not, spend a
packet, and I guarantee you , that in about 3 months or less, Your fish
will be dead, your coral will be dead, and you well be stuck with a tank
and a pile of junk, and your cash flow will also be dead..

**** Read my last post to the group, subject of "Tank Management" and look

Gary

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Nov 8, 2004, 11:09:23 AM11/8/04
to
> I liked your comment about keeping tropical birds in Edinburgh,
> Life expectancy, would be even less then your fish, I happen to know that
> part of the world rather well, Having worked at Airdrie [excuse the
> spelling] many years ago, installing a Whiskey Malting's.

<SNIP>

My friends well established 'garden hut turned aviary' tells me otherwise.
He is an expert bird keeper and looses very few, I take inspiration from him
and would use him for helpful advice.

Gary.


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