New to salt water fish

Hi everyone. I'm new to salt water fish and would like to get some advice. I have a Marineland H.O.T. magnum 250H filter that was given to me. I would like to know any information on how big of a tank I can go with this filter and information on starting a salt water tank. I do have a 55 gal tank that I would like to start off with and see how things go.

Welcome! I've never used a canister filter so I can't offer much help there. First thing I would look into is a good protein skimmer and some live rock and sand. Check out wetwebmedia.com and do lots of reading. There's a lot more to keeping a saltwater tank than can be really typed here. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Lots of helpful people here.

Good size tank, have fun with it. the link below has alot of good reviews. http://www.marinedepot.com/Marineland_H.O.T._Magnum_250_Canister_Filter_HOB_Power_Filters_for_Tanks_Over_30_Gallons-Instant_Ocean-AS3611-FIFRHBTO-vi.html

yea thats the one I have. What next should I invest in now that I have the tank and filter.

ritter678 wrote: First thing I would look into is a good protein skimmer and some live rock and sand.

Also you'll need test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. How will you be making salt water? You will need salt mix, hydrometer or refractometer, reverse osmosis/deionized water.

ritter678 wrote:

ritter678 wrote: First thing I would look into is a good protein skimmer and some live rock and sand.

Also you'll need test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. How will you be making salt water? You will need salt mix, hydrometer or refractometer, reverse osmosis/deionized water.

Alright thanks im going to the fish store tomorrow to pick up these things. Anything else I might need while im there?

I found a Das Ex-2 Protein Skimmer on craigslist for $100. Do yall think this will work for me or will it be to big for what I have. They guy said he had it on a 220 gallon tank and retail for $400.

From the experiences I've read, it's always better to go bigger on the skimmer that what you really need if you can afford it. One, it will handle a higher bio-load, and two, when you upgrade your tank, and trust me, you probably will, you won't have to buy all new equipment.

I don't know anything about the Das skimmers though.

RO/DI water is a must. I've found a GREAT source in Longview if you're not going to make your own saltwater, however, if you make the water changes that you should, it's gonna be cheaper to just purchase the RO/DI system as soon as you can.

Lots of great peeps here with lots of experience so keep asking the questions.

Alright thanks guys going to the fish store tomorrw ill post what I get and hopefully start building my first tank soon.

Hey there and welcome to the forums! I'm about the start up my first saltwater tank too. I also saw another member suggest that you invest in a protein skimmer, with in that size of a tank I would definitely consider!
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I work at the Dallas Fish Gallery, you should stop in and see what we have in stock to you!

Texas Gypsy wrote:Hey there and welcome to the forums! I'm about the start up my first saltwater tank too. I also saw another member suggest that you invest in a protein skimmer, with in that size of a tank I would definitely consider!
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I work at the Dallas Fish Gallery, you should stop in and see what we have in stock to you!

I was there on tuesday and was planing on coming in today but had alot of things to do. I ended up getting a protein skimmer today off craigslist and am now looking for a 90 gallon tank. Hopefully I can get some more stuff this weekend and get my tank set up.

When you guys get everything setup and started you should start a thread over in the Tank Build thread so we can watch your progress. Plus I find it interesting to see how things change and grow.

Yuma wrote:When you guys get everything setup and started you should start a thread over in the Tank Build thread so we can watch your progress. Plus I find it interesting to see how things change and grow.

yea that's what my plan is. I think for the most part I know what direction I'm headed in. Thanks for the help everyone I'll make a build topic soon.

I definitely will. Like I was telling him, I also have never had or experienced a saltwater tank... so I will be annoying with the picture posting and thread write ups lol!

That will be great. Some great folks on here that have helped me immensely, hopefully I can pass on some of the things that I have learned in the past few months to others.

Looking forward to watching your progress.

Bring it on Texas Gypsy!! The tank builds are my favorite threads to watch.

Roger that!

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