Newbie - Integrated Fish Tank

I'm researching a new set up for a saltwater tank, between 30 and 40g. I like the look of the tanks with an integrated section at the back for the filter etc. What do you think?

Many thanks Matt, that's really interesting and helpful. I'm currently looking at the Red Sea Max E-170, looks ideal for a beginner, pretty much plug and play but upgradeable as when I'm ready to take more on.

Thanks again, that's very encouraging

It's so different from a freshwater tank, both the setup and ongoing maintenance. I feel this is the ideal saltwater setup for me - I don't feel ready to choose and install the back office stuff, but when I'm ready I can upgrade from the factory settings.

I'm thinking of a dead coral set-up. I know there are good arguments for live coral, but the idea of unwanted visitors in the tank spooks me out. I haven't chosen the initial fish stock or clean up crew yet, looking forward to that. Any suggestions would be most helpful. The Red Sea Max E-170 is 37g, excluding the sump space (which is 8g), so not a huge amount of space for stock.

I'm based in North London. Does anyone have a preferred LFS in the Greater London area? I can order the tank online, but I need somewhere - and lots of advice! - on the coral, sand, substrate and maintenance kit etc.

   

Cheers @Littlefish, good to be on board! 

Welcome to the forum, @Bristlenose

Quote from: Bristlenose on November 03, 2019, 05:12:58 PM

I'm based in North London. Does anyone have a preferred LFS in the Greater London area? I can order the tank online, but I need somewhere - and lots of advice! - on the coral, sand, substrate and maintenance kit etc.

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with London or its fish shops but I do recall another member on here enthusing several years ago about the number of fish shops in/near Crews Hill, if that helps at all.

Cheers @fcmf!

I'll check out the Crews Hill area. I think there used to be a Maidenhead Aquatics there.
 

Cheers @jaypeecee, glad to be here.

I'd be delighted for you guys to join the journey to my first marine tank!

The story so far. I've kept a freshwater tank for more than 20 years, using a Tropiquarium 68 throughout. I fell in love with the hobby after a visit to the London Aquarium. I've kept a variety of community fish, for example, corydoras (albino and bronze), blind cavefish (a particular favourite of mine), Angelfish (white and black), bristlenoses (of course!) and many varieties of tetra. Nothing too complicated. Still love the tank, but it's looking tired these day. The Trop is no longer in production and spare parts are hard or impossible to find.

So I decided to replace the tank. But never got round to it, life took over big time, so here we are with a lightly planted tank with unfixable electronics containing 6 tetras, a blind cavefish and my wonderful (and very active!) Bristlenose.

We moved house recently, and my wife suggested we install a marine tank! Challenge accepted. I began some serious research and quickly discovered it's a very different ballgame to the freshwater variety. For example, the tank will contain a mix of corals, fish and invertebrates. The chemical and salt balance is critical, as is water flow. The equipment is complex (at least to me!), although maintenance seems to be more straightforward than a freshwater tank. Lighting is more complex, and expensive, and the look of the tank - a sort of bluish shade - differs considerably from the "clean" white light of a freshwater tank. There are probably other big issues I haven't discovered yet, the research continues. I have a couple of books, and YouTube is packed with great resources.

We’re having some works done to the house, and a spot for the new tank has been chosen, it’ll be very much on display, so I need to get it right! All being well, probably in the new year, I’ll be installing the tank for the initial cycle. Can’t wait!

I’ll keep you guys in the loop. All suggestions and advice will be gratefully received 😊

I enjoyed reading your story, @Bristlenose - thanks for sharing it with us.

For the remaining tropicals, would you consider a new tank for them? (Presumably/hopefully the filter and heater are still working?!) Perhaps, to take away from its "tired" look, a little aquascaping would give it a new lease of life and reinvigorate your enjoyment of the tank's inhabitants? If so, @Matt will no doubt be happy to help with suggestions (check out his http://scapeeasy.co.uk/ site) and you might even find some inspiration for what you would like from https://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/scaped-for-you-collections-c-255_577.html?zenid=n2qqfuuk0gab4hs6g92ckagqs2 based on size of tank.

Looking forward to hearing how your journey into marine fishkeeping goes. I wouldn't know where to start, and so it's really interesting to learn of the key differences and other aspects from the perspective of a longstanding tropical fishkeeper. 

If you can face driving to Windsor perhaps it might be worth trying the MA/Reefkeeper there. The guys at my (current) local MA say it's the flagship store and is very focused on marines, which is why they changed the name
https://thereefkeeper.co.uk/

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your marine set up. This is very exciting. 

Thanks @Littlefish.

Thanks for the heads up of https://thereefkeeper.co.uk/. The Windsor branch is part of the Maidenhead Aquatics chain of stores, so that’s great. I went to Maidenhead Aquatics to get the freshwater tank all those years ago (at a branch now closed). There’s branch in Wembley (https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/storefinder/wembley/), not too far from where we live. I went there recently on a fact finding mission. They were super helpful. They can source the Red Sea Max E-170, and they gave me good advice on rock type, accessories (salt etc) and initial stocking. All being well, I’ll be getting the kit there, followed by the stock. I don’t know how the Maidenhead Aquatics set-up works (franchises maybe?), but if the stores talk to each other, I may be able to reach out to the Windsor branch if necessary.

So, current position. The house works are nearing completion, so D-Day approaches! The tank location has been chosen (right in there, very much on show), the electrics source is being installed and then we’re good to go. First is to get the tank and rock. Aquascaping next, then the first water cycle begins.  Very excited!!!

Hi @Bristlenose

This is all rather confusing about the MA Windsor marine store. Please check this out with MA directly. I don't think that the 'flagship' MA marine store is actually in Windsor. I believe it's on the outskirts of Bracknell, which is where I live. In fact, I was in this very store earlier this week at Moss End Garden Centre. My understanding is that the MA Windsor store closed down. Clear as mud, eh?

If you do decide to drive over this way, please check me out. We also have a very good independent fishkeeping store less than five miles away that specializes in marine setups. Here it is:

https://www.aquaticaddiction.co.uk

Feel free to PM me.

JPC