🚀 go-pugleaf

> I presently have two freshwater aquariums, and I am interested in
> starting a Saltwater aquarium.
> I have a few more questions:  What is an approximate cost for a set-
> up, and is it possible to go on a week vacation and leave the
> aquarium unattended for that length of time?
> Can anyone give me info on how to get started, a good book(s) for
> reference, and a good size tank to get started? 


  I'd like to put my customary plug in for saltwater tanks. Once you've
  sucessfully maintained a saltwater tank, freshwater will seem dull
  and boring. There are A LOT more animals other than fish that you
  can have in a marine tank: shrimp, crabs, starfish, sea urchins, and
  anemones just to name a few. The other thing you will notice about 
  marine fish is that they have so much more personality than fresh 
  water fishes. At night some of them sleep in a little cave or hole
  that they decide to call home. Other like Clown Anemone fished form 
  partnerships with other animals for protection.

  Marine tanks are much more of a challenge but they are so much more 
  rewarding than fresh water. You should think about starting with nothing
  smaller than a 30gal tank. I have a 45gal, it's dimensions are 1' x 1 1/2'
  x 4'. It's perfect for the beginner marine tank. Smaller tanks are more 
  suseptable to sudden imbalances in water chemistry and can really cause
  you problem. I priced out a 45gal setup for a guy here at work. It costs
  about $400 for everything but the coral decorations. Coral can cost antwhere
  from $6 to $25 a piece. I figgured on about $75 for coral. The animals can 
  cost a ton of money, the cheapest being $5 for very common fish to hundreds
  of dollars for more rare breeds. Figure on about $15 - $20 per animal as 
  a ball park figure.

  As far as leaving a marine tank while on vacation, the shorter the vacation
  the better. If you train someone to come in and feed your fish every 
  other day or so, you could leave it for 3 weeks without a problem. Only 
  a reasonably old ( 6 months ) stable tank should be left.

  I know of a really good hanbook ($12), if you write to me I can send 
  you the title and author.

  I would highly recommend getting into marine tanks. They're a ton of fun
  and challenging to the avid aquariast. If you'd like some more info
  drop me a line.

      Gerry Simmons
      14155 177th Ave N.E.
      Redmond, Wa.  98052
      (206) 827-3276

	path = uw-beaver!entropy!dataio!pilchuck!simmons