arsfish

I am thinking of setting up a saltwater tank. I currently have a freshwater tank, but I am planning to shut it down when my fish die. I am thinking about keeping a long-nosed butterfly fish with a spiny puffer. Will these fish be good together? I have heard that butterflyfish are very hard to feed. What should I feed the butterflyfish? Will the puffer eat the same thing? If not, what should I feed the puffer? How big of a tank do I need? What equipment will I need to set up the tank? How much salt should I use, and when do I add more? What conditions would the fish survive in (pH, density, amonia, nitrate)? Do I need any plastic plants or coral? Should I use sand as the substrate? I basically need to know everything about setting up the tank.

enthusiast

No offense, but if you basically need to know everything about setting up a saltwater tank, then you shouldnt set one up at all.

these tanks can be expensive to keep and very expensive depending on the size of tank. Theres salt you have to buy in bulk and keep on hand and add to every new partial water change. The chemistry of a saltwater tank is very vast from a freshwater.

you definately need to read up much much more about doing this before even contemplating it!

sgould

Enthusiast has made a valid point, but perhaps a bit too strongly. It is important to research thoroughly before taking on a SW tank, both for your own financial interest as well as the good of the creatures you plan to keep. However, you are on the right path by asking questions before just jumping in. Don't get discouraged...keep digging to see if a salt tank is right for you. But also don't get impatient and throw together a tank before you understand what you are getting into.

Here is a starting point. Read this link for general info on setting up the physical tank itself. It will give you an idea of the equipment involved so you can get a feel for the costs as well as the work required. Read through it then come back with questions about anything equipment or setup related that you don't understand. Once you have a better grasp of all that, then you'll be in a better position to start researching specific fish species...which we can help you with as well.

almostthere002

Here's what I would suggest and of course this is just my opinion. Freshwater and saltwater are far different from each other. I have had freshwater tanks since I was ten. You buy the kit, plug it in and add some fish and in 2 hours your done. Beautiful new addition to whatever room you are in. Ahhhh...the memories of the more simplier times. But with saltwater the only similarity is you start with a tank and fish are still called fish. I just went through the transition so it's all fresh to me. It's great that you already have a tank. How many gallons is it? Anything smaller then 30 gallons will require a lot more work. Believe it or not the tank and stand I bought was the cheapest part of setting up my tank. I have read that puffers and butterfly fish are hard to keep. It's not impossible and I am not suggesting you don't but what else do you wish to add to your tank later?
I have read that they should not be kept in a tank under 75 gallons. They can get big depending on which ones you want to have. You can do fake decorations if you dont intend on keeping anything but fish. But in my opinion I highly suggest live rock (1 - 1 1/2 lbs per gallon) this is your biological filtration and if you want your fish to survive and thrive this would help out greatly. It is not cheap though. For the substrate some live sand helps but it's not necessary if you have the live rock. You'll want to get a protein skimmer but don't buy a cheap one. Do not get the Seaclone by Instant Ocean I can not tell you how disappointed I am in it.

I just noticed that this post is a month old. I don't mind giving you more info but I will wait for you to respond before I go on. Maybe you figured some stuff out already