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aquariumer
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 Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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Sid stop scaring hobbyist do you have anything positive to say.
It is simply for people with deep pockets thats all. One don't need to be a Ainstien or Steve jobs to set up a marine tank.
water parameters and non gullibility of quality products/live stock has made it less attractive for hobbyist in India.
gurus like Gatorx should share some information's on fish profiles and compatibility.
FOWLR would be good start for people like me who's marine set up is next in wish list |
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aquarius
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Joined: May 24, 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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| aquariumer wrote (View Post):
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Sid stop scaring hobbyist do you have anything positive to say.
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Emmanuel,
I think Sid has a point.
Personally I believe it is better to be scared than ignorant.
Doing your homework and researching thoroughly through Google or IAH is compulsory before taking the plunge.And GatorX has made it so convenient through his thread for beginners.
The only point I beg to differ with Sid would be putting Mumbai at the bottom of his preferred list.......ask any discus hobbyist! |
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NitinB
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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+1 to Sid,
I personally believe that homework and complete knowledge is needed before jumping into this hobby. I'll say, as these fishes are mostly wild caught, sensitive, illegal,.. do not experiment with there life. In small time I've seen few people who tried, killed/failed in marine hobby.
Other thing is also true whatever budget you plan for this hobby, be prepared to spend 2 to 3 times.... this is not a budgeted hobby, keep your pocket open...
Regards,
Nitin. |
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aquariumer
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Joined: Sep 06, 2010
Posts: 1102
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 9:18 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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| aquarius wrote (View Post):
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| aquariumer wrote (View Post):
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Sid stop scaring hobbyist do you have anything positive to say.
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Emmanuel,
I think Sid has a point.
Personally I believe it is better to be scared than ignorant.
Doing your homework and researching thoroughly through Google or IAH is compulsory before taking the plunge.And GatorX has made it so convenient through his thread for beginners.
The only point I beg to differ with Sid would be putting Mumbai at the bottom of his preferred list.......ask any discus hobbyist!
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I dont think many people will go for marine without some research thats basics for all kind of aquariums.
most of the information is available on internet, every one who starts new will struggle initially and hence it would be better to start with hardy fishes. |
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sid
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 1:40 am Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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Dear Aquariumer, sorry for the late reply but I was out shopping with GatorSir. We had gone looking for the biggest spoon available in the market. Now you must be thinking why two aquatic hobbyists were looking for a large spoon? I’ll tell you why in a minute.
Anyway coming back to the topic hobbyists like you are exactly the reason GatorSir started this thread. If you put a little effort you would notice the stickie by Pironya in this forum, profiling in detail, most of the marine fish available in India. But some of us want to be spoon fed every single thing so that is why GatorSir and I had gone shopping for a XXXL spoon. Also having deep pockets and unlimited funds will not make one a successful marine hobbyist, you're completely mistaken there. However there is good news and bad new. First the good news - you'll have plenty of surprises when you set up your marine tank and the bad news - they'll mostly be unpleasant.
I didn't say anything about being a genius to have a marine tank but if you consider simple reading as genius then well yeah you have to be an 'Einstein' to own a saltwater tank. However being Steve jobs (God bless his soul) is necessary if you have a giant gourami. Why? Because GG’s are largely veggies/fruitarians and Steve jobs - apple....get it? Wink! |
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aquariumer
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Joined: Sep 06, 2010
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 1:54 am Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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| sid wrote (View Post):
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Dear Aquariumer, sorry for the late reply but I was out shopping with GatorSir. We had gone looking for the biggest spoon available in the market. Now you must be thinking why two aquatic hobbyists were looking for a large spoon? I’ll tell you why in a minute.
Anyway coming back to the topic hobbyists like you are exactly the reason GatorSir started this thread. If you put a little effort you would notice the stickie by Pironya in this forum, profiling in detail, most of the marine fish available in India. But some of us want to be spoon fed every single thing so that is why GatorSir and I had gone shopping for a XXXL spoon. Also having deep pockets and unlimited funds will not make one a successful marine hobbyist, you're completely mistaken there. However there is good news and bad new. First the good news - you'll have plenty of surprises when you set up your marine tank and the bad news - they'll mostly be unpleasant.
I didn't say anything about being a genius to have a marine tank but if you consider simple reading as genius then well yeah you have to be an 'Einstein' to own a saltwater tank. However being Steve jobs (God bless his soul) is necessary if you have a giant gourami. Why? Because GG’s are largely veggies/fruitarians and Steve jobs - apple....get it? Wink!
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FOWLR is definately on my cards will seek precious advise from you soon.
but for my inspiration I found a small LFS at bhayander was maintaining a marine set up with clowns and carpet animone for two months with surprisingly just an internal power filter.
there are more such LFS with limited information run it succesfully, I need to find out how |
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asak
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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Carpet anemones live for decades if not centuries. To run a tank for two months or for that matter even a year or so is usually possible with limited knowledge and equipment, when we speak about mainaining a successful aquarium and the equipment needed to run it, i think it means no crashes, running for many years, minimal or no loss of live stock and growth of live stock. To do that you will definitely need a deep pocket, good equipment and knowledge.
Also, for all who want to keep marine aqauriums, clowns do not need anemones in captivity and the larger anemones (long tentacle, carpet, leather) are not for beginers. Please do not buy these just because they are often easily available and supposedly legal to keep!
I also have not been to a single LFS with any decent knowledge about marine aqauriums here. I am sure it is the same all over india. I am sure in another 2 months or so that tank you saw in the LFS will be history. I have seen may such tanks over the years in LFS's some even with decent equipment. |
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aquarius
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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This thread is supposed to be a reference for beginners with a genuine intention of starting a successful marine tank.
Let us not contaminate it with any further unproductive communications (a crime for which I too am guilty of) and allow GatorX to reply to our queries. |
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rkkaran
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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Super write up Sid. To the point with the tinge of fun :-)
Thanks
Karan |
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saikumar
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subhrajit
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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| Waiting for the Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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schwagin
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Joined: May 14, 2012
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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Well Iam a mechanical engineer ....
me and many others following this thread will appreciate help.
but let it be systematic.
like precautions before setting up.
what extra care need to be taken,
what equipment is must to start with,
what are the fishes and the anemones are easy to keep
minimum tank capacity
lighting
so on....
please boys help us not scare us |
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GatorX
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:48 am Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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| Will try to answer most of the questions in the main thread.. |
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Gulls
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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Well..
once through the basics and build up.. the tough one....
how to keep going?
I mean the struggle with the equipment/stock etc..
That has been a big big trouble for me...
My tanks in good shape, Avg life span of live stock on an increasing mode.. all seems right but currently on a standstill....
some insight on procurement on dry stuff/live stock would keep us interested..
Well Gator sir... your views on this one please |
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abhi_123
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| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: Basics of a Saltwater Aquarium - Comments |
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| sid wrote (View Post):
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After having interacted with quite a few marine newbies and owning a marine setup myself, I think –and this is my personal opinion- a marine newbie should first invest in a blackboard and a box of chalks. Both are available at your nearest stationary shop. Then write ‘I will read and research as much as I can before getting into marine…’ on the blackboard sixty eight thousand three hundred and twenty four times. Believe me this itself will save you a lot of time, money and heartbreak in the future. It is at this very important initial stage that most marine newbies falter. There are literally hundreds of websites and forums that carry good info so go through them and see what works best for you. Remember Google is a website, not a girl so don’t feel shy.
Having said that, most of the info you seek is right under your noses in IAH in the marine forums. Go through them carefully as there are hobbyists who have asked similar questions previously. And if you still have doubts and further questions then the Luke Pomersbach of Indian Aquarists and unofficial chief guest of Aquatika 2012 - GatorSir will answer them for you here. All he will want in return is a little bit of your soul. But trust me it’s worth it.
Here are some of the things I learnt – (Note: The following are my personal experiences and I am not an 'expert' by any measure.)
1. In respect to tank size, I learnt that bigger is better in marine. If you want to know why, Google it or ask here or better still try it.
2. Because of the small number of marine hobbyists and subsequent demand and supply, there is hardly any quality equipment/livestock available in India. Whatever is available is horrendously expensive. Those who have hi-end equipment/livestock have sourced it from foreign countries.
3. Everything related to marine (Livestock and equipment) is more expensive than a FW setup. Even a Nano can cost more than a high tech planted setup so forget about budget in marine. This is the first and biggest mistake a marine newbie generally makes.
4. Make friends with other marine hobbyists and take advice from them but figure what combination works best for you. In India, a fellow marine hobbyist is your best friend. And GatorSir is your Master and Commander.
5. Don’t blindly trust your marine LFS (and LFS’s in general). Most of them will misguide and misinform you to make a quick buck. Instead read up about a particular fish/equipment before buying it. It’s very likely that someone has brought that fish or skimmer before you so ask them their experience and review.
6. Tamil Nadu is the best place in India to be a hobbyist. Period. Calcutta is the 2nd best and Mumbai is the worst. But then Mumbai is the worst even for FW (I think Arowanas, Goldfish and Flowerhorns will soon become native to Mumbai). For those hobbyists who live in the interiors and in tier 2/3 cities and dream of owning a marine tank I have just one word – Don’t! But if you have access to unlimited funds, go for it.
7. Marine is riskier and less forgiving than FW but if done right its easy and very rewarding.
And the last but the most important
8. Most marine fish, coral and inverts are illegal to sell and own in India and those who do (sellers and buyers) do so illegally.
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It Doesnt matter whether u live in tier 2 or 3 city or in metros. whats matter is your dedication & passion towards the hobby. |
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