Should I start up a Marine tank......

[busybones]

I've been keeping freshwater fish for a long time, i've dabbled in brackish (starting another one up in the next couple of weeks.) I think i'm a pretty good puffer keeper. Well today I was in town to get some supplies and stopped at one of the local pet shops. They don't usually carry puffers but my husband pointed out this "funny" looking fish...I informed my husband that it was a small dogface puffer ..this "pet" shop doesn't take the best care of the animals (in my opinion). Note that there were two dead painted turles close by and a dead young bearded dragon up front. Anyway how long would it take to set up a marine tank as far as cycling ect? I'm not trying to jump into anything just yet but I fear the worst for the lil puffer...I also noted that their marine tanks are set up just like FW...I thought you were suppost to have overflows and sump pumps for them? If anyone could give me the baisics about setting up a marine tank that would be great! I think I'm going to try to get a friend of mine who has a well established SW tank to take the puffer ...If they have room that is...Oh and the price on the Dogface was a little less than $30.

[busybones]

I'm off to the library to do some research!

[Dadof4]

Got some great articles for you!

Everything you ever wanted to know about sumps but were afraid to ask: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php

And http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

And new start up article: http://www.reefnut.com/Basic%20Setup%20Article.htm

A fair article on curing LR: http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=47

I have a stack of articles on the set up process if these aren't enough "light" reading!

[pufferfreak]

Marine is a great experience you will not regret!!! .

[busybones]

Dadof4...you are awesome! I'm hoping to save the poor fella or find someone who can!

[busybones]

I really liked the new start up article...eventhough it almost gave me a seizure from all of the blue with white lettering.... lol very very helpful!

[boon]

hi this is the first time i have replied to a post and hope it doesnt sound to negative.
i have read so many times about ppl buying pets from a shop for the reason the shop doesnt look after there stock well. im just abit confused that ppl think that helps. the tank or cage is only going to be replaced with another animal funded by the ppl that bought the last. i love looking at new shops and in the past i have made a complaint about poor health of animals in a local store and to my suprize the shop had got more than one complaint. a few weeks later in the paper i read that the owner was investigated and fined. then closed down. no more badly treated animals which i think is a better result and keeps our hobbie healthy

[busybones]

How do you go about making a complaint? I know that they were also selling a copes grey tree frog which is native to our area and you aren't allowed to sell without a license and they have to be captive bred.

[Pufferpunk]

I turned in a LFS to the Dept of Agriculture for selling dozens of bettas knowingly, to a guy who was fighting them.

[robert_hollis]

I turned in a LFS to the Dept of Agriculture for selling dozens of bettas knowingly, to a guy who was fighting them.

Ha! I got you beat. I turned in my local Petsmart for failure to renew their Texas Parks & Wildlife nongame animal sales license. They didn't get shut down obviously, but the next time I went there, I saw a new license on display...

Support your local Game Warden!

-Rob

[busybones]

I'm not going to rush into things and buy the Puffer....I have more sense than that but my heart got in the way of my mind for a few minutes...however I am looking at buying a SW tank that has most of the needed equipment with it. I'd like to get the tank and learn it well before buying a puffer for it...what do you think about the tank? Should I get this one or keep looking? they are asking about $250 for it..it's 75gallons.

[Pufferpunk]

Is it reef ready?

[busybones]

I don't think it is...If i'm thinking correctly reef ready means that it's drilled and has the built in over flow...(I could be way off ) I've been talking with the guy about it for a couple of days now. Here is what he says comes with the tank.

75 gal tank (very nice) wood grain design
Stand (also very nice)
20 gal long tank for refugium (no baffles yet)
Nice protein skimmer with pump
Heater
pump (air)
hydrometer


I'm also not sure what baffles are yet....

[Pufferpunk]

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[busybones]

I've decided not to get the 75 gallon, I found a nice 90 gal that's already up and running. It has everything with it and they'll deliver and set up! woo hoo..