Really OT: Anyone here into aquariums?

[Fasttrack]

My older sister has just recently developed an interest aquariums, potentially saltwater aquariums, I think. Her birthday is this month and I thought I'd get her some kind of book on aquariums but I don't know enough about the subject to even determine where she should start her odyssey.

Lots of good people here with wide ranging interests, so I thought I'd post and see if anyone cared to recommend a book or other beginner's supplies / equipment that would be appropriate.

[brian Rupnow]

Sounds very fishy to me---Yuk Yuk Yuk---

[Bented]

I was trapped in an aquarium once but escaped unscathed, haven't gone near one in 35 years.

[reggie_obe]

Saltwater as in a reef tank? Quite an expensive segment of the hobby. Expensive fish, expensive; "live rock"; tanks (acrylic), lighting (HID or LED), filtration, etc. etc. Had about 30 tanks at one time, running a breeding operation for tropical s. Might get her a book on the Rift Lake Cichlids that live in Tanganyika Just about as colorful and interesting as saltwater fish, easier to keep.

https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/african-cichlid/

[Bob La Londe]

Cichlids? Aren't they in the nearly impossible to kill category. 50 years ago they promised that tilapia would die off in the winter time here... The state record keeps getting bigger.

[JRouche]

Only the outside variety for me.

A friend had a saltwater aquarium and it was beautiful. Also a major money pit. JR

[eKretz]

Number one tip, tell her to read up on "cycling" the tank with live rock before adding any fish. And keep the water a little warmer than whatever is recommended. My saltwater fish always did better with warmer water.

[macona]

I used to do saltwater, Had a 120 gallon with a 30 gallon sump. 120 gallon is 2'x2'x4',

Its not that bad. You can look at doing a nano-reef which can be done in 5-10 gallon tanks and with new LED lighting to replace the old stuff it is even cheaper and easier than before. People like to make a big deal out of salt water but once it is set up and running they really tend to themselves other than wiping the algae off the walls. I built an auto top off setup for mine connected to a RO filter setup to keep salinity stable,