Getting Back Into A Saltwater

[nikiwildman]

Hi there,
In a few months time me and my partner are starting up a small saltwater tank (only a little 50L tank)

Now, i used to have a 200L saltwater years and years ago, which was quite successful.

Anyway, i am only wanting a small tank, and it is more my Partner who wants this tank but i am more than happy to put in the hard work - we already have awesome tropical and cold freshwater tanks, and im fairly confident.

We are only wanting small live coral, and 1 or 2 fish, (partner really wants a little clown fish, but im not sure how well that will work) Fish-wise i was just thinking of some small blennies.

Does anyone have any advice as to what is the best coral, and best fish to keep in such a small tank? Also how long would i be best to cycle it for? and would i have the coral in first for a few weeks before i start to introduce some fish?

I am just at the start of my re-search for this, its been so long since i have a marine tank, i thought i better start well in advance!

Thanks every!

 

[KittyKat]

I kept a frogfish, pulsing xenia, mushrooms and polyps in my 60 litre, feeding with whole de-frosted fish once a week, but frogfish can't really be mixed with anything else..

 

[seffieuk]

Hi there,
In a few months time me and my partner are starting up a small saltwater tank (only a little 50L tank)

back to the salty side

Now, i used to have a 200L saltwater years and years ago, which was quite successful.

Love to see a photo

Anyway, i am only wanting a small tank, and it is more my Partner who wants this tank but i am more than happy to put in the hard work - we already have awesome tropical and cold freshwater tanks, and im fairly confident.



We are only wanting small live coral, and 1 or 2 fish, (partner really wants a little clown fish, but im not sure how well that will work) Fish-wise i was just thinking of some small blennies.

Right, this is a good start - so you want to keep a pair of clowns - imo a 50 litre or 11 gallon tank is not big enough. I wouldn't put a pair in anything less than 100 litres. I suppose you could keep one, but imo there is something very sad about a lone clown So, do you think you could go a bit bigger? There are many great bargains around at the moment, in particular for the orca 550, the D & D, red sea max, chromis tanks - more water as I am sure you know is much easier to keep stable

Does anyone have any advice as to what is the best coral, and best fish to keep in such a small tank? Also how long would i be best to cycle it for? and would i have the coral in first for a few weeks before i start to introduce some fish?

If you stayed at 50 litres you would be very limited indeed for fish - the only real idea would be a small goby and shrimp combo or maybe a small frog fish (they don't move around much but are funnly little creatures). As for corals it will depend on lighting, but you could have a lovely coralmorph garden, mushrooms and ricordias etc which would look fab - take a look at jennybugs journels for some inspiration along with the 'coral of the week'

I am just at the start of my re-search for this, its been so long since i have a marine tank, i thought i better start well in advance!

Absolutly right, grab yourself a notebook and pen and your partner and start reading lots of journels, take many notes along the way

Just remember, the only stupid question is the one not asked - good luck

Thanks every!

Seffie x

 

[nikiwildman]

Thanks, that great advise!

I know the world on the salty side is a tough one, but when you do it all right and put in that extra effort, it is well worth it, it was actually my partner that conviced me to do this, and i wasnt keen at first, but now i have started my research im actually quite looking forward to it!

Unfortunatly i dont have any (good) pictures of my old tank, was years ago, before digi cameras and phone cameras! I have one very bad hard copy, which is mostly just a flash off the glass, and you can vaguely see my beautiful batfish.

TBH, the clowns are my partners wanting! I do love them and used to keep a couple in my 200l, but i think 50L is a too small for them, i have tried explaining this to my partner, but he really really wants them! The most we could go up to is maybe a 65L, unfortunatly due to the surface it will be going on, it wouldnt hold much more weight, and i wouldnt feel comfortable having anything heavier.

Where exactly would i find jennybugs journels, is this a book, or is this like a forum members journal?

Thanks for you time!

 

[seffieuk]

Apologies:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=105

This is the journel page - Jenny has about three journels, all are worth a read and have some lovely photography

Atb

Seffie x

 

[nikiwildman]

Apologies:

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=105"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=105[/URL]

This is the journel page - Jenny has about three journels, all are worth a read and have some lovely photography

Atb

Seffie x

Thanks alot!