How Big And What Else?

[onebto]

I have been keeping Tropical fish for 18 months now, but I really want to start a marine tank.

Nothing to fancy or big to start, infact I really just want a pair of Clowns. I have spent a while reading about the different species and I think I am decided on getting a pair of captive bread, juvenile False Percula.

As I understand it If I use live rock this will help with filtration of the water but will I need an external canister as well to help with water filtration?

If so what turn over rate would I require if at all? in tropical an ideal rate is considered 8 to 10 times volume an hour.

If I was to go with a small tank that I just kept the two False Percula in and without a real anemone (as I understand they can get to quite a size) what sort of volume tank do I need?

I understand this could be quite a subjective question especially as I have read some of the epics on how small a tank you can keep a beta in, Lets hope it all works a little different in the marine world I do not want to start a heated debate just a ball park figure would do for the moment just so I get the wife onside. I did read the larger the volume of water the easier it is to keep the water condition in check but I do not have a great deal of room at the moment.

Would I need a protein skimmer? and if so what size in conjunction with recommended tank size?

Finally is it better to have a long or deep tank? Or does it not matter?

Thank you for your comments and advice in advance.

Regards onebto

 

[aly_starh]

I have been keeping Tropical fish for 18 months now, but I really want to start a marine tank.

Nothing to fancy or big to start, infact I really just want a pair of Clowns. I have spent a while reading about the different species and I think I am decided on getting a pair of captive bread, juvenile False Percula.
Good Choice!

As I understand it If I use live rock this will help with filtration of the water but will I need an external canister as well to help with water filtration?
The LR (in adequate quantities) will do all your tank filtration. Although if you wan to add an extra means thatsup to you.
If so what turn over rate would I require if at all? in tropical an ideal rate is considered 8 to 10 times volume an hour.
Normal tank with softies 20-25X turn over.

If I was to go with a small tank that I just kept the two False Percula in and without a real anemone (as I understand they can get to quite a size) what sort of volume tank do I need?
120L or so is best to start with. And the clowns will occupy that tank nicley. Although some keep clowns in tanks as small as 40L. The bigger the better;- in terms of error. A bigger tank will get stable more easily.

I understand this could be quite a subjective question especially as I have read some of the epics on how small a tank you can keep a beta in, Lets hope it all works a little different in the marine world I do not want to start a heated debate just a ball park figure would do for the moment just so I get the wife onside. I did read the larger the volume of water the easier it is to keep the water condition in check but I do not have a great deal of room at the moment.
As above

Would I need a protein skimmer? and if so what size in conjunction with recommended tank size?

Some say yes, some say no. If you want corals then yes, you will need a protien skimmer. If you dont have one, you will have to do regular WC's
Finally is it better to have a long or deep tank? Or does it not matter?
Dont think it matters TBH
Thank you for your comments and advice in advance.

Regards onebto

HTH

 

[onebto]

Thanks for your response and advice

regards onebto.

 

[ben1987]

Bigger is usually better as it is easier to keep a large volumer of water stable compared to small one.

 

[onebto]

Bigger is usually better as it is easier to keep a large volumer of water stable compared to small one.

Thank you