Should I Get Into Saltwater?

[pkppv]

Hey everyone! I've been keeping many species of tropical fish in 2 different tanks for quite a while now. I consider myself to be pretty successful at it, in part because my water is always imaculate. I work at an aquarium year round full of saltwater and freshwater fish, and have dabbled in the water chemistry department, so my fish at home always find themselves in some seriously clean water, despite their tanks being "overstocked".

People have suggested that i try a saltwater fish, seeing as i keep them happy at work well enough. I dont have much space for another tank, nor do i want to spend a thousand dollars on a setup. My plan is really just a nice little 10gallon with a fish or two in it. Maybe 20, but certainly no larger than that. Id like to keep it under 100 dollars, but id splurge and spend more if it was really nessecary (100 for the setup, id splurge like crazy for a pretty fish). Does anyone have any good suggestions of a hardy, easy, colorful fish i could keep in a small tank with relative ease? Please treat me as if i know NOTHING about saltwater tanks, because for all i know, maintaining aquarium tanks may be completely different than maintaining a home tank. Plus, the filtration available at work is unbelievable, and i know the things available for home use wont be quite as top of the line. What do i need, where do i find it, what will it cost me? Remember, I know nothing.

P.S. Preferably, i would like to avoid having to keep a reef or live rock, but if these are absolutely nessecary, then i understand.

Thanks a lot everyone!

 

[lljdma06]

A 10g is a difficult first system but entirely doable if one is up with the maintenance. But I will say this. You will save a lot of money in the long run if you build a system that uses LR as the form of filtration. All the expensive filters in the world cannot bring the benefits of the biological filtration provided by LR.

Basics of what you need... From what I reading, you want probably a FOWLR (Fish only with Live Rock, but you can keep many fun invertebrates too!). One of the simplest SW systems to maintain, though if you plan this system correctly, you'll also be able to enjoy a very simple reef.

1. The tank (if you have a second-hand tank, test for copper)
2. Cover (a must if you want a goby, blenny, or firefish)
3. Substrate (optional, but aesthetic, aim for like an inch unless you want a species that requires a DSB)
4. LR (1-2kg per gallon, or if in the US, you'll need about 20lbs)
5. Powerheads - these provide you with circulation, very important if you chose to use LR as your primary form of filtration. Aim for 20x turnover
6. Refractometer - to measure the specific gravity of the water, or how dense it is, used to gage salinity, though it doesn't actually measure it.
7. Buckets - To hold both RO water or Saltwater
8. Thermometer
9. Test kits (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph for your needs)
10. Lighting - if you get just a standard strip, you can certainly do FOWLR, but if you upgrade to a twin- T5 or so, you can keep many soft corals

Let me know if you have any questions. I started SW tanks after many years keeping freshwater species and I am still learning myself, but I'm finding this aspect of the hobby to be extremely rewarding.

L

 

[pkppv]

I wouldnt be as opposed to live rock if i knew where to find it. I dont really have an lfs, as the one down the road went out of business a month ago ='( ...tear... Could i just use a good HOB or something? Also, what kind of fish would be realistic options. I will admit, I do not always abide by commonly accepted stocking suggestions or tank sizes for my tropical fish, but i plan to be quite nitpicky with my saltwater setup, as I know from work that they are much more fragile. If its two 2inch fish i should have, its two 2 inch fish i shall get.

 

[pkppv]

Ive been researching hard. Could i keep a firefish and a damsel? They are both stunning fish.

 

[lljdma06]

I wouldnt be as opposed to live rock if i knew where to find it. I dont really have an lfs, as the one down the road went out of business a month ago ='( ...tear... Could i just use a good HOB or something? Also, what kind of fish would be realistic options. I will admit, I do not always abide by commonly accepted stocking suggestions or tank sizes for my tropical fish, but i plan to be quite nitpicky with my saltwater setup, as I know from work that they are much more fragile. If its two 2inch fish i should have, its two 2 inch fish i shall get.

Many people opt to order their LR online. Which is the largest city you live pretty close too. Many UK people have to take long drives. No, you can't just use a good HOB, the media use accumulates nitrates which are very bad for Marine organisms. Now, you can convert an Aquaclear HOB to a fabulous, cheap refugium and get extra flow. This is what I've done, but I use this in conjunction with LR and and power heads. IMO, I think you really need to read Paletta's the New Marine Aquarium. It's often for sale in large pet stores, I've seen it in Petsmart often. It explains the why of Marine systems in a very easy to understand manner. Also there's a book by Jeffrey Kurtz too.

Ive been researching hard. Could i keep a firefish and a damsel? They are both stunning fish.

Yes, if you add the damsel last and if you stick with a more peaceful species. Bear in mind, clownfish are also classified as damsels, so yes a damselfish can go with a firefish technically. Yellowtail blue damsels are less agressive of the traditional damsels that you're thinking of. I'm getting one for my 8g pico. You should check my journal out, I think it'll help you put things into perspective with regard to setting up a system. Now, I stock fast, don't stock the way I stock. I'm an advanced hobbyist, been at it for 23 years, and having planted tanks for over 6 years really prepared me for SW, so I'm used to being very on top of systems.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/369264-lljs-8g-cant-have-just-one/

L

 

[pkppv]

Refugium? Sorry I'm so clueless haha

And also, on your simple system list you do not mention filtration. Does the rock really handle all of it?

 

[lljdma06]

Refugium? Sorry I'm so clueless haha

And also, on your simple system list you do not mention filtration. Does the rock really handle all of it?

If you have enough Live rock and stock lightly enough, then yes, the rocks handle it all with proper water movement.

 

[SaltNoob]

I use a HOB on my system... I only put in about 10-15% of the capacity with activated carbon to help clean the water a bit. I change the filter out every 3 weeks, which might be too long?, it catches a lot of things like the dog hair or extra food that did not get eaten. I could not afford another power head yet, and I got the canister hob free cuz the guy at petco was high that day I think and gave me half of my system free so I use it. The extra water movement is nice... I need to change the head back into the tank its too directional and I want to disperse it more.

I have two big dogs, and their hair flies around the house, and a few hairs make their way into the tank LOL. And yes we sweep every day!

-Tyler

 

[pkppv]

So is there any downfall to having a HOB in addition to the LR? Could I fill it with bio media instead of the little wool/carbon sleeves?

 

[lljdma06]

So is there any downfall to having a HOB in addition to the LR? Could I fill it with bio media instead of the little wool/carbon sleeves?

Not really, as long as you ensure that your media doesn't become a storage place for detrius. This can raise nitrates in a system.

L

 

[pkppv]

OK! So i found a good source of live rock by my sisters college, and I found some cheap powerheads. Looks like im all set for this tank! All i need to decide on is fish. Can you give me a list of good options for a 15gallon (maybe even 20)

 

[SaltNoob]

I would suggest getting a refractometer too which runs $50 in the US for a less expensive one. It was recommended to me and I use it a lot. It measures the salinity. VERY important of course, just make sure you calibrate it. Also if you get an odd reading throw a couple drops of RO on it to make sure you are still calibrated properly.

Get all your test kits ahead of time too if you don't have them.

-Tyler

 

[Rillo Boy]

Go for it mate.......it's fascinating....

 

[lljdma06]

Go for it mate.......it's fascinating....

I agree. I enjoy it very much.

 

[Rillo Boy]

Join ultimate reef......brilliant site to ask all your questions