Starting A Saltwater Tank

[PaBucsFan]

I know I am likely to get flamed for this but I want to dabble in the world of saltwater tank keeping. I currently resident with my parents and it will remain that way for approximately 1-2 years depending upon my entry into the State Police academy where I live. I am a college student, still living with his parents, so money is tight. I do not really have the ability to get a larger tank as room in limited. I currently have a 20 US gallon Freshwater tank which I recently planted and do not want to convert as I have spent a great deal of money in plants, switching to a sand substrate and new box filters. I do have a 10 US gallon freshwater tank that currently is slightly planted. I want to convert the 10 gal to a nano reef or generic Nemo setup. I only wish to have 2-3 fish and maybe 5-8 pounds of LR. It currently has a marine based sand substrate that I am hoping I can simply rinse and reuse as opposed to purchasing more sand. I just want some advice from the experts.

Some extra info on the tank: Heater is usable in FW or SW, I would assume I can use the box filter as it is meant for up to 30 gallon tanks, and I am hoping the sand is reusable.

Hopefully I am not flamed too much for wanting a 10gal SW tank! I know some of the basics as my girlfriend's brother-in-law has a SW tank. I know I need to invest in a hydrometer, a saltwater master test kit, and a great deal of sea salt. I just want to know if I need blowers, different light currently at 2.6watts per gallon, and anything I might be missing. Tanks for the advice.

 

[sorgan]

Hmm 10 (us I presume) gallons Is just short of 35 litres (uk it would be 45) so that isn't big enough for a clown fish, sorry.

10 gallons would be alright for a small goby or even goby/shrimp pair (randels goby and tiger shrimp springs to mind)
If you decide not to go for a fish invert tanks are pretty cool.
Be aware at 10g water swings are going to be hard and fast.

 

[-Nemo-]

Welcome to the salty side!

As sorgan stated, difficult for a beginner, but not impossible. We always encourage beginners to start with bigger tanks if possible. Weekly 25% water changes will be a must and yes, too small for clowns i'm afraid. Generally a 20G is considered the minimum size for a pair of clownfish. There are plenty of small gobies and blennies out there that would be suitable for a 10G however.

 

[PaBucsFan]

Like I said, I have very little knowledge of this side of the fish keeping world. To me any experience I can gain with saltwater fish keeping before I am able to expand to a more stable tank size is what I want. I assumed keeping a 10 US gal tank would be more difficult as I had more trouble cycling it than my 20 US gal tank. I am fine with doing water changes every week as I already do them for each of the FW tanks that I have. So will I need a blower in a 10 gal setup or will I be okay without one? Is a protein skimmer needed if I have a hang-over-back filter that is 3 times stronger than necessary in my current tank setup?

 

[seffieuk]

By a blower I take it you mean a powerhead? If so, then yes you need one for flow around your live rock You will not need a skimmer on that size tank as the water changes will take care of most things.

Seffie x

ps how about starting your journel now

 

[PaBucsFan]

I guess I meant power head. As I said I still need to learn a lot about the salty side, I am looking at starting this tank in late October or early November as I will have the more time to put into at that time. Right now I am trying to do the research into what I need, gather advice from the experts here on the forums, and making a list and pricing the necessary items. This may be a stupid question and I think I know the answer but a 7 inch air stone would not suffice as enough water movement would it?

 

[seffieuk]

This may be a stupid question and I think I know the answer but a 7 inch air stone would not suffice as enough water movement would it?

No such thing as a stupid question, the only stupid question is the one not asked

But no, an air stone would not be enough flow - you need to be looking at something that will move about x 10 litres an hour for a tank that size

Seffie x

 

[Donya]

I should add onto sorgan's statement that this that some invert-only stockings can also be more forgiving in terms of setup needs and param swings. Of course, this is only for hardy inverts, namely some custaceans and some of the more sturdy gastropods. If you're dead set on fish and/or corals then this probably won't persuade you, but I thought I would toss out a few odd-ball, relatively hardy and undemanding setups to consider in a small tank.
- Species tank for a moderately-sized true crab.
- Species tank for colorful predatory snails, such as a horse conches and tulip snails.
- Large coastal hermits, species tanks being easiest and safest but more than one* could probably go in a 10g.
- Native fauna setups if near the coast, although these can be demanding in the light department with some macroalgae.

*EDIT: bad wording there - was meaning more than one type of animal (e.g. a shrimp/snail/fish/etc.) not mixing hermit species. Mixing multiple big hermit species can be bad news in a small tank.

 

[sorgan]

Algae over coral is my vote fir small tanks for a few reasons.
1- most algae grows fast so if it isn't growing you have a problem (easier to tell then coral)
2- if your nitrates get out of hand, who cares! The algae will soak em up.
3- algae is easy to care for and is less demanding then coral

I agree with inverts being the best way for beginners but a fish or two is usually what is wanted
If your gonna keep true crabs or large hermits pick top swimming fish as they will be less likely (although not always) to have a nasty run in with a hungry invert I have a baby arrow head crab in my nano and he is almost the main attraction

Ever considered a small species of mantis shrimp

 

[PaBucsFan]

I am definitely tanking in everyone's advice. I honestly would like to keep a fish or two if possible and an invert or two. I am very diligent with my freshwater tank water changes and I will be with the salt water one once I have the funds and time to convert it. I used Google maps to locate other LFS around me and found a true LFS, not a Petco or Petsmart. They care a much larger variety of SW and FW fish. I found the freshwater fish that I would like to attempt to breed and I found this cool looking SW fish called a Neon Damsel. It is black with neon blue stripes. I will attempt to take a picture to show everyone if you do not know what it looks like since I am traveling there tomorrow to purchase the FW fish. Does anyone know if it is possible to keep this fish on a 10 gal tank?

 

[-Nemo-]

I wouldn't keep most damsels at all, especially in a small tank like that. They get very aggressive. Best leave them out of the tank.

 

[sorgan]

Although if your only having one fish aggression isn't really an issue. Sadly I belive the minimum tank size for most damsels is 20 gallons.

 

[PaBucsFan]

Its fine, still learning haha. I just thought they looked really cool and did not seem too big but then again I did't know if them were adults or not.

 

[-Nemo-]

Most damsels are sold as only an inch long but get 4-5 as adults.

 

[PaBucsFan]

Little bit of an update here...My girlfriend's cousin has a 20 US gallon Long tank that has not run for sometime and would like to start an aquarium again. Her cousin does not have the room for the aquarium and I suggested trading her my 10 tank for her 20 Long. What would I need to add to my list of needed items? Do I need a protein skimmer for a 20 US gallon long? Do I need a more powerful powerhead or powerheads? Again I'm not 100% certain we are switching tanks just seeing how much more it will cost! Thanks for the input!