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I currently have 7 FW tanks running, have an empty 10g and think I'm ready to try a small SW tank.

This is basically a tank and lid...what would I need in the way of filter, heater, etc? How do I start up a SW tank (cycling)? Suggestions for what to keep (I realize I'm limited on the number and types of fish for this size tank)?

Thanks

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Hey Theresa.

Welcome to the darkside of FP. For a 10g I'd suggest a small 1inch layer of sand, about 12-15 lbs of live rock, a powerhead or two for water movement, and maybe an aquaclear 50 for mechanical and chemical filtration. You want the flow to be well up over 10X in such a small tank. I'd use the AC 50 and a small minijet for water movement. The live rock will do the job of bio filtration for you, and also fishless cycle the tank. You can then possibly get away with putting a submerible heater IN the AC 50 to reduce clutter in the tank. I like the stealth heaters....50w aught to do. The heater you pick has to be submersible, as the HOB ones can get salt creep up in their parts and die.

I'm outta time for now....gota run to class, but I'll get some stocking choices for you in a few hours.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

As for stocking, you can look at the smaller clownfish, like occelaris and percs and other smaller damsels, though they could get aggressive(the damsels). Most gobies do well, especially the clown goby, and smaller prawn gobies. Psedochromis usually do well in smaller tanks, but watch out for aggression here. A dwarf hawkfish would be cool....the geometric pygmy hawks are very neat. The dartfish are cool and smallish, just watch out for jumpers.

As you said you are pretty limited on the stocking choices, and I'd probably only choose two out of the above unless you want to set up a sump for extra water volume and a skimmer. On a 10G I'd say it's not worth the effort to do that IMO.

Basically just stay away from things that get much bigger than 3ish inches and anything that is a real active swimmer. For example, a flasher wrasse might fit ok, but will probably knock itself about on the glass trying to swim around.

As far as inverts go, as long as you make sure they will all get along, physical space is really the only limit, I don't count them towards the bioload, unless I am specifically feeding them. I like peppermint shrimp, or other "cleaner" shrimp. Porcelain crabs are fun little filter feeders to try out too. For a Cleaner crew I always suggest astrea snails in a small tank, maybe 5 of them or so, and a similar number of the smaller reef hermit crabs like blue legs or scarlet reef hermits. Serpent stars are a cool little addition to a clean up crew too. The CUC you will get before fish, after the tank has cycled. You'd then get one fish at a time, then add your more sensitive inverts like the shrimp or porcelain crabs.

The other setup thing I forgot to mention is the water change setup. Salt water has to be mixed thoroughly for apprx. 24 hrs before use in the tank. For a 10 gallon I'd recommend just a 5G bucket with a small heater and powerhead for water movement.

It would also be good to think of getting an RO unit if you feel like you might be doing this for a while, continuing on to a larger tank, or maybe advancing into corals in this tank ever. The RO unit will help a ton with problem algae and some of the more sensitive inverts may have problems with your tap water.....depending on your tap water of course. Here's the unit I got on ebay, these are great for the price, make 0 TDS water and will whip it up rather quick for you, probably in just a couple hours you could have 5 gallons made.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients