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I have a 10 gallon tank I want to start a saltwater aquarium in. I am going to buy cycled water from a lfs they have it readily available so that will make it much easier on me, I am going to also buy live sand, I will be buyign liverock as well, I want to put 1 percula clownfish and 1 Yellowtail Damselfish in the tank, I didn't see anything on these fish that said they would not be compaible. What does everyone else think? If there is anything else I can put in there with them please let me know. I think I am going to have plenty of time to decide what to do and what not to do because I want to do this RIGHT!!! This is my first tank and I have thoroughly read the post on beginning a marine set-up, but I am sure there are things I still don't know. Please help me learn I want this to be a good eperience!!! *Crosses Fingers and hopes for LOTS of help on this one!*

First, you do understand this is a small tank for SW, and will need a lot of work to keep it stable. Also, two fish in a 10gal tank is a bit over stocked. I would suggest a 29gal tank to start with. But if your really set on that tank because of size limitations, then here is what I suggest. Put a good 2 inches of live sand in the tank, and 10 to 15 pounds of live rock. This will relaly fill up the tank, but will help with keeping teh tank stable. Another thing that will help is the largest HOB filter you can find, and even though some say no, I suggest a bio wheel. This will give you even more space for benificial bacteria, as well as more water for the system. I would suggest putting the clown in after a few months of running fallow with just live rock, perhaps a few micro hermits and snails. Then wait a few more months before adding the damsel. Although I recomend agenst the damsel. A pair of clowns might be better, like perculas. Those should be added together.

Dan




Dan

What is a HOB filter? Yes I do understand that it is kind of small, however I want to start off small and I have seen other people on here with even smaller sw tanks they have been talking about. I do not want many fish in this tank. I simply want 1 or 2 small easier to handle fish to start with. I might go and get another 25 instead of using this 10 though, but that would require me to have to build or buy a stand for the 25. What do you think of puttign a clown and a neon goby or 2 instead of a damselfish though? I was planning on getting either 2 percula clowns, or maybe 1 percula clown and one other small fish. That is all I really want to put in this tank I do not want to take a chance at overstocking the tank or doing anything bad to it to make it not work. Sorry for all the typos I did not catch my hands need to be diagnosed with dyslexia...

HOB = Hang On Back filter. I think 2 fish would be max. ocellaris or perc clown and a neon goby would be the most IMO, plus live rock and some clean up critters. It will be a lot of work to keep everything stable and lots of water changes to keep the water clean.

I would upgrade if you can afford it and use the 10G as a sump with a protein skimmer and some algaes. It will just make your life easier.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Two fish is really over the limit in a SW tank of that size. A 10gal tank is OK for one small fish. As stated, if your willing to do weekly water changes, you can use the 10gal tank. With SW, larger tanks are more stable, and less work.

Dan


Dan

I am really thinking abotu going and getting a 25 jsut liek the one I have right now for my fw tank, but I knwo nothing baotu the skimmers and sumps and such so I will need more info from you guys on that stuff as well. Thanks!

Before you set up your first salt tank you really should do some reading. If you can't get a reasonably decent and new book on marine aquariums, I'd head over to [link=http://www.wetwebmedia.com]http://www.wetwebmedia.com" style="COLOR: #FFD700[/link] for all thier articles. You should read up on sumps, refugiums, live rock, filtration, and protein skimmers before you start setting anything up. Anything else you can read will most likely benefit you as well. We simply can't put everything you need to know into one post, and you will be heading for disaster if you don't read up.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thank you for the website I think it will help me A LOT! I am going to go abotu this very slowly so that I do not screw anytihng up. I know you guys can't put everythign in one post but any sites you can guide me to will help. I am not going to start setting anything up until I knw what I am doing this is why I started these posts on here BEFORE I start anything at my house. PlusI do not want to start puttign up a tank until i know for sure whether or not I am goign to be moving or not. I do not want to get things started and have to move in a few weeks after that and screw everytihng up thank you for the help please give me anymore you guys can.... I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS RIGHT!!!

Last edited by dvmchrissy at 16-Oct-2005 19:07