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I want to start into the saltwater small. I was wondering if it is possible to have a 10 or 20 gallon saltwater tank? Also is live rock a must? And what could be the stocking list of a 20 gallon?

10 or 20 gallon marine tanks can be done....with great caution. Nanoreefs are quite popular, I don't have any links to good sites for them but they're definitely out there. Google search it.

Yes, live rock is a must for a really healthy tank.

Keep in mind--as always, the bigger you go the better the selection of fish....and with a 10g or 20g marine, your selection is VERY small.

Its best for begginners to just get a 10g invert tank imo, so they can learn everything with no major disasters

Yes thats what im looking for no major disasters lol. But i read that live rock is not totally nesscary, like it said a " just fish tank " which then it mentioned meaning no live rock, but i like live rock, but its hard to get here, and i dont want to spend a lot on it. Is there any fish at all that could go in a 10 gallon or so? i have read that neon gobies i think thats it, its neon something, can go in a 10-20. Any ideas on a stocking list for a 20 gallon?

See, there is a big difference with salt vs. fresh water. For fresh, you can have one square inch of fish per US gallon. Salt water, I believe is one fish per 5 or 10 US gallons. So, if you were having a 20 gal, that would be, like, ONE clown fish or fish of similar size. I don't know how much fun that would be.....watching one fish swim around. I'd go all out and start a 40 or 55 gal and slowly stock the fish. Besides, if you were going to eventually build up to a bigger tank, why wait and have to move anything. I'd talk to some people on FP that do a lot of salt water because I'm a freshwater person....they could probably help you out a lot.
GOOD LUCK!

I've got a fever... and the only prescription... is more cowbell!

See i had a 30 gallon salt water tank but that was even to much money, and the two clown fish died, i think due to filteration. But i was wanting to go with maybe a 10 or 20 just so i can get the hang of the saltwater bit, But i think your idea on just starting out with a 40 or so is a good one, but its the cost and low quality live rock. The fish are'nt too bad thou, but im not looking for corals thou, the light for that is too expensive here anyway.

With any type of aquarium, you run the risk of fish dying....especially sensetive salt water...You're just going to have to replace them. Odds are, if you don't have the money to do it, don't waste your time and frustration. My fiance', who is fish ignorant, had said how lovely a big saltwater aquarium would be....he obviously doesn't know the time, money, and frustration that goes into it...and yeah, who would be doing all the work? Me. I talked him into a 55 freshwater with some colorful cichlids. This may be something that you could do. yes, they may be a little more expensive than the fancy guppy, but some stores have refunds on freshwater and NOT SALTWATER! And it's really cool to watch them breed. They all have unique personalities and some will nibble at your arm when you gravel vac. My two angels can sense the vibrations from me walking up to the tank and seem to follow me around....They do a little "wiggle" when they get excited to see me. They are almost like little dogs. I have no idea how much experience you have with cichlids...some require special treatment and are picky of their roommated. Their are a LOT of people on this site that would be more than happy to introduce you to the world of cichlids...and before you buy any fish, have some people on FP help you pick what to stock because their are SOOOOO many considerations: TEMPERMENT, size, origin (African, American, etc.), agression, breeding habits, etc etc etc.
Hope this helps!

I've got a fever... and the only prescription... is more cowbell!

I dont get where everyone got the idea of starting small from.

Smaller tanks equal distaster way too many times, especially for beginners. Not to mention, saltwater cannot hold the amount of oxygen that freshwater can, so it makes the stocking ratio so much lower. IMO you cant really get a nice stocking list without doing a 30 gallon or up. Starting small may seem like the cheaper thing to do initially, but with the amount of problems you're likely to have, the cost is going to end up being the same as a system a little bit larger in the long run. Bigger is just better IMO, no matter how you look at it. If it takes longer for you to get because you have to save cash, it's still worth it. Patience is key in this hobby.

I suggest you read the two articles stickied at the top of this forum. Both apply here; one is a beginners article, and the other is a stocking list for nano tanks. I think they'll help you out quite a bit.

-Ferret


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-Formerly known as the Ferretfish