Best Setup for Newbie?

[more_cowbell]

Hey all.

I'm new to this site... and I have a few questions.
1. Are the Nanocubes/Biocubes worth it? I've priced them and really don't like how expensive they are. Especially considering I wouldn't need the filter and I'd have to upgrade the lighting. Should I just bite the bullet? Are the aesthetics worth the price?
2. How small it too small? Like, would a 3 gal. be too small for a couple of damsels?
and finally
3. How many fish do you reckon I could fit comfortably in a standard 10 gal? I was thinking of damsels or perculas (clowns).
Thanks in advance.
Nadia

 

[ophiura]

Welcome to the boards.
First off, small tanks are generally MORE difficult to keep than larger tanks. You really can not put much in a 3g tank. IMO, no fish is suitable but certainly not a damsel - or more than one. In a 10g, maybe 2 clowns or 2 damsels but realistically it may not work. THese are very small tanks and things can go very wrong, very fast.

 

[more_cowbell]

Thanks. I understand the risks/dangers of a small tank... but I don't want to have too big of a tank. I don't have very much room or money to work with here. I was thinking of a simple 10 gal setup with 12-20 lbs of LR and 12-15 lbs of LS. small cleanup crew. medium lighting with maybe a few low-medium light corals and one or two fish. Nothing complicated. I actually did more research after I started the thread and decided that I don't want a kit (cube or otherwise). I'm thinking a 10 would be perfect... any opinions?
Nadia

 

[alix]

youll have to be SUPER careful and check your levels and top off every day so nothing fluctuates too much which is REALLY common in small tanks.

 

[ophiura]

It is absolutely doable, just requires a fair amount of attention and appreciating your limitations

That means not overdoing it on fish.

 

[more_cowbell]

Yep. I understand all too well on the subject of overstocking. *bad memories of being an idiot*

Two small percs or damsels should be fine, right?
So what kind of test kits should I go for? I know I need ammonia, PH, salinity, what about calcium? should I get a test for it?
And do I need a filtration system? I was hoping to get by on biological filters (LR LS).
Thanks

 

[alix]

get a filter.
PLEASE

 

[more_cowbell]

Really? I've been reading that I didn't need one if I set it up right and cycled it properly. What kind of filter would I need?
And if I'm not getting corals for awhile, would I need a powerhead?

 

[ophiura]

A filter will be useful for circulation if nothing else. But you will need the circulation. They can be converted to small hang on refugiums too.
I'll tell you. 2 damsels, depending on species, could be a problem. I've very conservative on stocking and would prefer only one centerpiece fish in this tank...but that is me.
Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, alkalinity, pH, calcium and specific gravity are starting points on test kits. INVEST in good quality kits

 

[more_cowbell]

What about 1 true perc? Would he be lonely?

 

[aquaguy24]

u'll prolly save some money not doing a kit, but kits are very easy to set up..just add sw lr ls plug in all the wires and wait for it to cycle..u should be good with two true or false clowns the other clowns can get pretty big...if ur gonna do easy corals like mushrooms and zoos or star polyps..u shouldn't have the need for the light upgrade. especially its only a 10g.
ppl who don't use filters are experienced with sw tanks..since ur a newbie like i am..get a filter...

 

[more_cowbell]

Okay. Thanks for all your help guys!