Cant Decide

[kedabo]

:help: I just bought my first saltwater setup a 10 gallon tank. The people at my local fish store could not tell me how many and what types of fish, and or inverts I could put in the tank.

Any help would be very useful.

I have been keeping freshwater fish for four years now and my wife got me this tank for fathers day. I followed the instructions in a book on salt water setups to start the tank but still no tips on what kind or how many animals I could put in.

 

[seasalt101]

welcome the first thing is a small tank is very difficult as far as water parameters go so is the tank cycled yet? i would only put maybe 2 fish in there at most and a cleaner crew, a couple of snails and a cleaner shrimp and for fish being that you are new you want hardy fish i would go with clown fish very personable and hardy get one small and one larger stay away from damsels hope that helps

 

[ray28576]

I say don't go with a larger clown for a 10gl. You could go with a percula or maybe an oscelleris but those are the only kind I would recomend for a tank that small. I agree with seasalt on only one or two fish. I also think a yellowtail damsel would look good in a 10gl. You could also try clown gobies, they are really small and look cool. What kind of filtration are you going to be using? Any LR yet? You will need to do some more research (I'm sure you already knew that LOL.) Do you plan to make it Fish Only, or a reef? This is a fun and exciting hobby, and you will get addicted.

Hope this helps.

 

[kedabo]

The tank is cycling now. I was going to wait until late Sunday to add any animals. That way I can test the water a few times to make sure there are'nt any flucuations in P.H., and Density.

 

[kedabo]

I am using UG filtration right now , but I will be adding a power head later. I have a one pound piece of LR, the place I bought it at charges $9.00 a LB, I plan on adding more. I am doing alot of research that is how I found this message board. It will be Fish only but I plan on owning a large reef tank in a few years. Thanx fot the help

 

[whitey_028]

lr rock will definately help in such a small tank but good grief $9 a lb is omg. Did the fish store lube you first?

 

[kedabo]

No kidding. I had to though I needed it to start my tank cycling. There is a store about 30 miles from my home that has LR for $7 and I'm going there sunday to get some higher quality LR and better cared for fish and inverts to start my tank of with.

 

[whitey_028]

this site sells its for 5.83 a lbs and its probably good stuff... Luckily i found a place around here that sells it for 2.99 a lb... for figi rock but for such a small tank you wont need much... my starter tank was a 55 a couple years ago and it now too small... I would honestly suggest getting a little larger tank since you have to do the same thing with a big tank as you do a small on... You still have to go through the motions and a small tank is much harder to keep... I am very afraid you give up on the saltwater hobby as it is fascinating becuse if god forbid something go wrong because small tanks are harder to keep than big ones...There is a whole world of thing you unfortunately you wont be able to do with such a tiny tank...there are usually lots of good deals in the paper if you look closely...or even on this site ive seen good deals in the trade and sell section...

 

[viper_930]

How long ago was the tank first setup and started cycling?
Are you also testing for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates?
Right off the bat, I'd suggest removing the DSB and adding a power filter, or if you can fit one, a protein skimmer. The UGF will just suck up a bunch of waste and detritus into the sand bed where it'll degrade.

 

[kedabo]

I know it's small but it is the largest I can fit in my apartment right now

. I currently have 3 fresh water tanks running right now a 35, 10, and 1/2 gallon tank. There are only 700 square feet of living space so 10 gallons is about all I can do. I do want to get a 75 gallon reef tank started when we move into either a larger apartment or a house. I dont give up to easily anyhow, it will take a little loving but I think I can do it.