getting a 12 gallon eclipse saltwater tank, what should i expect?

gfk

gfk

Member
A friend is moving across the country and can't take her 12 gallon, saltwater eclipse tank with her. she is going to sell it to me, I'm not sure how much yet, but under $100. it has already cycled and it has live rock in it, and a small puffer fish.
I dont know how much rock is in there, and i have read on here before about tanks but im wondering what all i can put in there. i will probably have the tank later tonight so i can take pictures and post them later this week, because im about to move tomorrow and not have internet for a week or so. how many fish can i put in a 12 gallon tank, i know its not much, but can i put like 1 or 2 more fish in there? how about anenomes or star fish, or something that will grow on the live rock?
once again the tank is cycled and has been running for about a year now with no problems, so basically she told me the system takes care of its self with me doing water changes every 2 weeks. she is going to tell me everything i need to know about it later but iw ant to get some more opinions from people on here. the model on the tank is an eclipse 12.
 
viper_930

viper_930

Active Member
What kind of puffer is small enough to fit in a 12 gallon? You can only put 1 fish in there, or 2 really really small ones. Not anymore than that, and not more than the puffer in there already. No anemones, maybe a star if you keep the water parameters stable.
Are you looking for corals to grow on the LR? If so, you will need to upgrade the lighting in there. Most corals are photosynthetic and need adequate lighting, but some are non-photosynthetic but still require lots of work for feedings.
 
gfk

gfk

Member
im not sure on the exact setup, once she brings it to me i will know everything. im also not sure what kind of puffer, i will ask her as soon as she gets home, id imagine it would be the smallest ones available but looking at the ones for sale on here none look like they are that small. if i got rid of the puffer, could i have a clown fish and an anenome or just a couple tiny fish. first thing that came to mind when she told me was that the fish shouldnt be in there. so its not my mistake that she did it :D however if its not adequet for the fish i will remove it eventually after she moves and wont hate me for getting rid of her fish.
i would be willing to upgrade the lighting if its not adequet since im getting a good deal on the tank. i wanna make it right, and eventually upgrade to a bigger tank. this is my learning experience as its my first salt water tank obviously.
 
lilredcmc

lilredcmc

Member
i have always been told and read that you really shouldn't start a sw tank in anything under 30. it is just to small to get things to stable and not only that you really can't put that much in there so it would be a waste. how long has your friend has this tank and how long has it been up and running? what type of puffer do you have??
 
viper_930

viper_930

Active Member
No anemone. They require very stable water parameters and that cannot be met with a nano tank unless by special care by experienced people. So are you or are you not wanting to put in corals?
i have always been told and read that you really shouldn't start a sw tank in anything under 30. it is just to small to get things to stable and not only that you really can't put that much in there so it would be a waste.
Go check out the nano forum and see what you've been missing!
 
brownleaf

brownleaf

Member
I think nano is good thing because you can learn more just to take care a nano. And when you get to a bigger tank, that would be a piece of cake.
 
gfk

gfk

Member
she has had the tank for a while now, i will ask her when i talk to her. it is up and stable i know that much. im also not sure what type of puffer it is, but i just checked out the nano forum, and now i wanna do something like some of those guys in there have.
reason i am using this one as my first tank is that its cheap, and if i dont buy it from her, shes not sure what shes gonna do with it. i dont know how long it will be til i get bored and want to buy a bigger tank, but by the way i am with other things, it probably wont last me long

i was looking in the "biggest nano thread" and there is one in there that seems pretty busy. if need be id like to have maybe one small fish, and some stuff living on the rocks, but to be honest i see pictures and am just like oooh ahhh that looks nice but most of the stuff im not sure what it is. im learning though so itll take me some time.
as far as coral, im not sure. what options do i have, i mean i want as much going on in there as possible without making the fish or other creatures uncomfortable
i just checked out the coral section on here, and yea i want to put some of those in there. i get stuff mixed up when looking at pictures, i cant really tell things apart yet, but i wasnt under the impression corals were as cool looking as some that are for sale on here
edit: what is considered a nano? i suppose i should go read the faq section again :):eek:
 
gfk

gfk

Member
im in chico, and im from benicia (concord, vallejo, fairfield area if you didnt know where benicia is)
this guys is awesome, i want something like this, his is the same kind of tank im getting 12g
 
brownleaf

brownleaf

Member
Than you have to give up the puffer. That's a nice looking tank!
Been to Chico once to visit a friend in Chico State.
And Benicia, yes lot of oil refinery.
 
brownleaf

brownleaf

Member
Well, I move back to oakland from SF not long ago. That's even more close. I'm off High St.
gfk, sorry for hijack.
 
gfk

gfk

Member
ok i found out its a sharp nosed puffer, or a tobie.

she said the tank has been up for 2-3 years, and there is about 2.5 pounds of live rock
 
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