Help Please!! I am new at this!!

[qtdancer]

Hi! I have a small 5 gallon fish tank, FW... but I am looking into getting into the aquarium hobby more by having a salt water tank. How big does the aquarium have to be? I know I can't use my 5 gallon tank - but I don't want a huge tank either, who knows, I may end up not having enough time for it afterall. I know the smaller the tank, the less fish you can have, but that is okay. So... could I have a 20 gallon tank, or would you recommend a bigger tank? I was thinking of a couple fish that I'd like to have, Percula Clown Fish, Yellow Watchman Goby, an Anemone, and maybe some Peppermint Shrimp and snails. Are they all a good combo? Could I have say 2 clown fish, 1 goby, and shrimps and snails in a 20 gal tank, or is too small? How would I go about setting this up? I've read the site... but I guess I need some more one on one help. Thanks so much!!!
:help:

 

[mudplayerx]

Get as big a tank as you can afford. If you want anemones, the lighting for your tank is going to cost at least 2-3 times more than the tank and stand together.

 

[acekjd83]

well, in SW, bigger is better, but you dont NEED big... my tank is only 29g. first of all, you need a protein skimmer, which is usually close to 150 dollars for a small, hang on back type. other than that, it's all up to you. you probably shouldn't get too many snails or shrimp if you have a small tank, 'cuz they will probably starve if you dont have a lot of algae, but one or two would PROBABLY be ok...
basically, just make sure you do some reading and dont be afraid to ask questions when you start deciding what you'd like to do! everyone has been in your position before, and will be more than happy to lend a hand.:yes:

 

[qtdancer]

Well - I don't think I am going to need a stand for a tank... I have a very large, sturdy bookcase type of shelf that I believe a tank would fit on - of course I won't put it on there if I am not positive it will stay... But - it is good to know that I can have a smaller tank. I mean, maybe eventually I will want a larger tank, but I need to make sure I have time for a small tank first - I am assuming the bigger you get, the harder and more time consuming it could be. As for Anemones, I was just thinking of that more along the line of for the Clown Fish... but if I don't need one... or if it might be difficult to have one, then I will wait on that. Does my combo of fish sound okay? What do I have to keep in mind when picking different species of fish to put together? Oh, and what kind of sand or gravel would you recommend? What about rocks or coral? Do they all have to be live? What would be the best way to go with that? Thanks in advance for all your help!!

 

[buzzword]

QT, my advice, and I'm new to this as well, is read the threads by Beth at the top of this page first. Get some books and read all the posts you can here. Then make some decisions. And the smaller the tank the harder to maintain. HTH

 

[acekjd83]

i personally like my live sand (in SW, the gravels are a no-no, with the exception of crushed coral and aragonite), but some people will probably have different opinions. like i said, whatever you want in the way of equipment is your decision...
anemones have little photosynthetic organisms in their tissues called zooxanthellae that need lots of light to photosynthesize, so anemones die if they dont have a lot of light.
as far as your fish combo, i think it sounds ok, except that i think 2 small fish and 3-4 invertebrates are about the max. for a 20g tank, and even those should be added slowly, over time.

 

[qtdancer]

Yeah - I was definitely going to be adding the fish slowly. Setting up the tank and then letting it run for awhile... probably a couple weeks at least. I have until May 10th when I am done with school - which is when I will have my weeknights back and more time to devote to something. I figure if I can purchase things slowly I won't feel a strain financially. What about aquarium decorations? Do they all have to be live things? I think I need to get a book on this - too bad I have no time to hit the book store until the weekend!! But, I still think I'd learn better for talking with other people and using their advice...

 

[mudplayerx]

Please do yourself a favor and read the post at the top of this forum "Advice for New Hobbyists." You definatley sound like you have a lot to learn, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Your statement about "letting the tank run for a couple of weeks" before putting anything into it makes me worried. Please read about setting up a tank, cycling a tank, testing the water, water changes, and types of water to use beofore you go any further with the hobby
Here is the thread you should read:
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...threadid=80022

 

[acekjd83]

usually people will start with fake decorations but then move on to livedecorations, since most of the fake stuff LOOKS fake, and kinda detracts from the beauty of the livestock, but again, it's all about what you like. there are definitely some ugly live things and pretty fake things, so it's up to you.
like mudplayerx said, you should really read about the cycling process and learn more about what makes things work. its easy to buy a tank and some fish and throw them in some water, but if they die then what's the point? the sw ecosystem is much more complex than FW, but if you understand the basic process, then the experience is much easier and more fulfilling.