I Dont Know What To Get?

[lucylion1098]

I have a freshwater tank now so im not really a begginer and now im going to start a saltwater one over the summer. I have been doing loads of research, so far i like the ocellaris clownfish, coral beauty angelfish, firefish, mardarinfish,and the midas blenny. And my tank will be a 45 gallons.
I cant decide on what fish to get but for sure im getting one clownfish and one coral beauty but i cant decide what other fish to get!
In one book it said to multiply the length of the tank(36) and by the width (12) and i got 432 and that each inch of the fish you have to have 47 inches squared of the tank so you divide 432 by 47 and its about 9.2 inch of fish, lol. the clownfish about 2 inches, and the coral beauty is about 4 inches. Which mean i have 3.2 inches left so i could get a firefish, or 1 mardarinfish, or 1 midas blenney! I like them all, so what do you think is the best one to get out of the four fisheys?

Also i dont want any of them to breed that would be too much work :I

 

[rickross23]

I would say a chromis or royal dottyback or something easy, and small. Go on live aquaria and look at their fish for Fish for beginners section. It also gives a decent minimum tank size on it unlike many online retailers. Mandarinfish are difficult to care for because of their strict diet of copepods. They need a refugium. Do you have a sump? There are many options for your tank, even though you have 4 inches left, DO RESEARCH and find fish you like. Also, get some snails, shrimp, crabs. They make a CUC (clean up crew) and they help clean your tank-rocks, glass, etc. They are also fun to watch move around. post here

 

[lucylion1098]

ok... i dont think i have a sump... and ill look on that website and the royal dotty back is super cute ill think about it thank you!
Oh and do you think it would be a good idea for me to try and make it a reef and fish aquarium?

 

[rickross23]

I Definetly think you should try for a reef, but there are several things you need to know.
Corals need great lighting or they will die.
Coral beauty's are a hit it or miss in a reef, they may nip at sps corals
You need great filtration and excellent parameters, also frequent water changes. Other than that, corals are like fish that don't move. So I say, if youre dedicated, try a reef.

 

[njbillyv]

It really depends on how much money, time, and effort you want to put into it. Reef tanks require pristine water quality and expensive lighting, whereas FOWLR tanks are relatively easy to maintain. You could go FOWLR for now, then once you get the hang of it add some easy corals, and go from there. One thing I do think most people would agree on though, get yourself a really good protein skimmer.
Good Luck!

 

[bang guy]

There is a very good chance that you will eventually want a reef tank. Even if you start with just fish buy equipment meant for a reef so you only have to buy the stuff once.
For fish, looks to me like you're on the right track. Try to be content with just the Clownfish for a while. The longer you stretch out the fish additions the better you chance at success will be.

 

[slice]

Welcome to the site!!
Listen to the advice folks give you, read up on everything. A great resource for beginners are the recommended threads at the top of the New Hobbyist forum here:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/f/15/new-hobbyists
You will enjoy your stay here!
Welcome again!!

 

[lucylion1098]

Ok I will start with a fish and live rock tank and in a year when I have a better expirience I will start the reef tank so Thank you so much your advise really helped me

 

[rickross23]

That's what we do! That's a great idea.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy your stay!