May Be Interested In Starting A Tank

[animalman]

Hey everyone,
I posted a topic a week or so ago saying that I might be starting a tank. I have always been interested in salt water tanks and would like to have a small one. My parents really don't want me to have any pets now since I am so busy with school and such but since summer just started and I have time to get it all set up, I know that once it is fully set up, it won't be too difficult to maintain. I am thinking a small tank, maybe around 10 gallons.
Lets say I buy a 10 gallon tank, what fish species could I prossibly keep in there. I am guessing that I could keep 1 small fish with some coral and rocks or possible 2 very small fish but that is just me thinking. I would like to know of good species that I could possibly keep in a 10 gallon tank. I would also appreciate if you all could give me information on the live rocks, the filtering and the coral and such. I don't have too much room in my bedroom and if we decided to keep it in the family room, there wouldn't be terribly much more. This would be my only pet so I want to make it really nice and cool. I want to also get all of my facts straight and get an idea of what I want to buy before I ask my parents or even bring it up.
I just wanted to add, a few fish species that I like so far and think would be alright in a 10 gallon, depending on species are seahorses and clownfish.
Also, how much would a small tank of that size cost to maintain a month and what would I have to do to it every week/month? Any other information or recommendations would be appreciated. I am sure that I will have more questions soon.

 

[triga22]

I myself wouldnt start off with a 10. I would look into something a bit bigger. I started with a 29 and I like it alot. This is what I would do. Go to petsmart down the tank isle. Look at the 20 gallonish tanks. Buy them with no filter or hoods or anything just buy the tank. The best way to buy supplies is online they are deffinatly the cheapest and S&H is little. A small tank has no room for error, the bigger the better. Please take my advice and email me so I can tell you more. bravesfantyler@bellsouth.net

 

[animalman]

Thanks for the advice you have given me, it does make perfect sense, I am just not sure if I will be able to do that though because of cost and room space.
So, I do have a few more questions. What does the terms "zoo", "hand-fed" (do you actually take your hand to the fish and feed them?), and "reef tank" all mean? Do corals actually eat, like do you have to buy them specific food and feed them and how do you actually feed fish and corals, etc.? Do you drop food in the tank or hand-feed them?
Also, here is a tank that I was looking at, I know it is 8 gallons which is 2 gallons smaller than what i said before. It just looks really nice and is a great size for me. It looks professional and well-made too. What could I possibly keep in that tank?

 

[triga22]

Alright, in a 8 gallon you could keep a clownfish. or a goby. I wouldnt do more than 1 fish.

 

[shinobi9119]

dude u ask a LOT LOT of reeally intelligent questions, but if you dont want to spend all the time in front of a cmputer screen, you might consider the book The Conscientious Marine Aquarist . The book is worth it, because it will answer a lot of questions on having a saltwater tank. it is on this site for paperback and hardcover https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=6

 

[animalman]

Haha, I get on the computer off and on during the day now since it is summer. Thanks for the comment, I suppose it is a compliment. I might consider getting the book.
So, after I have been doing a little more research I have a couple more questions and also some more information for myself. What are some cool corals that are fairly easy to obtain and are on the cheaper side that would fit in an 8 gallon tank? I also want to add that I enjoy the look of gobies as well, they seem really cool. I was checking out De Martini's thread of her 12 gallon tank and such and I got a few ideas from that. What are some good goby species for an 8 gallon and which can go together? I am now thinking that some coral, 2 gobies, maybe a crab/shrimp, and some live rock and sand would be a nice little tank. What are some good crab and shrimp species as well that mix well with gobies and where do I actually obtain live rock and sand?
Thanks so much for all of the help in advance guys. I know that I ask a lot of questions but I figure that you all would definitely have the answers.

 

[triga22]

In an 8 you could do a yellow watchman and a very small goby like a clown goby. Most shrimp and crabs work. You do know that with such a small tank if 1 problem pops up it will be hard to fix. The salinity will also drop on such a small tank quickly so do topoffs everyday.

 

[animalman]

Well, I do love the look of the watchmen goby so that might be a good choice. I am also sure that they sell them close by so it would be easy to obtain. I don't quite know if I have seen a clown goby locally before but I think I have. It looks like a nice little fish too.
I do fully understand that if one small thing goes wrong, the tank is going to go down-hill fast and be hard to fix. But, once a tank is established, is does do fairly well and it requires less maintenance since I won't be adding much, if anything, right? When you say top-off everyday, you mean that I would make a little water and add it to the tank, correct?

 

[triga22]

Once it is established it should be fine. Top off is just addin RODI water to the tank cause of evaporation. No salt needed there because the salt stays when the water evaporates

 

[animalman]

Oh alright, that is all good to know, thank you. What does RODI water stand for? I am guessing it just means dechlorinated water.