newbie here..need advice

[kdfwr918]

First of all great site for info...
Well, After some pleading with the wife she has agreed to get a saltwater aquarium started for the kids....meaning me.
Starting off with a small budget so here's what i have so far and what I would like to accomplish
23 gal tank
hydrometer
hang on filter
water test kit
thermometer
heater
aquarium salt
25 lb ls
15 lb of lace rock
Question: Do I have all I need to sustain a pair of clowns?
I plan on later, 6mos-1yr, to move up to adding corals. I was told that the lace rock would be fine as a base for adding live rock in the future.
thanks

 

[noah's nemo]

I would say,yes you do.Get water in it(ro/di),start your cycle ,and keep us posted.Do not add fishies yet!

 

[subielover]

I would add at least add a few pounds of live rock. Aim for a minimum of 1 pound of rock per gallon of water. Also read this...https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/301033/101-tips-to-beginning-and-maintaining-a-saltwater-aquarium
and this...
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/160830/beginners-12-step-program
and finally this, I still reference this thread to this day...
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
Glad to have you aboard

 

[scottallert]

get a hang on filter that is set for a 55 gallon like 250 gph, this will give you good flow and circulation.

 

[pete159]

get a refractometer to test salt level.
Also don't bother with lace rock. It's only a tiny 20g tank so you may as well start off right. go with live rock right away, 20lbs should be good.
if you want a hang on the back filter the bigger the better, i would use an emperor 400, it may seem big but will allow you to add more fish to the tank. i have an emperor 280 on my 10 g guppy tank. Also think about a protein skimmer, they are great to have on a saltwater tank.

 

[ret talbot]

I would add at least add a few pounds of live rock. Aim for a minimum of 1 pound of rock per gallon of water.

Welcome!
I agree and would strongly encourage you to get some live rock now. It will help the tank cycle, and you won't have to worry about initiating another cycle if you were to add live rock to the established system (I have unfortunately seen more than one small system crashed this way).
Keep us posted and get some pics up for us!
Ret

www.SaltwaterSense.com

 

[kdfwr918]

I really appreciate the advice and help so far. I found a decent lfs yesterday that has live rock, so I will try and some pieces as soon as i get going.
I'll add some pics as soon as I start everything, kinda have to wait until tomorrow to take some pics. Santa Claus is bringing the tank, the wife printed out a couple of clown pics and we're going to tape them inside of the tank to give the kids an idea of what's to come....