planning on getting started...

[jguad]

rumor has it that my little brother is giving me his old 20G tank. now i am not new to the fish world, as i've been keeping africans and a mixed tank for a while. but i have always been fascinated with salt water. i don't plan on doing anything till atleast june (i want to do as much research as possible). all i want to know is
1. what type of sand is best? or can i use stone?
2. can i use a hang on filter for the tank (an emperor 280) and a whisper 40?
3. i plan on only having a few fish, 1 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Yellow Tang, maybe 1 Clown Goby, and one each of Yellowtail Damselfish and Bicolor Pseudochromis. at very minimum 1 clown and 1 tang. i know overstocking isn't great, but with african's i have had success because it has cut down aggression.
4. DO I REALLY NEED LIVE ROCKS? This will be my first tank, so if it fails (and i pray it doesnt), i don't want to get killed in the pocket.
I will def have more questions, but i want to thank you for your time. and i promise, i will be reading up on it from now till june, so i don't do anything too crazy.
--jay

 

[who dey]

Originally Posted by jguad
rumor has it that my little brother is giving me his old 20G tank. now i am not new to the fish world, as i've been keeping africans and a mixed tank for a while. but i have always been fascinated with salt water. i don't plan on doing anything till atleast june (i want to do as much research as possible). all i want to know is
1. what type of sand is best? or can i use stone?
2. can i use a hang on filter for the tank (an emperor 280) and a whisper 40?
3. i plan on only having a few fish, 1 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Yellow Tang, maybe 1 Clown Goby, and one each of Yellowtail Damselfish and Bicolor Pseudochromis. at very minimum 1 clown and 1 tang. i know overstocking isn't great, but with african's i have had success because it has cut down aggression.
4. DO I REALLY NEED LIVE ROCKS? This will be my first tank, so if it fails (and i pray it doesnt), i don't want to get killed in the pocket.
I will def have more questions, but i want to thank you for your time. and i promise, i will be reading up on it from now till june, so i don't do anything too crazy.
--jay
Welcome Jay to SWF.com I would recommend Live Sand as ur substrate. It is easier to keep clean and doesn't have the tendency to trap nitrates like Crushed Coral can. Filtration sounds good, I would suggest a Hang on back skimmer such as an aqua c remora or a prizm skimmer. I would suggest at least a 75 gallon tank for the yellow tang. They are very strong swimmers and will be very stressed out in a 20g. Live rock is recommended to house the beneficial nitrifying becteria you need to keep your water parameters in check. Good luck and remember to do plenty of research and add slowly. Patience is a must in the salt world.