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im_a_clownfish · 09-18-2005, 08:13 PM

Hi All!

I've had two freshwater tanks for just under a year now, and want to start up a saltwater tank. Although I have done lots of research on it, and have talked to a lot of people, I wanted to ask some of you long time saltwater fish keepers for some advice.

How big should my first tank be. I know, as big as possible would be ideal....however, it will be in my room so it can't be monstrous...

At my LFS they have a 65 gallon and 45 gallon tank at the same price, so that of course makes me want the 65 gallon. That's a pretty big tank for my room tho, and since I am making my own stand for it, more money for wood. (and more weight of course).

I will be putting some live rock in there, which I know displaces a lot of water. (By the way, how much live rock should I start with for a 45 or 65g tank?) It's sooo expensive...

Essentially, I would like to get a clown fish, a yellow tang (and hopefully a blue/yellow tank like dory in the finding nemo movie). I know tangs dont usually agree with each other, but if you have a big tank with other fish, and you start them from babies, will two (no more) be okay?

I was thinking of a false? clownfish, yellow tang, blue/yellow tang, angel flame, wrasse, goby firefish, yellow tail damsel (not as aggressive), and maybe another fish or two, with some cleaner shrimps.

So basically 7 or 8 fish, all starting very small. They are available as almost babies from my LFS. Will 7-8 fish be okay in the 45g tank? Especially since the goby, wrasse, and damsels aren't huge fish...

Any and all suggestions and advice are more than welcome. I've given up on the 1 inch per gallon rule, as I have found with freshwater that it can be underkill or overkill....

Are marine fish more or less suceptible to ammonia/nitrate poisoning? Thanks again for all your help!

Also, are UV sterilizers recommended? I've got a canister filter and a protein skimmer and the LFS suggested a UV sterilizer as a great way to keep down diseases. (Sick of medicating my freshwater fish, and seeing them suffer). Are these really effective and worthwhile in a tank, especially saltwater tank where fish are like $60-$100 each?

09-18-2005, 08:13 PM	#1
im_a_clownfish Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 28 Posts: 91	Size of first saltwater tank Hi All! I've had two freshwater tanks for just under a year now, and want to start up a saltwater tank. Although I have done lots of research on it, and have talked to a lot of people, I wanted to ask some of you long time saltwater fish keepers for some advice. How big should my first tank be. I know, as big as possible would be ideal....however, it will be in my room so it can't be monstrous... At my LFS they have a 65 gallon and 45 gallon tank at the same price, so that of course makes me want the 65 gallon. That's a pretty big tank for my room tho, and since I am making my own stand for it, more money for wood. (and more weight of course). I will be putting some live rock in there, which I know displaces a lot of water. (By the way, how much live rock should I start with for a 45 or 65g tank?) It's sooo expensive... Essentially, I would like to get a clown fish, a yellow tang (and hopefully a blue/yellow tank like dory in the finding nemo movie). I know tangs dont usually agree with each other, but if you have a big tank with other fish, and you start them from babies, will two (no more) be okay? I was thinking of a false? clownfish, yellow tang, blue/yellow tang, angel flame, wrasse, goby firefish, yellow tail damsel (not as aggressive), and maybe another fish or two, with some cleaner shrimps. So basically 7 or 8 fish, all starting very small. They are available as almost babies from my LFS. Will 7-8 fish be okay in the 45g tank? Especially since the goby, wrasse, and damsels aren't huge fish... Any and all suggestions and advice are more than welcome. I've given up on the 1 inch per gallon rule, as I have found with freshwater that it can be underkill or overkill.... Are marine fish more or less suceptible to ammonia/nitrate poisoning? Thanks again for all your help! Also, are UV sterilizers recommended? I've got a canister filter and a protein skimmer and the LFS suggested a UV sterilizer as a great way to keep down diseases. (Sick of medicating my freshwater fish, and seeing them suffer). Are these really effective and worthwhile in a tank, especially saltwater tank where fish are like $60-$100 each?