very much a starter...

denise86 · 11-12-2006, 06:34 PM

i just started researching in hopes of setting up my first saltwater tank, i have a freshwater, 20g, that is doing very well,
any advise, i have my heart set on a clown tank, probably 20 or 30 g.

Ice · 11-12-2006, 08:16 PM

You definitely DO NOT want to start with a 20 or 30 gallon tank. I understand your desire to start a clown tank but a 40 or 46 gallon tank would do nicely instead. 50 gallons or larger is even better. Water paramters in larger tanks are more stable than in smaller tanks. Another simple advice - you don't need to have an anemone for the clowns to host them. Clownfish do very well without a host anemone. It's good to read and research first. During that time, you will learn new things everyday and will want to go with a bigger tank with other fishes to add along with your clownfish.

**Fishfirst** · 11-13-2006, 01:04 PM

definately look into a bigger tank if you can, 40 gallons is the minimum I would start with. IF you can't get a bigger tank because of spatial concerns consider looking into sumps.

denise86 · 11-13-2006, 01:11 PM

if i were to try to make it a 46g, which is all i have room for, how much live rock would i need, i've heard differing answers, just trying to get all my info straight before i even start purchasing anything.

Reefneck · 11-13-2006, 01:18 PM

None if this is going to be a fish only tank. You can add live rock if yu want and make it fish only with live rock but you don't have to.

If it is to be a reef tank then you want at minimum 1-1 1/2 pounds per gallon with lot's of expensive lighting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by denise86

if i were to try to make it a 46g, which is all i have room for, how much live rock would i need, i've heard differing answers, just trying to get all my info straight before i even start purchasing anything.

**Fishfirst** · 11-13-2006, 03:35 PM

Its hard to give a straight answer because liverock can be so different... it can be dense, it can be porus... the more dense it is, the more you need to get, the more porus, the less you'll need to get, in general.

denise86 · 11-13-2006, 08:02 PM

thanks for all the feedback, i still have a lot more research to do and a lot more saving up to do to set up a proper tank.

Ice · 11-13-2006, 08:21 PM

Just out of curiosity - what type of clownfish are looking to get ? Some do grow up to 6 inches. Maroon Clownfish and Clarkii (?) are a two that I know of that grow to that size. Others grow about 4 inches.
I know you have alot more research to do as I have been doing just that for 1 - 2 months now. It's exciting to read and learn and even better comes time to actually start the set-up and stocking the tank. The most important thing to remember is you must have patience. Alot of it too ! Take things slow and you will do fine. I know I will when I'm ready and confident to get my "feet wet" setting up my first successful SW aquarium tank.

denise86 · 11-13-2006, 08:30 PM

i'm considering percula clownfish, from what i understand these are smaller than maroons or clarkii. if this tank is successfull, i'd like to eventually set up a larger tank for a mix including yellow tangs, possibly a 150g if i ever save up enough

11-12-2006, 06:34 PM	#1
denise86 Fishy Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: san francisco Age: 22 Posts: 21	very much a starter... i just started researching in hopes of setting up my first saltwater tank, i have a freshwater, 20g, that is doing very well, any advise, i have my heart set on a clown tank, probably 20 or 30 g.

11-13-2006, 01:04 PM	#3
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,535	definately look into a bigger tank if you can, 40 gallons is the minimum I would start with. IF you can't get a bigger tank because of spatial concerns consider looking into sumps. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

11-13-2006, 03:35 PM	#6
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,535	Its hard to give a straight answer because liverock can be so different... it can be dense, it can be porus... the more dense it is, the more you need to get, the more porus, the less you'll need to get, in general. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

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11-12-2006, 08:16 PM	#2
Ice Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 43 Posts: 531	You definitely DO NOT want to start with a 20 or 30 gallon tank. I understand your desire to start a clown tank but a 40 or 46 gallon tank would do nicely instead. 50 gallons or larger is even better. Water paramters in larger tanks are more stable than in smaller tanks. Another simple advice - you don't need to have an anemone for the clowns to host them. Clownfish do very well without a host anemone. It's good to read and research first. During that time, you will learn new things everyday and will want to go with a bigger tank with other fishes to add along with your clownfish.

11-13-2006, 01:11 PM	#4
denise86 Fishy Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: san francisco Age: 22 Posts: 21	if i were to try to make it a 46g, which is all i have room for, how much live rock would i need, i've heard differing answers, just trying to get all my info straight before i even start purchasing anything.

11-13-2006, 08:02 PM	#7
denise86 Fishy Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: san francisco Age: 22 Posts: 21	thanks for all the feedback, i still have a lot more research to do and a lot more saving up to do to set up a proper tank.

11-13-2006, 08:21 PM	#8
Ice Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 43 Posts: 531	Just out of curiosity - what type of clownfish are looking to get ? Some do grow up to 6 inches. Maroon Clownfish and Clarkii (?) are a two that I know of that grow to that size. Others grow about 4 inches. I know you have alot more research to do as I have been doing just that for 1 - 2 months now. It's exciting to read and learn and even better comes time to actually start the set-up and stocking the tank. The most important thing to remember is you must have patience. Alot of it too ! Take things slow and you will do fine. I know I will when I'm ready and confident to get my "feet wet" setting up my first successful SW aquarium tank.

11-13-2006, 08:30 PM	#9
denise86 Fishy Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: san francisco Age: 22 Posts: 21	i'm considering percula clownfish, from what i understand these are smaller than maroons or clarkii. if this tank is successfull, i'd like to eventually set up a larger tank for a mix including yellow tangs, possibly a 150g if i ever save up enough

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