Please answer these!!

FishieFreak_882 · 05-22-2005, 03:02 PM

Hi, I was just wondering...

Is a 10 gallon saltwater tank too little?

Are saltwater tanks harder to take care of than freshwater for 'beginners'?

Can saltwater fish live in brackish water?

Can freshwater fish live in brackish water?

Please answer these questions in an IM for me...thanks!

FishieFreak_882

fishfreaks · 05-22-2005, 04:25 PM

saltwater tanks are easier to maintain the bigger they are.

**TheOldSalt** · 05-22-2005, 06:12 PM

Why do you want your answer in a PM?

10 gallons is too small for a beginner.
10 gallons is too small anyway.

Saltwater is comparable to freshwater in difficulty, but you have to know and heed the differences.

Brackishwater fish live in brackish water.
Other fish may venture into brackish water on occasion, but they won't live in it permanently, so don't even THINK about trying to keep freshwater and saltwater fish in the same brackish tank.

Pac-Man · 05-22-2005, 06:24 PM

i think malawain pro has a 10g saltwater so it isnt too small to do, just extremely difficult to maintain. alot of people keep "nano reefs" It is alot easier to just get a bigger tank though. and yes freshwater is cheaper and easier to maintain than salt water. If your a beginner, you should start fresh.

**TheOldSalt** · 05-22-2005, 11:49 PM

Don't encourage him, PacMan. Nano-reefs are just about the stupidest things ever invented, and not at all for anyone without masochistic tendencies. If it can only be done under extreme difficulty, then what's the point in doing it? Nanoreefers are the same kind of people who like to stuff 6 comet goldfish into a one-gallon fishbowl, and usually for the same reason; they're too cheap to do the job right. They don't care about the well-being of their pets, so long as they look nice and don't cost too much.
Is that fair to the fish?

10 gallons is too small.
"Practical" and "barely possible" are two very different things.
Trying a nanoreef in a ridiculous attempt to save money nearly always results in wasted money, so just do it right in the first place. Nanos are for skilled keepers only who have time to spend on them.

Pac-Man · 05-23-2005, 02:53 PM

im srry... i didnt mean to encourage him, i just said it could be done, thats all. i didnt mean to offend anyone... srry mom, i mean old salt! lol j/k

**TheOldSalt** · 05-23-2005, 09:16 PM

That's okay.; no need to apologize. I just get a little carried away over nanos. LOL!

hail_sniper · 05-26-2005, 10:27 PM

i keep a nano, but i only keep a small perc in it (temp till i can get my 90 setup and put that in it, itll mainly house a goby, but all i have in there is simple stuff like zoo's and shrooms

i dont think their hard to maintain (if you know what your doing, and you dont go be stupid and do any sps

**TheOldSalt** · 05-27-2005, 01:34 AM

I agree, it's just that there are an awful lot of "ifs" involved, and too many for the beginner, who ironically is the typical person looking to start a nano for all the wrong reasons.

By the way, welcome back!

hail_sniper · 05-28-2005, 12:56 PM

glad to be back, yep many noobies end up starting with a nano and waste their money because it turns out their options are very limited and theyll have to get a bigger tank, the best beginner size is 60, but 30 is a minimum

**Osiris** · 05-28-2005, 09:03 PM

<--- Will always be a noob to Reef

FishieFreak_882 · 06-04-2005, 08:43 AM

im a girl, by the way....but, thanks! i appreciate it. its just that freshwater seems to EASY to take care of, so i thought that i could use my 10 gallon for a small saltwater, but with no real coral. i think that could be too much work!

**Osiris** · 06-04-2005, 09:09 AM

ah well then in that case "do you have a b/f?" lol
j/k

Even without coral the thing with thing is SG levels can drop daily! and toxic levels can rise unless water changes are kept up weekly. you'll have some diatom algae for prolly first month or two also. just some info...

**TheOldSalt** · 06-04-2005, 08:01 PM

Uhm, the SG doesn't drop, it goes up with evaporation.

Freshwater too easy? Hmm... maybe you'd like a challenge, then.

**Fishfirst** · 06-05-2005, 12:39 AM

Just remember, with a 10 gallon you will be adding water quite often to keep that salinity in check. Also, nitrates build up fast in a small tank... a protien skimmer is a good way to go to control it, but not necessary with frequent water changes.

cameraman_2 · 06-05-2005, 10:41 AM

I once wanted a 10 gallon saltwater tank and I was told that you have to have a bigger tank that you can use to change the water with it daily.

**Osiris** · 06-05-2005, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOldSalt

Uhm, the SG doesn't drop, it goes up with evaporation.

Freshwater too easy? Hmm... maybe you'd like a challenge, then.

Gosh dang it i did it again! that's twice i believe u got me on that one correction lol. Thanx.

**Fishfirst** · 06-06-2005, 12:02 PM

not really true cameraman, adding new saltwater is better than using water from a different system. The solution to pollution is dillussion, adding water from another tank would add more pollution.

ingo_1978 · 06-13-2005, 06:45 AM

Wouldn't a fish only setup with a good filter and skimmer be easy enough?

**Fishfirst** · 06-13-2005, 09:55 AM

well yeah, if they went a little bigger... I mean, nanos are a lot of work... I have a 20 gallon "nano" and I gotta add water constantly cuz of evaporation. Plus I ALWAYS make sure to test every 3-5 days to make sure those nitrates don't go up or that I don't have water chemistry issues because it happens quite a bit.

05-22-2005, 03:02 PM	#1
FishieFreak_882 Fishy Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 16 User Feedback: (0)	Please answer these!! Hi, I was just wondering... Is a 10 gallon saltwater tank too little? Are saltwater tanks harder to take care of than freshwater for 'beginners'? Can saltwater fish live in brackish water? Can freshwater fish live in brackish water? Please answer these questions in an IM for me...thanks! FishieFreak_882

05-22-2005, 04:25 PM	#2
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303 User Feedback: (5)	saltwater tanks are easier to maintain the bigger they are. __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

05-22-2005, 06:24 PM	#4
Pac-Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 4 Posts: 576 User Feedback: (0)	i think malawain pro has a 10g saltwater so it isnt too small to do, just extremely difficult to maintain. alot of people keep "nano reefs" It is alot easier to just get a bigger tank though. and yes freshwater is cheaper and easier to maintain than salt water. If your a beginner, you should start fresh. __________________ 29g Planted Open Top Community 1x65W Coralife PC, Sand, DIY C02 7 Neon Tetras 8 Lemon Tetras 5 Emerald Brochis 10g Planted Flourite, DIY C02 6x Java Fern 4 Cherry Barbs

05-23-2005, 02:53 PM	#6
Pac-Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 4 Posts: 576 User Feedback: (0)	im srry... i didnt mean to encourage him, i just said it could be done, thats all. i didnt mean to offend anyone... srry mom, i mean old salt! lol j/k __________________ 29g Planted Open Top Community 1x65W Coralife PC, Sand, DIY C02 7 Neon Tetras 8 Lemon Tetras 5 Emerald Brochis 10g Planted Flourite, DIY C02 6x Java Fern 4 Cherry Barbs

05-26-2005, 10:27 PM	#8
hail_sniper The Frugal Reefer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Downey, Ca Posts: 195 User Feedback: (0)	i keep a nano, but i only keep a small perc in it (temp till i can get my 90 setup and put that in it, itll mainly house a goby, but all i have in there is simple stuff like zoo's and shrooms i dont think their hard to maintain (if you know what your doing, and you dont go be stupid and do any sps __________________ Sam H. Member of MASLAC 30gal reef 90gal planning

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05-22-2005, 06:12 PM	#3
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,008 User Feedback: (5)	Why do you want your answer in a PM? 10 gallons is too small for a beginner. 10 gallons is too small anyway. Saltwater is comparable to freshwater in difficulty, but you have to know and heed the differences. Brackishwater fish live in brackish water. Other fish may venture into brackish water on occasion, but they won't live in it permanently, so don't even THINK about trying to keep freshwater and saltwater fish in the same brackish tank.

05-22-2005, 11:49 PM	#5
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,008 User Feedback: (5)	Don't encourage him, PacMan. Nano-reefs are just about the stupidest things ever invented, and not at all for anyone without masochistic tendencies. If it can only be done under extreme difficulty, then what's the point in doing it? Nanoreefers are the same kind of people who like to stuff 6 comet goldfish into a one-gallon fishbowl, and usually for the same reason; they're too cheap to do the job right. They don't care about the well-being of their pets, so long as they look nice and don't cost too much. Is that fair to the fish? 10 gallons is too small. "Practical" and "barely possible" are two very different things. Trying a nanoreef in a ridiculous attempt to save money nearly always results in wasted money, so just do it right in the first place. Nanos are for skilled keepers only who have time to spend on them.

05-23-2005, 09:16 PM	#7
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,008 User Feedback: (5)	That's okay.; no need to apologize. I just get a little carried away over nanos. LOL!

05-27-2005, 01:34 AM	#9
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,008 User Feedback: (5)	I agree, it's just that there are an awful lot of "ifs" involved, and too many for the beginner, who ironically is the typical person looking to start a nano for all the wrong reasons. By the way, welcome back!

05-28-2005, 12:56 PM	#10
hail_sniper The Frugal Reefer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Downey, Ca Posts: 195 User Feedback: (0)	glad to be back, yep many noobies end up starting with a nano and waste their money because it turns out their options are very limited and theyll have to get a bigger tank, the best beginner size is 60, but 30 is a minimum __________________ Sam H. Member of MASLAC 30gal reef 90gal planning

05-28-2005, 09:03 PM	#11
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,632 User Feedback: (12)	<--- Will always be a noob to Reef __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

06-04-2005, 08:43 AM	#12
FishieFreak_882 Fishy Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 16 User Feedback: (0)	im a girl, by the way....but, thanks! i appreciate it. its just that freshwater seems to EASY to take care of, so i thought that i could use my 10 gallon for a small saltwater, but with no real coral. i think that could be too much work!

06-04-2005, 09:09 AM	#13
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,632 User Feedback: (12)	ah well then in that case "do you have a b/f?" lol j/k Even without coral the thing with thing is SG levels can drop daily! and toxic levels can rise unless water changes are kept up weekly. you'll have some diatom algae for prolly first month or two also. just some info... __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

06-04-2005, 08:01 PM	#14
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,008 User Feedback: (5)	Uhm, the SG doesn't drop, it goes up with evaporation. Freshwater too easy? Hmm... maybe you'd like a challenge, then.

06-05-2005, 12:39 AM	#15
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Soon to be Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,480 User Feedback: (1)	Just remember, with a 10 gallon you will be adding water quite often to keep that salinity in check. Also, nitrates build up fast in a small tank... a protien skimmer is a good way to go to control it, but not necessary with frequent water changes. __________________ 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

06-05-2005, 10:41 AM	#16
cameraman_2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maumelle, AR Age: 25 Posts: 123 User Feedback: (0)	I once wanted a 10 gallon saltwater tank and I was told that you have to have a bigger tank that you can use to change the water with it daily. __________________ 55 Gallon ...1 Pleco ...4 Sunshine Pea****************s ...1 Altolamprologus Calvus ...1 Cyrtocara Moorii (Blue Dolphin) ...1 Julidochromis Marlieri Burundi ...1 Neolamprologus brichardi ...1 Yellow Lab ...1 Sciaenochromis fryeri (Chewere)

06-06-2005, 12:02 PM	#18
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Soon to be Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,480 User Feedback: (1)	not really true cameraman, adding new saltwater is better than using water from a different system. The solution to pollution is dillussion, adding water from another tank would add more pollution. __________________ 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

06-13-2005, 06:45 AM	#19
ingo_1978 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 4 User Feedback: (0)	Wouldn't a fish only setup with a good filter and skimmer be easy enough?

06-13-2005, 09:55 AM	#20
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Soon to be Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,480 User Feedback: (1)	well yeah, if they went a little bigger... I mean, nanos are a lot of work... I have a 20 gallon "nano" and I gotta add water constantly cuz of evaporation. Plus I ALWAYS make sure to test every 3-5 days to make sure those nitrates don't go up or that I don't have water chemistry issues because it happens quite a bit. __________________ 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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