Around Christmas or next year I am planning on getting a saltwater aquarium. I have had freshwater aquariums for a few years. I think I'm ready to move on to bigger and better tanks.
Do you have any suggestions as far as what kind of fish I could put in a 30 gallon aquarium? What kind of coral or algea-eating fish could I have? I'd like some Clowns, Crabs, Shrimp, Lobster, Clams, Coral, Eels (maybe), and lots more!! I know of an octopous that can get to only 3" that I found for sale online! I think I could get a few.
Don't judge by the size on the aquarium please, as I might get a 130 gallon aquarium. I'm very excited so please don't rude my joy. :)
2006-08-09 07:47:26 · 7 answers · asked by rustys_rider 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Good for you. There is nothing better then relaxing at night and watching my salt water tank. The fish have a lot more personality, and are more fun to watch.
But..
Sounds like you have a lot of research to do. Octopus and lobsters would really be neat, but they are nocturnal and will dine on your tank while you sleep (the octopus is also an escape artist). Crabs and shrimps come in a lot of different varieties (non-reef safe and reef safe) so you'll have to choose them according to whether you want a fish-only or reef tank. Eels cannot be housed with anything smaller then it's mouth and are also escape artists.
Reef tanks require a lot of time making sure the right nutrients are in the water, as well as refugiums, skimmers, sumps and metal halide lighting. All marine tanks require a lot of water flow to keep them healthy and the bigger they are, the easier it is to maintain them (although a lot more work when doing water changes).
Take a lot at established tanks at as many marine stores as you can get to and pick your favorite tanks. Then find out what is involved in the care/maintenance/set up of each on.
2006-08-10 03:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For your first investment I would suggest getting the book "the Conscientious Marine Aquarist" It goes in to the different marine systems and then has listings of fish and inverts and their requirements. WetWeb Media is also a good place to learn. Doing the planning ahead of time like you are is good - gives you a lot of time to decide on what you want.
Also visit your local fish stores. They might know of local reef clubs. Besides first hand knowledge a lot of times you can find equipment and supplies people will sell - or even give away - and save you a bunch of money. And when you do get to the coral stage a great place for frags.
I have a 20 gallon and a 35 gallon salt tank - have just a damsel and a blenny in the one and three cardinals and a clown in the other. Plus some soft corals, zooanthids and LPS. Am setting up a 150 gallon that will be mainly a LPS and clam tank for corals and will have the eel and a couple lions - but with those type fish you don't have a lot else.
2006-08-09 18:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's good you have experience with freshwater but saltwater is a whole new world. It will be way more expensive and you'll fuss over it a lot more. You generally have to add water daily and scrape the sides more often. You also can't use any of the chemicals to even things out that you use in freshwater. However that said they are so much cooler and interesting to look at. Watch the fish you put in if you have corals some of them will destroy the coral. Also clams need really bright lighting that other fish don't like. Best advice is to get some books before you start and do a little research. Clowns are the cockroaches of the sea world they are easy to take care of and hard to kill.
2006-08-09 15:49:19 · answer #3 · answered by stargirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 130gal tank and I have to say that the larger the tank the better and easier it is to maintain. You might want to actually log in to a salt water forum I think www.reeflounge.com is a great on to use. As far as corals go you are going to need specific lights in order to keep them alive I have 3 25,000k 150watt metal halides with 2 4 foot attinic lights which keep my corals very happy. The only problem with getting an octopus is that they will eat your crabs and other shell fish not to mention if they ink you are going to have to do a major water change. I would look into and do a back ground cehck on anything you want to put into your tank to make sure they are going to get along. Have agreat day
2006-08-09 19:59:41 · answer #4 · answered by BIg Fish 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On a 30 gallon tank, the eels will get too large, and they are predatory towards most kinds of shrimp and crabs, and most moray eels will prey on smaller fish, even the snowflake eel, which is the least aggressive (it generally won't bother larger fish). Try reading all you can, as corals are pretty difficult, especially for a beginner to saltwater.
2006-08-09 17:10:42 · answer #5 · answered by rubentolon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get allot of your questions answered at reefcentral.com. I have a 150gal and a 46gal saltwater tank and let me tell you it is not easy nor is it cheap to do. I would suggest reading as much as you can before you start.
2006-08-09 15:36:25 · answer #6 · answered by Jay C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
please visit this site and you can see all of the fish and what fish go to which water.
www.liveaquarium.com or www.fostersmith.com
hope this help
2006-08-09 14:57:23 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋