if i choose to start a saltwater tank instead of freshwater ? whats the best to start out with?

Question

the best fish? or sea horses a good option?

Answer 1

if you haven't had a tank before go with freshwater, for sure. Get comfortable with all the supplies and maintenance involved in a freshwater tank. When you feel you want to progress to a saltwater tank (you may already be there) you will already have many of the supplies and equipment that are needed to transition easily. I promise you that saltwater is more expensive and will consume 10 times more if your time than a freshwater tank! Maintenance on my saltwater tank is a daily thing! If you do decide to go with saltwater, sea horses are not for beginners. I have 3 and they are so finicky that i nearly have to hand feed them-3 times a day! Damsels are the best for beginners. Yellow tangs also do well. Good Luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

If you choose to have a marine tank rather than a freshwater tropical tank you do not want to have anything less than a 55 gal tank. Use dolimite or sand, make sure your specific gravity is exact before introducing any fish into your tank. You will want to start with damsels because you need to have good bacteria in your tank before introducing any fish or live rock. If you want a good harty fish I would suggest clowns and tangs. Remember it is going to be 2 inch of fish per gal. of water. Once you add your live rock and base you will be taking away from the amount of fish you can have. If you choose to use an undergravel filter, use dolomite and it needs to be at least 3-4 inches thick. If you choose sand use a power filter. Sea horses are not very harty especially for a new tank. When you start your tank you will notice it will be cloudy and that is normal that is the good bacteria blossoming. You should go to a pet store not a chain such as petsmart but a mom and pop type pet store they know a lot more or talk to someone who sets up marine tanks and get to know what type of fish is what and how harty they are.

Answer 3

I've heard that sea horses are delicate. You should let you tank mature a bit before adding them.

Also a fancy shrimp is good to add after a few weeks of having other fish. It will keep the tank clean for you. But be careful not to provide ways for it to crawl out. They are no danger, but will dry out and die as they become easily lost outside the tank.

Answer 4

Go with a fresh water for your first tank. Salt water tanks are notoriously difficult, and the fish are a lot more expensive. Better to see how the fresh water tank and fresh water fish do before investing more in a salt water tank.

Answer 5

If you have never had a salt water tank, i wouldn't go with sea horses...they are neet looking but hard work..if you decide to start a salt water tank, start with a tank that is bigger than 20 gallons..it helps keep the balances...the best thing to do is read read read..and learn all you can..it is an expensive lessen to learn if you dont know what you are doing.

Answer 6

For salt water? A good starter fish is a Damsel. These fish are very hardy, being able to withstand worse water conditions than most other marine fish, they are not picky eaters, and they are fairly inexpensive. Mollies are good as well. Clownfish, Blennies and Gobies are options. As well as Surgeonfish, Triggerfish and Lionfish are all options. You could even throw a crab in the mix!

Answer 7

Personally if it were me - I'd do some research first before I would endeavor to begin a Marine setup.

Here are some sites that I would join and post questions in on the forums of for more information. These sites have really experienced Marine and Freshwater Aquarists/Hobbyists.

Aquaria Central
http://www.aquariacentral.com

AquariumBoard
http://www.aquariumboard.com

Reef Central
http://www.reefcentral.com

Good luck!

Answer 8

First you need at least a 55 gallon tank or bigger. Saltwater tanks are expensive to set up. You need to get a professional to set it up for you. Most Stores that specialize in saltwater tanks will help you or come and set yours up for very little if you buy your fish from them.

Answer 9

Well you need to let the water go through all the cycle for atleast one month preferably 6 weeks before you put any fish in.

Answer 10

sea horses