What is the minimum size tank for Saltwater?

Answer 1

there really isnt any. i have a 100, 24 and 11 gallon they get up to 3 gallons but you can get like 2-3 smal fish in that size tank. i dont think its worth it
good luck

Answer 2

I tend to agree with the first answerer - there are no rules that say a tank has to be a particular size. I've had saltwater tanks from 75 gallon through 2.5 gallons. That doesn't mean they all are appropriate for everyone to keep, however.

Some things you should consider if you're planning to start a saltwater tank -

The larger the tank, the more stable the water temperature and water chemistry are going to be. A lot of the saltwater fish are pretty hardy, but some do not appreciate the temperature, pH, salinity, or other water parameters changing all the time.

The larger the tank, the more you can put in it. Saltwater isn't like freshwater - the fish are more territorial and aggressive. Although there are some species that will be fine in schools, most will be limited to a mated pair or a single specimen in your tank. Because of the aggression level, you can keep far fewer fish in the same amount of space. You'll also need to be careful not to mix fish of the same family, same coloration, and same body type - these will be seen by existing fish as "rivals" and either attacked outright, or harrassed to the point where they will no longer feed and die of starvation.

The larger the tank, the easier the maintenance (in general).

On the down side, the larger the tank, the greater the expense of the initial setup, the price of stocking the tank (cause you'll want to buy more to put in it), and the more salt (and other supplements that may be necessary) you'll need for water changes. They also take up more room.

My starter was a 29 gallon. I made an agreement with myself that if I took care of it and all the fish and inverts lived 6 months, I could upgrade then if still interested. At 6 months. everybody got moved to a 55, and I started the 29 over as a second saltwater (this stuff is contagious!). I've gone up and down in size and had multiple tanks running at most times. I've got three salt right now. I probably would have had more, except for a couple of times that I moved.

So I'd say to base your tank size on what kinds of fish you'd like to keep (research their adult sizes, compatibility, and activity so you'll have a good idea of space they'll need) and buy the largest you can easily afford for the space you have available for the tank and equipment.

Here are some links of additional info to get you started:
http://www.apapets.com/MarineEcosystem/whatto.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16
http://www.tropicalfishoutlet.com/
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/

Answer 3

I don't think there is one right answer to your question considering almost every "expert" aquarist I have met tend to disagree with each other. One reason for this could be that their experiences with saltwater tanks could be very different than other aquarists. Most people would advise against using anything less than a 50 gallon aquarium for a saltwater tank. The reason is that the conditions in a smaller tank can change very rapidly compared to a larger tank. Saltwater tanks are a lot harder to maintain than freshwater tanks due to very specific conditions that must be kept perfect if you want your fish to live a long life. Sure, you have to make sure that there are no nitrites or amonia in a saltwater tank just like a freshwater tank, but a saltwater tank is much less forgiving than a freshwater tank. In other words, most freshwater fish can live a long time in a freshwater tank with less than perfect conditions. If you do make a serious mistake or simply neglect the basic needs of the fish and happen to lose a few freshwater fish prematurely, it will generally not hurt your wallet compared to losing most saltwater fish, which are much more expensive, sometimes up to thousands of dollars for one fish. These are a few reasons why a novice should not set up a saltwater tank that is less than 50 gallons in size. I say a novice should not attempt this because I personally have a saltwater tank in a 29 gallon aquarium that has been set up for about two months, gradually, and has had no serious problems or deaths. I also thoroughly researched the right way to do this and asked a lot of questions before beginning. I am already maxed out of this tank with 5 fish(2 clowns, 2 hawkfish with a very strange relationship, and a damsel) so if you insist on trying a small tank you must have serious patience and self control. It is much easier to overcrowd a saltwater tank than a freshwater one. Good luck and remember to be patient when adding fish as it is a slow process.

Answer 4

A larger tank will be easier to control and gives a bit more leeway for mistakes (which are inevitable). The smallest tank for beginners should be no less than 20 gallons, with 55 gallons being even better. For someone versed in fish keeping (i.e., converting from fresh to saltwater), a 10 or 15 gallon tank will work, but is not suggested. In general, fish like long, wide tanks. The more surface area a tank has, the better the gas exchange will be and the happier the fish will be.

Before finalizing on a tank size, remember that fish densities are much lower for saltwater than freshwater. That is, you can not put as many fish in a saltwater tank as you can in a freshwater tank. Putting more than 2 saltwater fish in 10 gallon tank is asking for trouble. A general rule of thumb is 4" (10cm) of small-to-medium fish per 10 gallons, or 2" (5cm) of larger/fast growing fish per 10 gallons. This is just a rough estimate of the number of fish. There is no exact number since finding the stocking density has to take into account the filtration, maintenance, feeding schedule, etc..

Beyond the number of fish you wish to keep, the tank's size will also affect your filtration and lighting choices, both in cost and design. Tanks which are 48 inches (122cm) long are usually cheaper to light because the lamps are more readily available. However, the larger the tank, the more light you will need to provide your inhabitants. Moreover, a larger tank needs efficient filtration to keep the system thriving. A good size tank is around 55 gallons.

Answer 5

You can go as small as you want... It all depends on how many fish you want in the tank, and how much coral. The smallest I've seen is 3 gallons. BUT... To take care of a 3 gallon saltwater tank is JUST AS HARD AS taking care of a 50 gallon freshwater tank. Do some studying before you set up your tank. Also, the smaller you go, the smaller your fish need to be. I'd start with a fresh water tank first.

Answer 6

There is no such thing as a minimum tank size for saltwater. I've done them as small as four gallons succesfully. BUT, the biggest tank you have room for and can afford is your best bet. The larger the tank the EASIER it is to keep things alive in it.
A lot of times, beginners start out with a 55 gallon tank. A standard 55 gallon tank is 4 feet long and 13 inches deep. It is one the most popular sizes and it is small enough to do water changes easily, but large enough to house most fish comfortably.

Answer 7

diverse species of clowns/tangs should not be housed at the same time because of the fact of potential conflict (till you get an exceptionally super tank) In theory any tank could have a sump. i think of that a fifty 5 gallon sounds effective for 6 fish, with a sump as super as feasible(you may by no potential have too plenty filtration)

Answer 8

30 gallons really is the smallest you should go. Too small of a tank and you are limited on what you can keep. no limit on large tanks. Also, small tanks like 5, 10 and 15 are very difficult to regulate. There are not too many fish that can survive in these tanks as well it is difficult to purchase correct lighting if you are going into corals or inverts.

Answer 9

Any size tank can be salt water, but they usually recommend at least a 30 gallon because it is easier to keep the chemical levels right in a bigger tank.

Answer 10

You can buy a 5 gallon salt water aquarium for 50 dollars but its really a waste of money because you cant keep any good fish in there and its hard to keep clean