Minimum tank size for starting a sea aquarium and start up fishes are?

Answer 1

There really is no "minimum size" for a saltwater tank. 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.

The larger the tank you have, 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. This is usually why you hear larger tanks being recommended for people like yourself, who are just starting out.

The larger the tank, the more you can put in it. Saltwater isn't like freshwater - the fish are more territorial and aggressive in their personalities. 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.

Starter fish I'd recommend would depend a little on your tank size. You'll also have to take into consideration things like the adult size, activity level (some sit in a cave in the rocks all day, others need a lot of swimming space), compatability (will they get along, eat each other, fight, etc.), feeding (if you want corals, snails, crabs, or shrimp are your fish going to eat them?), and so on.

For a beginning level, I would suggest cardinalfish, chromis, clownfish, longnose hawkfish, clown or citron goby, canary blenny, or firefish. These are small, relatively peaceful, and hardy. Some, I'm sure, will recommend damsels, but most damsels are very territorial and will harrass and kill any fish you try to put in after them. They're cheap and hardy, but I would avoid the group other than chromis and clownfish.

I would recommend for you to visit a few fish stores or websites to see what fish you might like, then getting a book or GOOD website (there are a few bad ones out there) and going through some species information to learn about 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, taking into consideration the space you have available for the tank and equipment.

For books, I highly recommend either The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta. Microcosm Ltd. ISBN 1-890087-52-1 or The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner. Microcosm Ltd. ISBN 1-890087-02-5

As a website, I recommend http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ - there are numerous articles written by saltwater professionals as well as a moderated forum where you can ask questions. I'll put some other resources for you below, including a rough compatibility chart - use this more as a way to see what CAN'T go together than what can.

So I'd say to base your tank size on what kinds of fish you'd like to keep

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.fishlore.com/SaltwaterBeginners.htm

Answer 2

Copperhead has given you some very good advice. I would however recommend that if you have the money for it just go ahead and get a larger tank. 55-75 would be great. Almost everyone who starts one quickly outgrows their tank and wants a bigger one.

I would also recommend to start with fish only with some live rock. The set up cost is far cheaper than that of a tank for corals. You won't need to expensive lights or as extravegant of a filter system. A simple hang on back biowheel type with some crabs and snails, live rock, basic lights, test kit, and a power head will be all you need.

You don't need all live rock. Live rock can be expensive. Use some cheap "dead" rock from a fish store and add in a few pieces of live rock to seed it all. Yeah it will take about 6 months for it to look as nice as the live rock will in 2 but it's a much cheaper alternative. Don't waste your money on live sand a few pieces of live rock can seed an entire tank. Cured or uncured won't matter for you. It will cure during the cycling process. You will get die off from either one you just get more from uncured. The uncured will smell a little more during the cycle but it will give you a better cycle as well. After the cycle you will only be able to add in cured live rock.

Check out those websites Copperhead mentioned and also there are some great articles at www.reefcentral.com as well. Their more geared towards reef tanks but will still help you.

Answer 3

generally and even more in saltwater, the smaller the aquarium the harder it is, as the water parameters will change daily in a small tank. 20 is in the intermediate level but can be done. Your going to want to get live sand and live rock around 1 pound per gallon, set up the HOB filter, heater, and then mix the saltwater. any mix plus water and use the hydrometer to measure the salinity, should be around 1.020-1.025 specific gravity or 33PPT Allow everything to run for 2-4 weeks until the tank is fully cycled and then you can add fish. Dont do corals until you upgrade the ligthing system and know alot about water chemistry and parameters like calcium etc.. For fish a pair of ocellaris clownfish will be fine, tangs will outgrow the 20 and need at least 75 gallons for most. Dwarf lionfish are not beginner fish, they can be touch to feed as well and they need at least 55 gallons.

Answer 4

29-30 gal is a great saltwater start up size. Its large enough to keep the chemical balance and temp regulated but small enough it doesnt cost an arm and a leg.

Once you have the tank its going to be at least a month before you can get any fish. You need to start by getting a sand substrate (I suggest getting a live sand base meaning it already has a lot of good bacteria to jumpstart your tank cycling.) You want 1+ lb of sand per gal of water.

Then you have to start building your live rock structures. This helps filter your water and many fish eat the algae and microscopic invertebrets that live in the rock. You need at least 1 lb cured live rock per gal. Treat this like gold. It will be expensive but it is nessessary for a starting salt aquarium. Get cured rack as well. You dont want to deal with uncured if you can help it.

When you have this done you have to start building up your calcium, magnesium, and iodine levels. Your local LFS owner or manager should be able to direct you on how much to use when depending on the size tank you end up with.

After a week or so of adding live rock and checking your water for proper salinity and chemical composition, you can add soft corals if you have the lighting. This is also the time you would add hermit crabs and a shrimp or two. Talk with your local expert about what you want to do and they will be able to direct you in the details.

Once your tank is cycled and has stableized, you will be able to add a fish. Again talk to your local expert about what is a good hardy starter fish for what you want.

Be warned though, between the tank, set up, and stocking of your tank a 30 gal can run you over $500 to start up.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

I reccomend you buy one of the books in the pet store there is a lot of information that you need but to start you out

so not to waste money i reccomend NOTHING smaller than 52gal
then you need coral any kind getting it uncured or cured depends on you and how much waiting you wanna do and chemicals you wanna buy
next starting out fish the cheapest ones you can find
It is proven you will kill the first few fish you have so dont stock the tank only put in a few

Good Luck took me about 6 months to get mine how I like it

Answer 6

I'm Guessing you mean saltwater???
I would go with No Less than 30gal, the more water you have the easier it is to maintain a stable enviroment.
Clown fish are a good beginner fish and come in many different colours and sizes.
"PRINCESS"
YOU don't NEED coral
Cured Live rock is a good thing to have.
I have NEVER killed a saltwater fish.
Try NOT to use ANY CHEMICALS

Answer 7

The general rule is one gallon of water per inch of fish. Therefore, if you have a two inch fish, a two gallon tank would be suitable.

However, perhaps you should think if you would enjoy living in a tank for your entire life? Seeing the same thing everyday? Do you really want to give money to pet stores for the continued abuse of animals?