Nano Aquarium Question?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a 20 gallon salt water Nano tank. How much live sand, and live rock will I need. Also what kind of equipment will I need to keep this tank up and running.

I know all about cycling the tank before fish and all that good stuff.

Also, I don't want to over stock, so what kind of marine life should I have? Hermit crabs, star fish, golby's, clowns??

Answer 1

Are you keeping fish only or corals or both???
A good rule if keeping corals or both would be 2 - 4 inches of live sand and at least 1lbs live rock per gal.
Do some research on the fish that you want because some eat corals or hermits or snails...
1 Gobie and 2 clowns are good with all inverts and you would be fine in a 20gal.
About 20 small hermits and 20 assorted snails would be an excelent start for a cleaner crew.
This starfish would be good, I know it says up to 5" but mine has been in my reef tank for over a year and is only a little bigger than a silver dollar.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=578
With the live rock and live sand you will need a couple of powerheads to create a good strong current, good lights for the coral and a small HOB protien skimmer.
A test kit for amonia, nitrite and nitrate to start.
A Hydrometer to test the salinaty.
In a small tank you should keep the water topped up all of the time because a small amount of evaporation = a large salinaty change.
Good luck and welcome to saltwater.

Answer 2

Small saltwater tanks are difficult,and not proportionally less costly than,oh say a 75 gallon,the equipment required to operate any Marine aquarium is just as costly as you can afford. You can "get by" fairly cheaply if you are willing to do a lot of work and water changes. The less the "sweat equity" you are willing to provide,the higher the cost of the equipment.

Answer 3

about a pound of live rock and live sand per gallon.
for fish you could do any fish from this area of this site
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=2124