Saltwater tank ?

Question

in a year or so I want to start a saltwater tank but I want to plan ahead of time before even getting the tank so here are the fish I want to keep

1. a pearly jawfish

2. a Bangaii Cardinal

3. a percula clownfish

4. 6 blue leg hermit crabs

I was thinking of getting a 20 gallon tank

And I am getting 20lbs of Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand and 8lbs of live rock for Maintenance I am gonna use Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel® Aquarium Power Filter and Top Fin® Powerhead and for decor I'm gonna get Top Fin® Medium Rocky Cave, Top Fin® Rock Cave with Plants, Top Fin® Stone Cave with Snail Aquarium Decoration and 4 Top Fin® Plastic Plant Variety Pack for salt I'm going to get Oceanic™ Natural Sea Salt Mix and a Red Sea Hydrometer w/ Digital Thermometer. Is everyhing ok? Am I missing anything?Will the fish be fine with everything?And all this stuff add up to $334.61(including tank) my tank is about $80 since my dad's friend has his own fish store who also sells tanks for a low price(I got a 29 gallon tank for my livebearers between $80-$90. Also I have done research on all the fishes I want to add.

Answer 1

If it's your first saltwater tank, I'd recommend bumping up the tank size a bit to provide more stability, but it looks like you've done your homework.

I don't think you'll need 6 hemits for a tank that size...there just won't be enough detritus and algae for all of them. I'd recommend taking a few out and replacing them with other animals that fulfill a similar function. Astrea snails would fit the bill perfectly, as they eat hair algae and diatoms, both of which the crabs eat in smaller quantities. Although some reef keepers stock as many as a snail per gallons, I've found that 6 keep my 75 gallon completely clear. 2 astrea snails would be sufficient for a small tank. A cerith snail could also work, as they'll be more interested in staying in the substrate.

You won't really need live sand for the tank, just get a fine aragonite-based sand. You'll need it to be at least 4 inches deep for the jawfish.  The jawfish would prefer a mixture of fine sand and a tiny bit of rubble, but you should be fine with what you have. I would definitely put in more live rock...at least 20 pounds. More rock = more awesome filtration = better.

Oceanic's salt is fine. It has enough trace elements to support the crabs when they molt, so you won't need to supplement. Remember to grab a few extra shells for the hermits as part of the decor; they need larger shells as they grow.

Finally, I'd get a quarantine tank set up to protect your investment.

Otherwise, good job on the research. :)

Answer 2

With that selection of fish, go for a larger tank, at least 35-55 gallons, it will be easier to maintain as this is your first salty tank, the larger the better, and if you want more of a fish selection in the future you'll have more flexibility.

I am in no financial state to plan my own salty tank so I suggest chatting with experienced types on forums, this forum has a good marine section for instance:

Http://www.fishforums.net

Answer 3

seriously you should get at-least a 75 gal tank cus your a noob.

you really dont know enough for saltwater.

I know what kind of person you are.....

The kind that doesn't do enough research...

dont tell me that "Ohh but ive been doing research for ever! and ive had a freshwater tank for years"

You say youve been doing research on the fish you want. WELL I SAY YOU DIDNT DO ENOUGH BECAUSE :

1:you say you want a jawfish... Do you realize they need at-least 5 inches of substrate? With only 20 lbs you will not be-able to provide that...

2:Bangaii cardinals are shoaling species do you realize you should have at-least 3 of them so they feel safe?

  IF you had done enough research you would no that no person new to saltwater should get anything smaller than a 55 gal

P.S. 3 fish is a pretty HEAVY load for a 20 gal... My tanks 90 gallons and i only have 4 fish....

Im glad your planning a year ahead because you are nowhere near able to kept saltwater fish.

Im sorry that i was pretty harsh in this post but please believe me.

Answer 4

You didn't say whether or not this is your first tank or not. If it is. I recommend setting up and maintaining a freshwater tropical tank first to get some practice with the chemistry and maintenance involved in keeping a tank. Once you get comfortable with the freshwater tank maintenance, then look into setting up your salt water. The fish you picked are very nice, but if you are inexperienced with aquarium maintenance you might find yourself getting over your head in maintenance.

Answer 5

I heard that salt water tanks are A LOT of work.