First Saltwater tank, help please

[NFish]

Hi, this is my first post. I want to setup a small (nano) saltwater tank. I'm thinking 10 gallons. I don't want any bigger because of the money. I know smaller tanks have their disadvantages, but I really can't do any bigger. I might be able to go to 20, but I doubt it. I've been in the freshwater aquarium hobby for a few years, so fish keeping isn't new to me, but saltwater fish are. I have done a little bit of research on salt tanks, but I'm far from ready to go out and buy a tank. I think I want a tank with live rock and fish, no corals. Anyway, here are my questions:

1. As a beginner, is there any good saltwater website(s) that I should read?
2. How do you keep your pH up to 8.1-8.3? My tap water comes out at 7.5
3. What kind of sand/substrate should I use?
4. How many pounds of live rock should I use for a 10 gallon tank?
5. Is there any kind of special lighting I need? I plan to make a DIY hood with 2 fluorescent lights, is this ok?
6. Are the "Skilter" filters any good?
7. Do I need a protein skimmer?
8. About how many fish (2-4") will work in a 10 gallon? in a 20 gallon?
9. Fish I like (I won't keep all of these obviously) are: Clown Fish, Green Chromis, Damsels, Mandarin Fish, Firefish, Flame Angel, some small tangs(I doubt tangs will work?). Which ones will NOT work because of size, aggression, or that I would need a reef tank?
10. Are there any inverts (shrimp, snails, crabs, etc.) that could possibly work?

Thanks a lot,

NFish

[Dazeychic]

Hi Nfish! Congrats on making the decision to dive into a saltwater tank! Im a beginner also (well, we've had ours for two years...but Im still learning!)!
First of all,
Saltwater is v. easy! I mean if I can do it without even having a freshwater...certainly you can too!
Number one do not use tap water, get reverse osmosis water. You can buy it at fish stores OR at the grocery store. (Buy your own 5 gallon water container as if you were just taking it home to drink it!) We keep two five gallon containers full of reverse osmosis water...for cleaning the tank and adding water when tank needs it! Simply buy salt at the fish store and add it to your five gallon water containers. (Correct measurements are right on the salt box!)


Im not sure of the correct lighting for your smaller tank. But ask professionals..they will give you the right equipment!

I dont know the offical right way to start your tank off...but here is what we did:
We set up filters, lighting and heater. Added saltwater and waited two weeks. (We were told this is very important to the process)
We then purchased a "Molly" fish (looks like a wierd goldfish) and added him in the tank. Molly fish can live in saltwater and freshwater....therefore he makes a great starter fish! (your Molly will prepare your tank by forming bacteria!) If your Molly lives for another two weeks...Your ready for clowns and the other saltwater fish you want!
Keeping the temp right and maintaining your PH levels is the most important. There are PH measures in stores that tell you how much salt and such is in your tank. Just add salt or reverse osmosis water as needed!

We have a 30 gallon tank and we do not have a protein skimmer.


There are tons of fish that will work in a smaller tank! My advice is go out to the stores or online and look to your hearts content. I prefer my Percula Clowns...so dont ask me what to get! lol. Just make sure the fish you choose are small, you should be able to keep three smaller fish...but thats just my guess!

Good Luck! Lemme know if I can help ya in any way! Again though, this is based on my experience only...and it works for us!
Hope I helped a little bit!
~Dazey :lol:

[dilutedwater467]

you probably should get some live sand, it should be about 3-4 inches deep. as for live rock there really is no deignated amount, just buy a rock or two and see if it you like it. in my tank i added a hermit crab about five days after i started the whole thing up and it only died a few months ago in a different tank. about two weeks into it i put in 4 damsels to get the nitrate cycle started and when the levels came to zero i added a other fish. tangs will definately not work in a ten or twenty gallon tank. tour best bet would be to go with a clown or two if that is all that is in there. finally, for the inverts five or so small hermit crabs would be good. i dont really know about the shrimp though. keep us updated! [/quote]

[aconfino]

I know there are some that may disagree with me, but if your money is tight, this is how I would spend it:

* live rock and live sand is great, but expensive and can be added later ~ I would use the money you save from those purchases to buying a larger tank like a 29g - all your levels will be much more stable

* E-bay can be a great place to buy filters ~ I buy all my stuff there for about 1/2 the price ~ just be careful. I think a good protein skimmer would be the right place to start.

* good lighting is important if you want anything other than fish, but can also be purchased down the road

* there is a type of carribean play sand sold a home depot that is the same stuff that is sold in your LFS, but instead of $15 for 20lbs it is around $8.00 for 50lbs. It's the exact same stuff. I forget the exact name, but plenty of people on this website know it so ask around or look at old posts.

* if you decide to take my advice, just be aware that you will have to be more patient with the tank and add fish very slowly. Without live rock or sand the bateria in your tank will take longer to grow and you won't be able to have quite as many fish. The advantage is that you can have a bigger tank and add these expensive items slowly down the road