10 gallon nano for christmas..

[oscarowner559]

Should I get a 10 (maybe a 12) gallon nano for christmas? I saw one at my lfs, I dont know if it is a 10, or 12. It is cool looking, and I may fet a hermit crab, a couple clownfish and an anemone, and some more coral. It is square shaped, so it is really cool.What fish could I ge? How big do yellow tangs get? I want one, but think they may get too big.. I dont know the first thing about saltwater nano. Or any saltwater at that..What equipment will I need? salt, filter, air pump?, coral, (how do you get the coral to stick to the glass, or wherever you put it)?, heater, any "only saltwater" equipment I dont know about? If so, how much do they run, and what do they do?Also, are the water changes the same? How do you put cycled saltwater back in an establsihed tank?Thanks, just remember I need to know EVERYTHING because I dont know ANYTHING!

 

[oscarowner559]

hello, I cant wait till christmas...lol

 

[S.Reef]

I would stay away from the anemone. They require perfect water conditions and a fairy large tank. The aquarist should also know a lot about them. You said you wanted a couple clownfish so thats what I would stick with. You might be able to squeeze a small goby in there as well. Yellow Tangs get real big and need a minimum of 55 gallons.

You say you don't know a lot about saltwater. Personally I would research a whole lot more and start with a bigger tank. Yes, the nanos are cool, but are usually not recommended for beginners. There are a ton of threads and other info on this website and others. You will find recommendations for filters and heaters on these.

Best of luck

 

[oscarowner559]

yeah, but I cant afford and dont have room for a bigger tank..I need to get a nano, or nothin'.I did research, but I cant find what I need to know on a google search, or any website that i came across. I need to mostly know what equipment I will need.. :;

 

[1979camaro]

Do yourself a favor (or whoever may be funding this experience) and get a book...it will save you money and frustration, not to mention the lives of critters. Setting up a SW tank is nowhere near as plug and play as FW and infinitely more expensive

The Palleta book "New Marine Aquarium" is very good and Fenner's "Conscientious Marine Aquarist" also has a lot of really important information. Another thing to consider might be a pocket guide type book, I like Michael's "Marine Fish: 500+ Essential to Know Aquarium Species"...coems in handy when you are planning stocking...though in a tiny tank its prbably not necessary

 

[1979camaro]

those books will have the info you desire and it is posted on both this forum and the general SW forum many times. might read Wayne's stickied thread in general as well as the "What do i need for a SW tank" sticky by phantomfe3

 

[oscarowner559]

yeah, but I dont want to go and buy a book..maybe you all dont want to type everything I want to know, but if you all could just type a little bit each, that would be fine.

 

[1979camaro]

you will both need and want the books, it is a worthwhile investment. If you plan to spend $400+ on a tank, $20 worth of books is a drop in the proverbial bucket

like we have said, the info has already been posted...do a little "legwork"

 

[1979camaro]

I am going to make this as easy as I possibly can for you and me (so I don't have to type a book)

here is a link to phantomfe3's writeup, it should get you started:

http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19498

you, however, will have to research each piece of equipment you buy to ensure that it will do what you want

 

[oscarowner559]

I read that and I thank him for putting such useful information on this website..I just saw it for the first time when you requested it..It answered all of my questions and I plan to be getting one of these for christmas.thanx..How much do hydrometers and protien skimmers cost? approximately.

 

[1979camaro]

hydrometer is usually around $10...if you want a refractometer more like $50+

depending on the protein skimmer you can spend between $30 (crappy) and $100 (good) for your size tank...

 

[S.Reef]

Thank you Camaro.

 

[1979camaro]

you're welcome sam...though I'm not sure what for...lol

Kevin

 

[S.Reef]

I was thanking you for giving advice...I didnt really feel like typing all that.

 

[1979camaro]

me neither....but she seemed intent on not finding the info herself so i figured better i waste an hour of my time than a bunch of animals die

 

[Flex26]

Well, I've bought and read SW Aquariums for Dummies. And I'm looking to get Paletta's book for Christmas. But I've decided that I don't want to pay all the money for a SW aquarium. So, can you guys just give me money to help fund my project? I know some people are little short this time of year. So, a little bit from each of you is all I need. Thanks in advance!

 

[1979camaro]

not a problem...where should i mail the check

 

[Lotus]

Make sure you....


ok, next person continue for oscar owner

The Paletta book is really nice as a "manual" style book, and lots of practical advice and tips. It basically leads you through the entire process from choosing equipment to aquascaping to choosing fish.

Flex, maybe I can send you a piece of live rock or a cup of salt.

 

[1979camaro]

get one of those "cool" backgrounds with the corals and prop it up on the tank stand, you dont need a tank at all and think of how much you will save on equipment

 

[S.Reef]

Yeah..good point.