help starting up newbie please

[_Petra_]

i would really like to start a 3-5 gallon nano marine (obviously) tank and didnt really know how to start. i am fairly new to the saltwater community so i have a couple of questions:
-how do i start it up? like what materials do i need or do you know of a good pre set up one that i can buy on amazon.
-how much live rock do i need and what corals/ anemonies could i add that wouldnt get too big? i also would like to put 1-2 ocellaris clowns in the tank.
-how long should i wait to put the fish in/ what should my water parameters be to safely put fish in. (i have had freshwater tanks and dealt with cycling but i dont know much about saltwater)
-what things should i test for regularly water parameter wise
-what trusted brands should i use for salt, calcium, fish food, or anyhing else i need.

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome 2 r2r you've come to the right place, I started out with a jbj 3 gallon pico tank, as I was scared about sw tanks, have always been freshwater. For me it's become addicting as I just love it. So if you can start out bigger go for it , I'm now going to a 30 gallon which is still small compared to most here .

 

[_Petra_]

did your nano turn out okay and do you still have it? thanks

 

[Chrisfish]

did your nano turn out okay and do you still have it? thanks

Yes I do, and I'm moving to a 30 gallon, which is still a nano. There is lots to learn, and this is the best place to ask questions. Can't wait to see what you decide to do.

 

[Brandon Donaldson]

I have the 29gallon bio cube I bought it of Amazon I have upgraded it a lot but because I wanted to it ran fine befor I had a duncan and a lether coral thay did fine with the stock lights I whated about 2 mounths befor adding fish I used 20lb of live sand and 15lb of live rock I run chimi pure and purigen as well as 2 e shops sump sponges if you can go a bigger than 5 I would my biocube sits on a small night Stanford by my bed thay all so make a 14 gallon

 

[KSReefing]

I would definitely try and stay away from a 3-5 gallon tank for your first saltwater experience. A tank that small can't have any clowns or anemones.

Look at a 29 bio cube or one of the Innovative marine tanks (25,30) the more water the easier it can be to mess up.

 

[Tori]

Welocme! You're off to a great start by asking questions first ;). I started off with a 20g nano with the understanding that nanos have a higher difficulty level in general. The smaller they are the fast things can spiral out of control and the margin for error will be smaller as well. I'm still new to the hobby but enjoy learning and the challenge. Here is a great read to get you started. http://www.reefedition.com/291/

 

[KorD]

Welcome to the site and to the saltwater life.
To in all honestly answer your questions... I will be truthfully honest and do not want to scare you away from this hobby.
1) it is easier to start this hobby with a larger tank.. minor corrections are needed for the smaller tanks, and larger tanks will be more forgiving in the long run. Water evaporation and chemical swings are a big factor for smaller tank, and a smaller tank will crash before you can control what is going on.
2) Small tanks can only house a few things like shrimp, a fish that barley needs room, and corals will outgrow the tank before you know it.
3) constant water changes (about one a week at 10/20%) need done
4) a tank should be going for atlas no shorter then 4-5 months before an anemone can be added for the health of the nem. You need to be sure the water and tank have a stable condition before adding a critter that is that sensitive.

Now the fun part... I had this tank up and running for over 2 years. I did have a clownfish in that tank, but when it grew to about 1.5 inches, I removed it and put it in my larger tank. This tank housed 4 sexy (Thor) shrimp, a clown and a few hermits. I ran the tank on a canister filter, and cleaned the filter every 5 days, added about a cup of RODI water daily, and changed the water 10% when I cleaned the filter.
This was one demanding tank. I believe I had only 5lbs of live rock in it.

I love nano, and this hobby.. I just do not want to see someone getting into the hobby have a bad experience and not want to continue.
This was not to lead you away from the hobby, but it enjoy it.