Twisted my Arm...

[SaltwaterSmitty]

Hello, my name is SaltwaterSmitty

I have start off saying I have never owned a saltwater aquarium before. I currently have two planted freshwater aquariums right now, so I am not completely new to to hobby. I have a friend who has been trying to push me over to edge into the saltwater side of things. I have been using the excuse for the longest time that I am waiting because I am not ready to commit to it, but his past week I went on a trip to Phoenix and went to their OdySea aquarium and I caught the saltwater bug. If you have never been I highly advise you check it out. (Worlds only rotation aquarium experience and you have to look in the bathroom..)

With that being said, I have a few questions about Saltwater and where to start.

-What would you recommend for an AIO aquarium? Sized 10-15? I am thinking 15gallon, but my friend has offered to give me his old 10gallon for 'Free' ($20, Pizza and Beer).
-I am interested in doing a reef style tank where I can have fish and coral, what species do you recommend? (Any suggestion helps)
-Is there any equipment that experienced reefers would recommend you get now instead of later down the line?
-Any brands/websites/supplies you suggest to purchase/stay away from?
-Favorite fish in the hobby?

Thank you,
Smitty

 

[TX_REEF]

Welcome Smitty! First and foremost, recommend you check out this thread so you understand everything required (biggest being patience): https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

As far as AIO tank systems in that range, Reef Casa is quite nice and affordable: https://reefcasa.com/product/nano-reef-tank/?currency=USD#1688001142743-00b71988-fb19

Some folks have also been buying HelloReef kits lately, I am less a fan of these because I prefer shallow tanks, whereas this is more of a cube. Really personal preference: https://helloreef.com/clownfish-anemone-aquarium-kit-hello-reef.html

As far as livestock, it really comes down to your level of desired effort. Fish, going to be relatively limited due to tank size. Saltwater is not like freshwater where 1 inch of fish per gallon will keep your fish happy and healthy. A tank that size, you could do a pair of ocellaris clowns, or you could do a mix of nano fish such as gobies. Corals, sky is the limit. I'd just shy away from any expert-level care corals to start (acropora, for example), until you get your "sea legs". Just make sure your lighting and flow is appropriate for the corals you wish to keep. Zoanthids are generally beginner friendly, relatively low maintenance, and affordable.

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Congrats on entering the salty side! I quite like the AIO aquariums from Innovative Marine, I've had a handful of their tanks and been happy with all of them.

10 gallons is a decent sized tank, but if you'd like to have some fish I'm going to suggest you go larger. As mentioned above, in saltwater the fish generally need more room. Most beginners want a Clownfish or two, and I'd really suggest 15 to 20 gallons minimum for pair of Clowns, especially if you're going with an AIO tank where the filter section is taking up some space in the display section.

Water is important. I would get an RODI filter system to make purified fresh water to mix your own saltwater and to replace evaporated freshwater. If you don't yet have an RODI system, you can just jugs of distilled water for smaller tanks. Using distilled water gets expensive and is a pain to haul all the jugs for larger tanks, so most people eventually get an RODI system.

I would also suggest an Auto Top Off system that replaces evaporated freshwater automatically. This eliminates having to manually top off every day (or more), and more importantly helps to keep the salinity stable, which is very important for coral care.

You'll like need some decent test kits, I'd suggest the ones from Salifert; they are inexpensive and considered reliable.

I would look at very peaceful, small fish for these sized tanks - I think everyone likes Tail Spot Blennies, as well as Cardinals, filefish, and small Gobies, would be good to research. Clownfish are very hardy and popular, just know that they are very aggressive fish, even if they don't look it

Here's some info on easier corals to try:





I also think this is a good video series for beginners:


Good luck with your build!

 

[BryanM]

Hello, my name is SaltwaterSmitty

I have start off saying I have never owned a saltwater aquarium before. I currently have two planted freshwater aquariums right now, so I am not completely new to to hobby. I have a friend who has been trying to push me over to edge into the saltwater side of things. I have been using the excuse for the longest time that I am waiting because I am not ready to commit to it, but his past week I went on a trip to Phoenix and went to their OdySea aquarium and I caught the saltwater bug. If you have never been I highly advise you check it out. (Worlds only rotation aquarium experience and you have to look in the bathroom..)

With that being said, I have a few questions about Saltwater and where to start.

-What would you recommend for an AIO aquarium? Sized 10-15? I am thinking 15gallon, but my friend has offered to give me his old 10gallon for 'Free' ($20, Pizza and Beer).
-I am interested in doing a reef style tank where I can have fish and coral, what species do you recommend? (Any suggestion helps)
-Is there any equipment that experienced reefers would recommend you get now instead of later down the line?
-Any brands/websites/supplies you suggest to purchase/stay away from?
-Favorite fish in the hobby?

Thank you,
Smitty

You've already received solid advice.

I'd take your friend up on the $20 pizza and beer offer.

If you can afford it, by far the easiest start is with ocean live rock.

And you're pretty limited in the number and size of fish in a small tank, just do your research or ask here. I would steer clear of clowns in that size tank, even though they are a popular choice.

 

[MC Blowfish]

Welcome to R2R!

I would recommend at least 15-20 gallons if you want fish. Most people like Clowns and they will do well with a tank that size. With a 20 gallon, you could always add a blenny or a goby.

As far as corals go. Zoas, GSP, and mushrooms are fairly easy to take care of. Just as a warning, GSP can grow quickly and will take over. It's best to isolate it on a rock or against the back wall.

I use distilled water for my top-offs and water changes.

Since you're looking at corals. Look at getting a wavemaker and good lights. You can always wait and get the lights when you get corals, but if you want everything done before you stock, get the lights now.

 

[SaltwaterSmitty]

Welcome Smitty! First and foremost, recommend you check out this thread so you understand everything required (biggest being patience): https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

As far as AIO tank systems in that range, Reef Casa is quite nice and affordable: https://reefcasa.com/product/nano-reef-tank/?currency=USD#1688001142743-00b71988-fb19

Some folks have also been buying HelloReef kits lately, I am less a fan of these because I prefer shallow tanks, whereas this is more of a cube. Really personal preference: https://helloreef.com/clownfish-anemone-aquarium-kit-hello-reef.html

As far as livestock, it really comes down to your level of desired effort. Fish, going to be relatively limited due to tank size. Saltwater is not like freshwater where 1 inch of fish per gallon will keep your fish happy and healthy. A tank that size, you could do a pair of ocellaris clowns, or you could do a mix of nano fish such as gobies. Corals, sky is the limit. I'd just shy away from any expert-level care corals to start (acropora, for example), until you get your "sea legs". Just make sure your lighting and flow is appropriate for the corals you wish to keep. Zoanthids are generally beginner friendly, relatively low maintenance, and affordable.

Thank you so much, I appreciate this more than you know!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Make sure to read this thread!

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[eastgill]

Sounds like you’ve got a really cool friend!

 

[SaltwaterSmitty]

Sounds like you’ve got a really cool friend!

Good friend indeed!

 

[Fish Fan]

Good friend indeed!

Nice score!

What are the dimensions? Just from the pic, that looks like the 15 gallon to me, not the 10

 

[SaltwaterSmitty]

Good friend indeed!

Nice score!

What are the dimensions? Just from the pic, that looks like the 15 gallon to me, not the 10

It’s the 10, 15 would’ve been awesome. The ten is nice for me, had to carry it up three flights of stairs!

 

[Fish Fan]

It’s the 10, 15 would’ve been awesome. The ten is nice for me, had to carry it up three flights of stairs!

Either way, that's a nice tank to start with