ATKINSON

Sorry for the hijack but would it be acceptable to keep live rock and a single percula or ocellaris clown fish in a 5gal or a pair in a 10gal if need be and would you need a protein skimmer for such a small tank?

sgould

Hey Atkinson...I went ahead and split your question into its own thread so as not to hijack the other.

The perc and ocellaris clowns are recommended for 20 gallon tanks minimum. I know it is not difficult to skim through various forums (including this one) and find folks that keep them in smaller set ups, but I am passing along what I have read from sources I trust as well as what I have done myself (I have a perc in a 29 gallon and a maroon in a 55). As to the skimmer question, unless you are going to be keeping sensitive inverts and/or corals, you could get away with not having a skimmer.

ATP

I agree with sgould. almost any fish is too small for a 5g.

ATKINSON

Thanks guys, If I had to get a 20gal with live rock and a clown fish( smaller variety) without a skimmer, what sort of pumps(power heads), lights I should get? Thanks all.

ATP

I usually use 2xkoralia 3 (forgot if I use 3 or 2) for small tanks. The lights depends on if you want coral or not. and if you want corals it depends on what type.

ATKINSON

Thanks ATP, I am thinking about a very simple tank. as its my first tank SW tank. Just plain live rock and a clown fish. Not sure about live sand?

ATP

FOWLR tank will do better with flourescents and actinic lights. Will there be any other fish in there?

I always give this advice to people who's tarting a new tank to be patient and make sure to not use tap water

ATKINSON

No other fish for now. What water should I use then, Salt water mix with tap water? Also, how do you cycle a sw tank, same as FW? Thanks.

ATP

Almost everyday, you add RO water (reverse osmosis) (it's like pure water) because saltwater evaporates fast. Once every few weeks or once a month, you mix RO water with salt and do water changes.

For the cycle, it will be a long process.
http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html

locoyo386

Hi there, not to contradict anyone here but 2 Ocellaris Clownfish
(Amphiprion ocellaris) would have been fine in a 10 gallon tank. There are not as territorial and they do not really swim alot. The 20L is a better choice. All my tanks are as simple as I can make them for the fish that they are housing. If you got the 20L, you could add about 10lbs of sand. You will realise that clowns like to fanout sand so maybe 20 lbs would work better, unless you don't mind seeing the bottom glass exposed. A simple set up for that size tank would be the tank, the typical fluorescent lighting will be ok (unless you plan on keeping corals). For filtration I use Marineland power filters (250 for that size tank will be fine). You will not need a skimmer (if not keeping corals), and power heads are optional I prefer Hydor Koralia powerheads. For that size tnak you could use the nano or 1, that should be fine to keep water moving at the top of the sand to prevent cyano bacteria. Water can be bought at most saltwater fish store, as stated above use RO water. For salt water you can either mix it or buy it, I buyt mine as it is $1.00 per gallon where I buy my stuff. I do however know that by most part the mixing is cheaper it turns out to be around $0.60 cents per gallon.

As far as cycling the tank you can do it different ways. I use damsels, but everyone will tell you not to do it as it is cruel to the fish. Others use a raw shrimp to start the ammonia proccess. Other ghost feed the tank, and few actually introduce pure ammonia. The most commond way now a days is to use live rock, I do not use this method since you are going to be limited to the amount of fish you introduce initially (small bio-filter). In your case either way is fine, as you will only add two small fish.

ATP

They could put them in a 10 gallon, but it's best not to. (I'm not going to put the reasons because there's a bunch of them)

ATKINSON

Thanks, is RO water the same as bore hole water? Is it compulsory? So you are saying it is fine to cycle the tank with live rock? Wont it die? Sorry for all the questions, I dont want my sw tank tto be a failure.
Are there diferent types of live rock and is kenyan a good type ?thanks.

locoyo386

Well we all have our opinions about housing fish.

locoyo386

Hi there

ATKINSON

Thanks, how many kg of live rock should I use to cycle a 20gal tank?

locoyo386

HI there,

Between 5 and 7 should be O.K., most would recomend between 9 and 14. I have never cycled with with live rock, but I would recomend that you check the ammonia daily till you see it show up. That way you don't miss it if it turns out to be a small amount.

aquarist48

Hello Atkinson. Best of luck with your new salt set up. I hope you can share some photos along the way!
Ken

ATKINSON

Thanks locoyo. Aquarist48:Will try to get photos.