TFA101

Ok, so i've outlined my aquarium's general setup with the assistance of harpua2002, and I would like to begin building my possible stocking plans. My tank layout is as follows...

Tank Size: 20 Gallons
Filter: (2) Aquaclear 10 Power Filter
powerhead(s): Aquaclear 30 Powerhead
Heating: Hydor Theo 100WT
Temperature: 80o F
Substrate: 20-30 lbs of dry aragonite
Salt Mix: Instant Ocean
Lighting: Single Fluorescent Tube
live rock: Approx. 20 lbs.
pH; kH °d: ~8.4; 10°
salinity: 1.023 ~ 1.025

I want to have at least ONE ocellaris clownfish in my setup. What are some suitable tankmates that wwon't add too much of a bioload to my tank.

Iron waffle

I would consider some gobies such as the clown goby or neon goby and. you could also have some shrimp and snails. there's also cardinalfish. hope that helpsWill you be making it a reef?

TFA101

no its gonna be a FOWLR.

i looked up on the cardinalfish and found two popular species, the pyjama and banggai. which would you recommend?

Iron waffle

well, i was thinking of the banggai, the thing is they can be aggressive towards other banggais if they're not a mating pair. I don't know that much about the pyjamas but to be honest they both seem like good candidates. If i had to pick i would go with the banggais because they're more availiable.

TFA101

kay. thatnks for the help.

and are royal gramma suitable?

Iron waffle

grammas are alright for the size tank but i have found that they're kind of territorial. It's hard to say how they'll get along because i haven't kept those species together. hiding spots woud definately be beneficial.

Oh, and remember to buy tank raised, they're hardier and acclimate easier (less susceptible to disease) that wild caught. good luck

aquarist48

Hello TFA. Sounds like it's going to be a really nice set up. Hope you can share some pictures along the way. I've never tried salt myself but I love to see them. Have a good night!

TFA101

Thanks Aquarist! It's not coming any time soon though. I have to raise the money for all the equipment besides the tank and light. plus i can't get it before 2010 because of a deal i was forced to abide by (one tank every year). But I do have a reputation as petsitter, so hopefully that job will pay as good as it normally does.

So how does this sound?

(1) Ocellaris clownfish, (1) Banggai Cardinalfish, (1) Neon Blue Goby, (1) Scarlett Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

And for future reference, whats the stocking ratio of saltwater tanks

Iron waffle

that sounds like an awesome tank! post pics when you get it.

TFA101

Will do! Now its just a waiting game for the most part.

this is gonna be the longest 9 months of my life...

TFA101

Oh my...

over the few days that fishlore was down, I read up on the saltwater care, acclimation, curing live rock, specific gravity, how the slightest change in water chemistry can bring down the whole tank, and the price. I don't know if I can do this whole saltwater thing. I have to admit, I guess starting bigger can be very beneficial. I honestly don't think I could maintain a marine nano tank being a total saltwater newbie. It really is alot of money too, I don't think the total cost of all my freshwater setups total up to what I got to successfully run a nano salty. I think I should hold off on this until I can afford a larger tank and be positive I can properly maintain it.

harpua2002

My first SW tank was a 2.5 gallon.
Nanos aren't as easy as FW setups, but it's doable if you can give it the attention it needs. You're definitely right about the cost though, in comparison. I don't think a 20 gallon FOWLR would be difficult, but if you're feeling hesitant then maybe it's best to hold off for now. More research will help your confidence, and hopefully you'll be ready some other time.

TFA101

Yeah i am a bit hesitant, mostly because of the large amount of spending. My tank totalled about $1500... thats alot of money for a 14 year old to be raising.

Otherwise, I don't think it would be too much of a problem maintaining the tank overall.

But yeah, I think I'll make this last tank a freshwater micro community, and hold off on the salties for later.

harpua2002

We probably had that much into the 20 gallon reef before we tore it down, but that was a reef system and we had a coral-buying addiction....

I think if you order your equipment online, you could put one together MUCH cheaper than that since it would be a FOWLR. You'd save a ton on lighting alone. But for sure, it would definitely cost you more than a FW setup. I didn't realize you are 14, and I'm sure it would be difficult to raise the money since you can't really get a job.