TFA101

Maybe once I get into college or later (oh boy, 5 years left) I might consider converting my 20 Gallon tank into a saltwater, most likely a FOWLR. My favorites are yellowtail blue damsels and thoses from the clownfish family. Coincidentally, they are starter fish, perfect for me. What do I need, what fish choices do I have, will this choice I'm making on the transition from fresh to saltwater be worth while?

Slug

Depends what you want to get out of it if its going to be worthwhile. The way i see it, it advances your skill level as well as knowledge level in the hobby. It lets you experience another side to the hobby, a side not everyone is willing to jump to. Plus saltwater tanks are always fun. I prefer reef tanks to FOWLR personally, but coral can be a very expensive venture (Lights mainly but not terribly expensive in a small tank.)

What do you need for conversion? Some power heads, live rock, sand, and saltwater. You don't even need a protein skimmer really, if you keep up the water changes more frequently. But if you have the money, get a skimmer.

Fish choices...quite a bit. Clowns, all sorts of gobies, cardinals, some of the smaller wrasse (sixline or fourline), some of the smaller Blennys, Hawkfish, Royal Gramma, Firefish, etc. Thats a very broad list, if you want specific i can get pretty specific. I'd skip the damsels...more trouble then they are worth. A pair of clowns would be great for a 20gal, and maybe get a nice Goby for the bottom areas. Goby + Pistol shrimp combos are always really cool to have and don't take up to much space. The number of fish depends not only on their aggression levels but also the diligence of maintenance.