First saltwater tank - 20G with a pair of clowns

Soooooooo........ i was thinking i want a saltwater tank. probaly a 20 with a pair of clowns. i know clowns are easy but its feels like theres this other more complicated part to saltwater like water changes wont be as simple, like u need to do that then this, apart from the obvious saltwater change. so im not sure if i should start aqnd get one especially that over 250 price tag. basically im just asking what i shiould do if i want a saltwater tank

 

Hi, I have 2 reef tanks and they are great and I would definitely recommend anyone getting one that is dedicated. I'll try to break down keeping a saltwater tank as best I can.
So the main different types of tanks. Fish only, fish only with live rock and reef. The first 2 are the simplest and the best to start with, they are very much like keeping a freshwater tank apart from you are using salt. Reef tanks are where the more in depth water testing, dosing and extra equipment like skimmers come in to play, I would suggest looking into this later on if you like the world of saltwater.
as for fish only, much like your freshwater tank, weekly water changes are needed to keep levels correct. You will also need to do a fishless cycle to make sure your fish survive. Clownfish are great first fish in saltwater, everyone likes them and they are very hardy, they can withstand most mistakes People make when they first start, but they can be very aggressive.
mixing saltwater isn't as big of a deal as people make out, it is advisable that you use RO water especially if you are doing reef, fish only this is less important. Just weigh out the amount of salt that the bucket says, add it to a bucket of water with a pump and heater and let it dissolve, once dissolved test the level with a refractometer and do a normal water change. Or if this sound like too much work most fish shops that do marine will sell ready mixed saltwater.
Basic saltwater tanks don't take much more to care for than a freshwater tank, just a few little differences but I would definitely recommend them, there are so many bright and colourful fish and inverts that can go into a tank, just be aware that 2 clownfish in a 20 will be fully stocked apart from clean up crew. Also don't be intimidated by some people in the saltwater side, they try to make it sound more complicated than it is to make themselfs sound smart but there are also alot of people who are willing to help new starters as we want them to stay in the hobby. Best of luck with saltwater and hope you didn't get bored of this long message

 

Watch BRS 5 minute saltwater guides. I loved my freshwater tanks. Once I setup my saltwater tank I find myself so caught up in it. It's def different. 250 for a 20g is alot of money imo. But if it's all in one and has lights and everything then not bad. But I say watch BRS 5 minute guide.

 

It's really the same as fresh water in terms of what the fish keeper does. Fish + Live rock is great and fun tank.

I just think 20 gallon is pretty small. I mean if you are going to do it, I mean the smaller tank is always less stable and less forgiving. How about a 45 gallon?

Look for used stuff. Lots of people getting out of the hobby on Craigslist. You can get a whole set up used from somebody who wants out!

One extra thing in a salt water tank is the protein skimmer. They don't have that in fresh water. Something to wrap your brain around even for just a fish and live rock tank. It does help a lot. You don't need it. But it is really quite cool.

Have you ever seen how oysters (filter feeders) can clean sea water. They filter the water. Protein skimmer does that. So if you have an incomplete ecosystem, no filter feeders etc, the protein skimmer helps keep the tank clean instead. These simply don't work in fresh water.

 

Soooooooo........ i was thinking i want a saltwater tank. probaly a 20 with a pair of clowns. i know clowns are easy but its feels like theres this other more complicated part to saltwater like water changes wont be as simple, like u need to do that then this, apart from the obvious saltwater change. so im not sure if i should start aqnd get one especially that over 250 price tag. basically im just asking what i shiould do if i want a saltwater tank

 

I wouldn’t do it. For the money you are buying someone else’s headache. It doesn’t even have the fish. My advise get the size you want 40gal. Keep it simple no coral. That’s is where you have to get into looking at all the misc other readings Start simple. You can buy saltwater at store so you don’t have to mix it. Argonite sand online. Cycle tank. The test kits for fresh and salt are the same others may disagree but for just fish it is the same and you will save some money. There are YouTube videos to prove this with tests. Get a few fish hearty ones and make sure you get comfortable. Watch videos. Plan ahead. Keep it simple. Hope this helps.