New To Saltwater: Want a future mini-reef tank.

Hello Saltwater fishlorians ! If you are not aware, I am only experienced with freshwater fish. One day, I woke up and I was like "I want a small mini-reef tank". I was before supposed to get a 75 gal saltwater marine reef tank, but I changed my mind. I have some questions about saltwater marine tanks. I do want a 30 gallon live coral tank. Is a 30 to small? I do want some clownfish, watchman goby and pajama cardinalfish AND talbot's damselfish. I would like some anemone, and some small coral. Would a 30 gallon be ok for about 2-3 of each fish specie and about a couple corals? Are there any other fish you would recommend . I only want small easy keep saltwater fish, as I am new to Saltwater fishkeeping. If there is a need of more space, what should the size be?
Are there any more fish I could add? I am very interested in seahorses, gobies and firefish

"Loving a pet is not enough, you have to discipline it, feed it and treat them when they are sick."
-Cacret

 

Newbie at Saltwater tanks

Hello Saltwater fishlorians ! If you are not aware, I am only experienced with freshwater fish. One day, I woke up and I was like "I want a small mini-reef tank". I was before supposed to get a 75 gal saltwater marine reef tank, but I changed my mind. I have some questions about saltwater marine tanks. I do want a 30 gallon live coral tank. Is a 30 to small? I do want some clownfish, watchman goby and pajama cardinalfish AND talbot's damselfish. I would like some anemone, and some small coral. Would a 30 gallon be ok for about 2-3 of each fish specie and about a couple corals? Are there any other fish you would recommend . I only want small easy keep saltwater fish, as I am new to Saltwater fishkeeping. If there is a need of more space, what should the size be?
Are there any more fish I could add? I am very interested in seahorses, gobies and firefish




"Loving a pet is not enough, you have to discipline it, feed it and treat them when they are sick."
-Cacret

 

I have heard when it comes to saltwater bigger is easier

 

Hello, I am also a newbie (my 10 gallon is in its planning stages)

1. Is a 30 too small? No
2. I do want some clownfish, watchman goby and pajama cardinalfish AND talbot's damselfish. I think those fish are fine but I don't know anytjing about talbots damselfish.
3. I would like some anemone. I wanted one too but the neey stong lighting and the get really big (most) and they can sting corals. They don't live very long in captivity.
4. Some small coral. Go to liveaquaria and look at their nano section; that will give you a good idea on what you can and can't keep.
5. Would a 30 gallon be ok for about 2-3 of each fish specie and about a couple corals? Not really; you can do 2 clownfish, 1 watchman goby, and 2 pajama ardinalfish. (Again, I don't know anytjing about talbots damselfish)
6. Are there any other fish you would recommend? I only want small easy keep saltwater fish, as I am new to Saltwater fishkeeping.
7. If there is a need of more space, what should the size be? I think 30 gallon is fine.
8. Are there any more fish I could add? I am very interested in seahorses, gobies and firefish. Seahorses are not for beginers. Most gobies are hardy and relatively inexpensive, research any species before you buy it! You can add a firefish to the above stock (number 5) an maybe another goby but that's about it really, you definitely don't want to overstock.

 

Newbie at Saltwater tanks

Thanks!
Chalk basses are also cool. What if I up the gallons to 40

"Loving a pet is not enough, you have to discipline it, feed it and treat them when they are sick."
-Cacret

 

And you and I both know bigger is always better when it comes to stocking

 

Aha yeah


"Loving a pet is not enough, you have to discipline it, feed it and treat them when they are sick."
-Cacret

 

30 isn't to small at all. Coral can be kept and grown in any size tank. The smaller the water volume the less room for error you have though.

I can't advise about the Damsel, but the clowns, goby, and Cardinal should be fine.

Skip the anemone for now. Get a basis for reefkeeping then go to anemones, they are not as easily kept and throwing it in the tank hoping the clowns host it. Its never that easy. Get something like a frogspawn or hammer coral to substitute for it while you learn. Will save you headache, heartache, and money in the long run. If you don't care about either 3, read up and jump right in!

Corals don't count towards the bioload, so load up as few or as many in there as you want. Just make sure you have the light to support them.

 

Do you plan on having a sump? That should be taken into consideration as you will need a good skimmer for that bioload. Probably will want one rated for at least 2-3x the size of your tank which will limit on which skimmers you are able to get if you don't have a sump and have to go hob method. Also not sure about your stocking list but a lot of species don't do good in multiples. I think most gobies are one of them.

 

You can check here as a start for fish profiles and see which are compatible or will do ok in multiples

https://www.fishlore.com/saltwaterfish.htm

 

You can have more fish in a 40.