Starting My First Saltwater Aquarium

Hello! For nearly five years, I've learned how to keep freshwater fish. I've never actually had a saltwater tank, so I've started getting curious. All I have at the moment is a ten-gallon tank with a filter. The LED lights on the lid died, so I'll have to get a new one. I need to know a lot of information, as I've never even done research on keeping saltwater aquariums. Here are some questions to get me started.

What fish are appropriate for a ten-gallon tank?
I've always been interested in corals. What are some species that thrive in small, low-light tanks?
What are some suggested foods to give to the corals and fish?
Where do I get the saltwater when performing water changes?
What new parameters will I need to keep track of?
Would I need a heater?
Is movement in the water necessary?
Which plants thrive in tanks like these?
I've heard that a reverse osmosis system is necessary. What does it do, where can I get it, is it expensive, can I make my own, and do I even need one?
I'd like to make this a reef tank. Are there any suggestions on how to create one?
Will I need supplements for corals and other things?
Water conditioners like Prime work for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums, right?

Any website links are welcome. I want to do as much research as possible before getting into this. Thanks

 

Clownfish, blue chromis, cardinals.
Start with leather corals like frogspawn.
Frozen food mysis shrimp.
You mix your salt with your RodI water. I like using Instant Ocean.
Calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, kH, phosphate.
Yes you need a heater.
Yes you need water circulation especially if you plan to keep coral.
Not well versed in saltwater plants, but mangroves remove nitates like a boss.
RodI unit is absolutely necessary. You can’t make it. It removes all dissolved solids from your tap water like chlorine, copper, etc. essentially making your water pure with 0 total dissolved solids. You can get it on amazon, I use a cheap one but it works. I use the RO buddie 4-stage 55 gallon per day. Make sure you get 4 stages when you buy your system. Suggestions on a reef tank- stability, and read up on corals before you purchase any. Knowle-ge and patience is the key to this hobby. Watch YouTube videos.
Don’t use water conditioner, you want need it because the RodI system removes everything unecessary. I feel like adding prime will hurt the tank more than help. To start your cycle slthrow in a raw shrimp and add beneficial bacteria.

I was in your spot a few months ago, but as of 10 days ago I added my clowns and my tank is progressing.

 

Clownfish, blue chromis, cardinals.
Start with leather corals like frogspawn.
Frozen food mysis shrimp.
You mix your salt with your RodI water. I like using Instant Ocean.
Calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, kH, phosphate.
Yes you need a heater.
Yes you need water circulation especially if you plan to keep coral.
Not well versed in saltwater plants, but mangroves remove nitates like a boss.
RodI unit is absolutely necessary. You can’t make it. It removes all dissolved solids from your tap water like chlorine, copper, etc. essentially making your water pure with 0 total dissolved solids. You can get it on amazon, I use a cheap one but it works. I use the RO buddie 4-stage 55 gallon per day. Make sure you get 4 stages when you buy your system. Suggestions on a reef tank- stability, and read up on corals before you purchase any. Knowle-ge and patience is the key to this hobby. Watch YouTube videos.
Don’t use water conditioner, you want need it because the RodI system removes everything unecessary. I feel like adding prime will hurt the tank more than help. To start your cycle slthrow in a raw shrimp and add beneficial bacteria.

I was in your spot a few months ago, but as of 10 days ago I added my clowns and my tank is progressing.

Awesome! Thanks I'll be doing a lot of research before getting started. I've also heard of one more thing: protein skimmer. Will this be necessary?

 

Hello! For nearly five years, I've learned how to keep freshwater fish. I've never actually had a saltwater tank, so I've started getting curious. All I have at the moment is a ten-gallon tank with a filter. The LED lights on the lid died, so I'll have to get a new one. I need to know a lot of information, as I've never even done research on keeping saltwater aquariums. Here are some questions to get me started.

What fish are appropriate for a ten-gallon tank?
Really just clownfish and gobys
I've always been interested in corals. What are some species that thrive in small, low-light tanks?
zoas, gsp, leathers, pulsing xenia, rfas
What are some suggested foods to give to the corals and fish?
For fish high quality frozen foods and some pellets. Corals you don't need to feed unless you have lots
Where do I get the saltwater when performing water changes?
Either make it yourself ith RO/DI water and saltwater, or buy it from your LFS
What new parameters will I need to keep track of?
KH, pH, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and temp are the main ones
Would I need a heater?
Definitely. The tank should be kept at 80-82
Is movement in the water necessary?
Extremely. In freshwater, 5-10 times turnover per hour is OK. In saltwater, anywhere from 30 to 40 turnover per hour
Which plants thrive in tanks like these?
Not really plants in saltwater, its actually macro algea. Just look up saltwater macro algea
I've heard that a reverse osmosis system is necessary. What does it do, where can I get it, is it expensive, can I make my own, and do I even need one?
To put it simply, yes. You have to have RO/DI water for a reef. However, you don't have to get a unit. You can buy it from your LFS at around 25 to 50 cents per gallon. A good RO/DI unit will run about $125-$200.
I'd like to make this a reef tank. Are there any suggestions on how to create one?
I would use a 20 long instead of a 10. About the same price, but far more stocking options, and lots more room. Reef tank just means focused on the corals instead of the fish.
Will I need supplements for corals and other things?
Something like reef roids would be good once the system is established, but its not needed.
Water conditioners like Prime work for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums, right?
With RO/DI water there is no chlorine/chloramine/heavy metals. The water is perfectly pure.

Any website links are welcome. I want to do as much research as possible before getting into this. Thanks
Check out bulk reef supplys videos on reefing. Extremely helpful

 

Thanks for the information!

 

Protein skimmer removes organically from the water. I made my own.