First, thanks for reading this and offering your input.
I've kept freshwater aquariums in the past and have had good success. I always said that the next aquarium I keep will be saltwater.
I feel like a tool, but I went down to Petco and talked to the guy about wanting a saltwater aquarium-you know, the ins and outs. He tells me I can easily keep a 10 gallon tank and it will be fine. I figure, this is a christmas gift for me to enjoy with my little son, so I'll start small. If I can handle 10 gallons I can work up from there in the future (which I want to do). I felt proud of my purchase and am looking forward to starting to set it up on Christmas morning.
Before the big launch, I figured I would google a bit, just to make sure I am doing this right. I came across this site, began reading a lot of the postings, and now I am sweating.
Help me out here. My purpose is a 10 gallon tank with about 4-5 smaller type fish. I am sure one will be a clown fish. I bought a "kit" from Petco, the price was reasonable. I also bought the coral sand, salt, etc.--everything I thought I needed except for the fish.
If you could please talk to me like I am dumb, and don't know the aquariumnese language I would appreciate it. For instance, someone was talking about "live rocks" and to my shame, I don't know what that means.
Please help. Should I take back the 10 gallon tank and get the 20g? I will have to sell my wife on it, but am sure I can if it's critical. I don't want the fish to feel like they are living in a garage, as one poster put it. Any insight will be appreciated, even if you want to rip me for making some mistakes. I've got to start somewhere. Thanks.
I've kept freshwater aquariums in the past and have had good success. I always said that the next aquarium I keep will be saltwater.
I feel like a tool, but I went down to Petco and talked to the guy about wanting a saltwater aquarium-you know, the ins and outs. He tells me I can easily keep a 10 gallon tank and it will be fine. I figure, this is a christmas gift for me to enjoy with my little son, so I'll start small. If I can handle 10 gallons I can work up from there in the future (which I want to do). I felt proud of my purchase and am looking forward to starting to set it up on Christmas morning.
Before the big launch, I figured I would google a bit, just to make sure I am doing this right. I came across this site, began reading a lot of the postings, and now I am sweating.
Help me out here. My purpose is a 10 gallon tank with about 4-5 smaller type fish. I am sure one will be a clown fish. I bought a "kit" from Petco, the price was reasonable. I also bought the coral sand, salt, etc.--everything I thought I needed except for the fish.
If you could please talk to me like I am dumb, and don't know the aquariumnese language I would appreciate it. For instance, someone was talking about "live rocks" and to my shame, I don't know what that means.
Please help. Should I take back the 10 gallon tank and get the 20g? I will have to sell my wife on it, but am sure I can if it's critical. I don't want the fish to feel like they are living in a garage, as one poster put it. Any insight will be appreciated, even if you want to rip me for making some mistakes. I've got to start somewhere. Thanks.