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So down the road I was thinking...

1K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  bettababy 
#1 · (Edited)
I would like to eventually start a 10 gallon saltwater tank. All I want is a male maroon clown fish, just one. Now this won't be for a good while, but I would like to get a rough idea of how much things are gonna cost me, so I can start saving. I don't know all the things I'll need either...so that's where you guys come in. I don't know anyone who has a saltwater tank and I'd rather not ask the LFS...I trust you guys more. So...what will I need for a healthy 10 gallon set up? And what am I lookin at price range for the needed items. Thanks guys.

If a clown fish is totally unsuitable for ten gallons, even though I've seen it, then I would like to hear what other small salt water fish could work. I like the fire fish goby A LOT, so would that be a good choice possibly?
 
#2 ·
Would you consider a 20 or 30 gallon tank instead? I say this because a 10 gallon saltwater tank can be very difficult to keep stable and take care of, and because a maroon clown would get too big for a 10 gallon, but could do well in a 20 - 30 gallon and even leave room for a few other things to go with it..
 
#3 ·
Maroon Clowns get too big for a 10G. Often reaching up to 5". However, the males do stay smaller than the females, but I still wouldn't get one.

This is purely personal, but I think 10G is the perfect size for a starting tank if you have a budget and/or space issues. I did, and many others I know have.
 
#4 ·
If you are being very honest with yourself, then a 10 gallon tank with one Ocellaris Clownfish would be an easy setup. Better yet, a single Blue Damsel or Yellow Tail Damsel would be very easy to care for.

In this very specific situation, you could probably use the existing equipment you have now on your freshwater tank.

Give us a list of the exact equipment you own and we can advise further.
 
#5 ·
Well...I have 2 ten gallons. Ones a tetra starter kit, the other an aqueon. I was considering just buying another tank for a new set up...I'm not sure what I'd do, cuz I don't plan on these fish dying anytime soon.
 
#6 ·
One thing to keep in mind with salt water is that the smaller the tank the more work it will be to keep it healthy. The larger the tank, the easier it is to care for/less work involved, and more space for animals you may desire. It is quite often that once someone begins in the saltwater hobby, a single fish in a tank is simply not enough and more are desired. 10 gallons would limit you to 1 fish, as Pasfur has already said... and the selection for a 10 gallon tank is quite small.

One more thing to consider... if wishing to keep an anemone with a clownfish or a pair of clownfish with or without anemone, it would require larger than 10 gallons... Specific species of clowns will bond with specific species of anemone. In the case of oscellaris it would be a bubble anemone, which grows quite large. You may want to do some research on the various species of clownfish and the anemones who host them. Anemone sizes can be extreme for some species, such as ritteri, sebae, etc.

I agree with 1 single oscellaris clown or 1 of the species of damsels that Pasfur mentioned, but I have seen the yellow tail damsels reach sizes that would warrant more than 10 gallons. (up to 6 inches in length as mature adults). 1 maroon or tomato clown could do well in 30 gallons, which is what I tend to suggest also for the yellow tail damsels if kept singly. These fish have long life spans, and it is not out of the ordinary to expect 10 or more years with a clownfish. This is a long term commitment.

Are you wanting to add corals to this tank or keep it a fish only set up? That should also be considered when determining how large of a tank you will want to start with. Many species of corals are not compatible with each other in small tanks such as 10 gallons, so the smaller the tank the smaller your selection of compatible inverts as well.
 
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