Okay, either sometime late this year or sometime next year, I'm going to start a saltwater aquarium, my first one. This will happen after I move to another state, which in some ways, I have to if I want to start another tank. Anyway, for the past 20 years, I have been doing a tropical freshwater aquarium, it wasn't until about a year ago I started a second tank, same as the first. Now, I plan on starting a tropical saltwater aquarium, kind of like fulfilling a childhood dream.
I am currently thinking about buying a tank that is around 50 gals, but no more then 60, definitely not going to get one of those tanks that are big enough to fill up the room. This tank will have a lot of first going for me, along with the saltwater, but also going to add sand to the bottom, not sure if a reef tank is a good thing to start off with, some live plants and a few other things. Equipment, can use a little advise on, because this would be new territory for me.
When it comes to fish, don't chew me out, still researching, but wouldn't mind a little advise/suggestions, I'm thinking along the lines of cardinalfish, chromis, clownfish, maybe a butterflyfish or small angelfish, along with some cleaner shrimp and maybe either a horseshoe or hermit crab. Not entirely sure of anything yet, at least until when the time comes to where it feels right, and right now I'm just taking the time to do my homework now instead of the last minute.
To help anybody willing to give answers to a new saltie, what I always try to do is a community tank and trying to mix fish and inverts to where nobody becomes a meal for the other or makes life hell for the other. Looking for peaceful fish, could handle semi-aggressive if it involves making sure they have their own turf to claim. Not sure if live rocks are a necessity, so please tell me if they are. Are there any fake sea anemones being made because if I do get clownfish, not sure if they would matter and the last thing I need is to take care of something that can kill me, like the phrase, 'attacking the hand that feeds you.'
Would be mostly appreciative of anything helpful, as long as nobody chews me out for asking a question.
I am currently thinking about buying a tank that is around 50 gals, but no more then 60, definitely not going to get one of those tanks that are big enough to fill up the room. This tank will have a lot of first going for me, along with the saltwater, but also going to add sand to the bottom, not sure if a reef tank is a good thing to start off with, some live plants and a few other things. Equipment, can use a little advise on, because this would be new territory for me.
When it comes to fish, don't chew me out, still researching, but wouldn't mind a little advise/suggestions, I'm thinking along the lines of cardinalfish, chromis, clownfish, maybe a butterflyfish or small angelfish, along with some cleaner shrimp and maybe either a horseshoe or hermit crab. Not entirely sure of anything yet, at least until when the time comes to where it feels right, and right now I'm just taking the time to do my homework now instead of the last minute.
To help anybody willing to give answers to a new saltie, what I always try to do is a community tank and trying to mix fish and inverts to where nobody becomes a meal for the other or makes life hell for the other. Looking for peaceful fish, could handle semi-aggressive if it involves making sure they have their own turf to claim. Not sure if live rocks are a necessity, so please tell me if they are. Are there any fake sea anemones being made because if I do get clownfish, not sure if they would matter and the last thing I need is to take care of something that can kill me, like the phrase, 'attacking the hand that feeds you.'
Would be mostly appreciative of anything helpful, as long as nobody chews me out for asking a question.