A question....

[burky_tc]

So not sure if this is a dumb question with an obvious answer or not. I have been reading around about saltwater setups and would like to set one up. I was reading about basic setups with just fish.

To the question. Would it be possible to do a setup with fish only using a 5-10 gallon tank and using the premixed water I have seen at petco. Ok so maybe the question is what else would I really need to do beside have a filter and lighting. I was reading an older thread about just needing a basic setup with normal lights that normally come with tanks, UG filter and some powerheads to run the UG and then a basic substrate.

What I am trying to do is simplify things for myself and I have to do it within a college students budget and has to be a 10 gallon or smaller because thats all that is allowed in my apartment. I dont need all the corals and live rock if they arent necessary. I have other tanks at home such as my Pirahna tank and then my freshwater community. I want a tank in my apartment though but was tryin to go another route then freshwater.

I want some real answers and help not just people saying use the search button. I have been searching and looking all over the net. I just want opinions on what I could do for a basic setup. Thanks!

Gered

[Dave66]

What you're planning is described as a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) system, which can be very inexpensive to build. Couple pieces of base rock, a little rubble, and some live sand, and you're set. The live sand would make the inert base rock live rock in a few months. With that setup, you don't need the undergravel filter; the rock and sand is your filter. What you do need, however, is a protein skimmer. Get one with a venturi system. One small enough for a 10 would be under 50 bucks if you shop. Don't go cheap on it; a protein skimmer is the best friend you can have in marine fish keeping.
When you get set up contact me through PM and we'll talk fish selection.

Dave

[burky_tc]

Ok thanks for that info. A few more questions. Is the pre mixed water worth it? If I remember correctly it wasnt overly expensive and with such a small tank I would be worried about mixin it wrong.

Also would I need a filter or just the rock/sand and protein skimmer? Can you point me in the direction of a good protein skimmer for a 10 gallon. I know I will need a test kit and a hydrometer....what else?

About how long would a setup like this take to for it to be ready fish just curios?

[zackish]

You and Dave will discuss more possibilities I am sure but if you want to look into Percula Clowns a pair of them might be a good choice. You can also look into most of the Goby species.

[Dave66]

Ok thanks for that info. A few more questions. Is the pre mixed water worth it? If I remember correctly it wasnt overly expensive and with such a small tank I would be worried about mixin it wrong.

Also would I need a filter or just the rock/sand and protein skimmer? Can you point me in the direction of a good protein skimmer for a 10 gallon. I know I will need a test kit and a hydrometer....what else?

About how long would a setup like this take to for it to be ready fish just curios?

As it to be worth it is up to you. If its the product I'm thinking off, its excellant. The live rock and live sand would be your filter. Buy the best skimmer you can afford, going cheap will bite you. I use Aqua C skimmers, and I think they have a model small enough for a 10.
It'll take about a month for the live rock to cure and the ammonia and nitrite are zero. Start doing thirty percent water changes the week after you put the live rock/sand in.

Dave

[cocoa_pleco]

for a 10 i would use the RIO HOB skimmer, acts as a filter and skimmer. doesnt take up room and its great. i have one on the 20g high