Beginner brackish tank help

[The Omen]

Ok, so after thinking about getting a tropical fish tank and doing some research I've decided that crabs will be the centre point of my community tank - I've fallen in love with the red claw.

Looking at research over the internet it turns out crabs need a "brackish" setup, and the crabs that I'm particularly interested in need a 1.005/0.010 ratio of salt (a very mild brackish tank apparently).

Now the research I've been reading states that Mollies and guppies will do fine in this kind of setup - but I was wondering if this is true?

Also can anyone recommend any other kind of fish that'll go in a community tank - either schooling or a "centrepiece" fish.

The tank I'm getting is 200l, so obviously whatever I get will need to fit in that.

Any other advise that people can recommend - am I being silly wanting to start with a brackish tank or are they ok for a beginner if he spends the time looking after it?

[Cliff]

Welcome to the forum

You are not being silly. You can successfully set-up any tank you want, as long as you take your time to research it first. Setting up a tank without researching and learning how to maintain it first is silly. Your on the right track

In addition to coming here with questions, I would also suggest getting a good book on the topic (if you have not done that).

I know of a few people who keep mollies in brackish waters. I really don't know if it is the best thing for them or not.

My only other pc of advice is to get a refactometer for testing your salinity. Hydrometers can be inaccurate

[smaug]

I had a bw tank for 3 yyrs or so. Most boring damn cube of water I ever kept species that can be kept in small tanks are bland and unremarkable and normally mean tempered. Do yourself a favor and use the 200l for a nice fw tropical tank and get a smaller 10gallon for the crab, a much better environment can be made for them in a smaller tank with some nice wood or rockwork for them to climb on. Just my opinion of course and a bit of my experiance.