I have a 30 gallon aquarium and I have decided to make it a Salt Water one, who doesn't want there very own nemo!? Anyway, I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about keeping one.

What Kind of equipment do I need, Is it much different than a fresh water? Should I have Fish, live rock, corral? All of it? How long will it take to cycle? Do I throw some salt in it and let it be? What do I use to test it (Are salt water and freshwater tests the same)? How many Salt water fish can I have in a 30 gallon? What is live rock?

I know... lots of questions, Like I said I know NOTHING, so if some smarty pants out there wants to teach me everything PLEASE DO! I reallly reallllly REALLY think Salt water tanks are SOOO pretty but I want to be 100% prepared.. and not kill a $80 fish:p

If it helps I have:

-30 gallon aquarium
-Heater
-Filter (its a whiper power filter :confused: )

Marine fish are very touchy... I don't know much about them other than they are very hard to keep, and that if you want a 'pretty' aquarium then it's probably not for you.

The tanks need to be kept at optimum temperatures, ph, salt levels blah blah blah... too much work for me tbh. Plus they always look dirty, not like the ones you see in pet stores with little or no decorations in them. You also need a super-duper power filter and a BIG tank.

I have always wanted one, but know I wouldn't have the time or patience to make sure all the fish stayed healthy.

30 gal salt water fish can only hold about 8 fish or so. Salt water fish get bigger and the salt in the water makes it heavier. Success with salt water is the bigger the tank, the easier it is to keep.

You would need a protein skimmer, undergravel filter and a sump filter.. about a 15gal tank is needed for a sump. I would suggest a in filter heater. It's a more even temp throughout the tank.

Live gravel is a must.. 1 lb per gal.. Live rock helps cycle a tank faster, but its your choice... live plants are pretty cool, but a lot of marine fish eat them.. so your choice again.

You would need two types of lights.. one for day one for night.

Pretty much the only type of fish you could have that would be low maintanence would be clownfish, selecy gobies and other fish that are kind of friendly.

When purchasing salties, be sure the fish is captive bred. You have better success with it living longer then a week and no disease.

To maintain a salty tank, you have to check the gravity of salt weekly. Ph levels have to be perfect. When adding water due to water changes, make sure you have separate container to mix the new salt water in. Make sure the new water is close in all levels, ammonia nitrates and nitrites.

If you've never had fish before, doing salt water isn't difficult... but its no where compareable to freshwater.

Good luck

8 fish? I was thinking 2 :p I was planning on a clown fish and a royal gramma but maybe I'll get 2 clowns and the royal gramma. I'm not 100% sure yet there is still a lot of research I need to do.

I have an extra ten gallon, I know you said 15 but would a ten work?

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Originally Posted by Emily94

I have an extra ten gallon, I know you said 15 but would a ten work?

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It might work...