Best beginner saltwater stocking ideas?

[Patrick M Bodega Aquatics]

Hello everyone!
My name is Patrick and I am new to this forum. I have been keeping freshwater for about 10 years and am apart of 3 other forums. I am interested in starting saltwater but I have no experience. I have a 10g with a betta that I am interested in converting into saltwater. What stocking do you recommend for a 10 gallon? I am also intrigued by coral and anemones. Is there a good beginner type that you recommend? The tank has a power filter. Would this work? What other equipment, other than a different light, would I need to convert fresh to salt?
Thanks in advance!

Respectfully,
Patrick M

 

[Arcticfirefighter]

Unfortunately, will be VERY limited with a 10 gallon. I would say maybe a pair of firefish with some smaller aquascaping. There is a forum on here that discusses "Nano Tanks" (Link Below) there will probably be some good information for you in there. I wish I could help more with your question but my knowledge of livestock and equipment for Nano tanks is extremely limited. If you decide to do the build make sure to create a build thread, I would like to see the tank as is matures. Good luck to you!

Nano Reefs

Got a nano? Well here is a place for all you nano lovers to hang!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[SMSREEF]

10 gallon is a great tank to start with.
I would get a couple awesome pieces of real live rock with feather dusters and cool stuff growing in it.
Stocking:
Inverts: a few sexy shrimp, 5 snails (trochus or astrea).
Fish: A clown goby and/or small clownfish.

I like @Lasse ’s method.

15 Steps to Starting a Saltwater Aquarium: The Lasse Method

15 Steps to Starting a Saltwater Aquarium: The Lasse Method Display Tank. Photos are all courtesy of Lasse Forsberg. ©2019, All Rights Reserved. INTRODUCTION There are many methods to start a saltwater aquarium--each major aquarium product manufacturer has its own. Common to most, however...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Patrick M Bodega Aquatics]

Thank you very much!

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

I wouldn’t try a nem if you’re new to the hobby. Some of them are hard to keep and if they die they nuke the tank. As far as fish I’d do a set of small clowns and that’s probably all. You could do a small colony of soft coral with them, zoa and pulsing Xenia are pretty bullet proof. Clowns will host Xenia like a nem and it’s basically a weed so it just grows and grows. Most people don’t like it I personally think it’s so cool.

 

[tnewell]

I would not add an anemone into your tank until your tank has been running for about 7-8 months. As for other coral, zoas are fascinatingly beautiful but don’t move around to much, but are possibly bomb proof. Also, you have gsp and other softies like Duncan’s, pretty resilient and should be okay in a small tank(gsp is invasive). As for fish, unless you 100% plan for an anemone in the future, I would get a smaller/more social fish!! (Clowns can host power heads or some weird structure and you will barely see them) I would reccomend a fire fish, chromes, pajama cardinal, and/or other small fish. If you plan on growing coral, your gonna need a light powerful enough to grow these corals. Is this a rimless tank or does it have a lid? I would suggest running carbon as well.

 

[Tamberav]

Rock flower nems are very hardy and easy to keep. They will not host clownfish but can host porcelain anemone crabs, sexy shrimp, or Paterson’s cleaner shrimp.

They come in a large array of colors and can even breed in our tanks. They don’t get very large and can live in a 10g just fine.

 

[Patrick M Bodega Aquatics]

I would not add an anemone into your tank until your tank has been running for about 7-8 months. As for other coral, zoas are fascinatingly beautiful but don’t move around to much, but are possibly bomb proof. Also, you have gsp and other softies like Duncan’s, pretty resilient and should be okay in a small tank(gsp is invasive). As for fish, unless you 100% plan for an anemone in the future, I would get a smaller/more social fish!! (Clowns can host power heads or some weird structure and you will barely see them) I would reccomend a fire fish, chromes, pajama cardinal, and/or other small fish. If you plan on growing coral, your gonna need a light powerful enough to grow these corals. Is this a rimless tank or does it have a lid? I would suggest running carbon as well.

Below is Petsmart's photo of what the tank looks like.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fire fish goby
Percolate clowns
6 lined wrasse
Tailspot blenny

mushrooms
Leathers
Candy canes
Xenia

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Rock flower nems are very hardy and easy to keep. They will not host clownfish but can host porcelain anemone crabs, sexy shrimp, or Paterson’s cleaner shrimp.

They come in a large array of colors and can even breed in our tanks. They don’t get very large and can live in a 10g just fine.

Dont they like to eat fish though?

 

[Tamberav]

Dont they like to eat fish though?

Not at all. No.

You might be thinking of mini carpets.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Not at all. No.

You might be thinking of mini carpets.

You’re right. I am. I get carpets and rock flowers confused.