Ideas for my first tank

dclemm10 · Apr 6, 2015

Hello everyone.

I am looking to strike up a new saltwater tank within the next fewmonths. I have read the patience is the key and some pointers from various sources. Although I have read them, I am a skeptic. I have had bad advise on y frehwater tank, spent money and watched my creation die off slowly. Money isnt the only reason I was upset. Good loving fish lost lives due to bad advise. Now I have a happy tank and fish and love it.

So a little backstory. While looking for fish to repopulate my freshwater tank I ran across the awesome saltwater fish with my daughter. Of course Nemo being her favorite she wanted to get one. So she asked me to build a tank, and as far as my daughter goes whatever she asks I do (within reason).

I want to make sure I can fit the fish within the tank and not cramp them. So I ask what is the best size tank? I am considering Tangs, Angelfish, demonets, triggers, anemones, threadworms, Clowns, and maybe a few others. I want to get them young to allow them to grow as well. SO my initial thought was no less then a 75 gallon tank. Would this be a good idea?

Next i want a stable sand envionment, but was thinking of foltration via outside the tank to save space, any recommendations?

Also want to know what kinda of good rocks I can get to start the tank with and will any do or do I have to be specific? IE can I walk around a construction site, find a huge rock wash the daylights out of it and then use it?

Of the fish I want to put in there, are they decent tankmates?

What filters and equipment is best to use for such an endeavour? I want the best on a modest budget. I am parting this together as funds alot for it, so I cant go hog wild on a tank then skimp on filters, same sentence I dont want to get some run of the mill cheap stuff and kill the tank off.

Skimmers needed?
Heaters or chillers needed?

I know this is much but IU want to build the best tank I can and make my daughter happy while doing it.

Thank you for your time

booth2010 · Apr 6, 2015

I cant remember if the minimum recomended size for adult tangs its either 150 or 180 gallons but its definetely a big one. You could keep a few babies/juveniles is a 75 but be warry about posting as the tang police will tear you up... lol

Skimmers are not 100% needed, many will say they are, but they definetely are worth the money in my opinion.
As for heaters/chillers depends on where you live, I didnt check to see. Heaters are not that expensive even for good ones so I would get one for the colder days, chillers however are expensive so if you can get away with fans and an Auto Top Off I would go that route.

Tahoe61 · Apr 6, 2015

You can not use any rock. Some rocks contain minerals that might be an issue. Remember your rock will make up a good portion of your biological filter, it should be porous. It's pretty easy to buy some dry base rock, and seed the rock with beneficial bacteria.

gemini9 · Apr 6, 2015

Keep in mind, the bigger the tank, the more money you'll have to spend. Tangs need a large tank, large enough that you may have to check on the structure of your house to make sure your floor can even hold the weight of it.

dclemm10 · Apr 7, 2015

Thank you for the tank sizing. Bumping up to a 180 is possible for me. Since i live in Dallas area the changes in temperature around the area is low. So my guess is a chiller would be more beneficial. The ideas for the tank population may be a bit much but if I have to go with a huge tank I will do so and save up for the rest as I get this

dclemm10 · Apr 7, 2015

Do you know where i can find a good 180 tank that wont bury me in chapter 11?

dclemm10 · Apr 7, 2015

Good thing i live in a single foor home with a concrete foundation. So now I know at least a 180 tank is needed. although i would be getting juevenile tangs and Imperator angel, I want them to have room to grow. I was curiouos though. Do differant types of Tangs get along? Say a Hippo and a Naso so on and so forth?