Intro to Salt

Corey Shelk · Mar 5, 2018

Hi I'm looking to get started in the saltwater community and I'm just going to start small. I'm thinking either a 10 gallon (if it's big enough) or I can use a 20 gal standard or 20 gal long. I was looking into getting a firefish, royal gramma, and yellow
watchman goby if those could all fit into a 10 gal and be happy or the 20. And could any of you also give me advice for the cleaner crew? I've heard about the pistol shrimp/YWG combo which is would love to have also. Thank you! Or I might just even do a 10 gal with just a YWG/PS or maybe a firefish and YWG/PS. Any advice?

Corey Shelk · Mar 5, 2018

Sorry I just realized I posted twice, if someone could delete this post and keep the other one that would be great, thank you

deedubz · Mar 6, 2018

Welcome!

I'd recommend getting the biggest tank you can fit in the space you're putting it in. I say this for a couple reasons.. The more volume, the more wiggle room you'll have in keeping your water parameters in check. If you're set on those 3 fish then I'd recommend at least the 20. It'll give everyone their own space to occupy. I've never had a firefish but I think I read they are jumpers. I have a couple, and intend on getting several more, wrasses and had to make a screen top. You'll want to make a top to keep him in. Honestly, any fish can jump. My buddy lost his 3" female clown to carpet surfing. I've never had a gramma but I think they're pretty docile?

The goby/pistol shrimp is one of my favorite things to watch/hear. I've had a few pairs in the couple of tanks I've owned and it never gets old. Some watchman gobies get pretty big though and I think the yellows are amongst them. My buddy had a massive 4-5" ywg that was pretty feisty with ALL other occupants in his 29g bowfront. Randall's shrimp gobies, hi fins, and a number of others stay small enough to be content in a 10-20g though.

Corey Shelk · Mar 6, 2018

Do you think it's common for YWG to get that big? I thought they only get around 3"

reef lover · Mar 6, 2018

Welcome to the salt life!!

Logan A. · Mar 6, 2018

I've read different things on the subject of how much fish you can have in a tank So far the rule that I follow GENERALLY and this varies and you need to take into account literal water volume (water present after the subtraction of rocks etc) but an inch of fish to two gallons of water seems to be about right.

deedubz · Mar 6, 2018

Corey Shelk said:
Do you think it's common for YWG to get that big? I thought they only get around 3"

That's what I'd read too. I don't know if his was some freak or not but he/she was huge.

Jesterrace · Mar 6, 2018

@The OP, I would go with the 20 Long. Your corals will be better off with the shallower depth in terms of lighting and your fish will be more appreciative of that 30 inch horizontal swimming length than from height. I would say all 3 of those would be fine in that tank, although the Royal Gramma might be a jerk to the firefish (they can be territorial/aggressive at times). You definitely want the biggest tank your budget/space can handle. Evaporation, Water Perameters, etc. become much bigger factors with smaller water displacement.

Corey Shelk · Mar 7, 2018

Logan A. said:
I've read different things on the subject of how much fish you can have in a tank So far the rule that I follow GENERALLY and this varies and you need to take into account literal water volume (water present after the subtraction of rocks etc) but an inch of fish to two gallons of water seems to be about right.

That seems like a fair rule, thank you

Corey Shelk · Mar 7, 2018

Jesterrace said:
@The OP, I would go with the 20 Long. Your corals will be better off with the shallower depth in terms of lighting and your fish will be more appreciative of that 30 inch horizontal swimming length than from height. I would say all 3 of those would be fine in that tank, although the Royal Gramma might be a jerk to the firefish (they can be territorial/aggressive at times). You definitely want the biggest tank your budget/space can handle. Evaporation, Water Perameters, etc. become much bigger factors with smaller water displacement.

Ok thank you, I honestly just want to provide myself with a nice little intro tank that would be able to allow these species to thrive. If the RG becomes a pain I would probably be able to return it

Corey Shelk · Mar 7, 2018

reef lover said:
Welcome to the salt life!!

Thank you! I'm excited to start

Ruben's Reef · Mar 7, 2018

!!! Welcome to R2R, Corey !!! I was thinking at the beginning on a 20L but after searching I went with a 40g Breeder from Petco at a $1 per gallon sale. Reason, more water volume and a little more room for couple of fish. Now I'm thinking to get a 75g or bigger and I'm only on my 4 month with this tank.

Corey Shelk · Mar 7, 2018

spyder813 said:
!!! Welcome to R2R, Corey !!! I was thinking at the beginning on a 20L but after searching I went with a 40g Breeder from Petco at a $1 per gallon sale. Reason, more water volume and a little more room for couple of fish. Now I'm thinking to get a 75g or bigger and I'm only on my 4 month with this tank.

Haha yeah I'm afraid that would happen to me. In a year or two I will have my parents 60 gallon so I might convert that to salt depending on how this goes