New to the hobby looking for advice!

[Luka]

Sorry to say but a clownfish aren't hardy. They're hardy yes but during the first stages of a tank even after the "beginning" cycle. They don't do well for ammonia. They'll just stress out and die the next morning. Get 1 damsel, they'll survive anything. You can get 1 two striped damsel, they're aggressive towards other damsels but hey you can either buy the damsel for the cycling process and give it back. ( that's kinda mean don't do that. ) or you can but a damsel and after 1 week and a half add 1 fish and so on.

Thanks, what are the best matches for a damsel fish?

 

[Cleo642]

Parrot fish mouth haha

It looks like someone painted their face. Lol

 

[Cleo642]

Thanks, what are the best matches for a damsel fish?

None, they can be terrors. I have not started my tank yet but have heard and so much from others. Read the first four comments off this screenshot. Lol

 

[melypr1985]

Thanks, How is this for the lighting...http://www.amazon.com/All-Glass-Aqu...6228&sr=1-2&keywords=10+gallon+lighting+20+in

This would be better. The ones you are picking are cheap, yes, but they aren't meant for corals. they are meant for fresh water tanks. If you never want to do corals then the light really doesn't matter. It's best to plan for the end game so your not buying equipment twice. Always get the best you can afford so you don't have to replace it later. With this one, you could at least have some easy, low light corals like mushrooms, some zoas, leathers and such.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife..._Fixtures-Coralife-ES08600-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

And please do not buy a damsel if you don't WANT it. They are all mean at some point and will harass your other fish. If your cycle is truly done then you wont have ammonia to worry about.... at least if your stocking your tank responsibly then you wont lose your first fish to ammonia. Clownfish are great first fish because they are hardy and aren't likely to die on you in a new tank.

 

[Cleo642]

This would be better. The ones you are picking are cheap, yes, but they aren't meant for corals. they are meant for fresh water tanks. If you never want to do corals then the light really doesn't matter. It's best to plan for the end game so your not buying equipment twice. Always get the best you can afford so you don't have to replace it later. With this one, you could at least have some easy, low light corals like mushrooms, some zoas, leathers and such.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife..._Fixtures-Coralife-ES08600-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

And please do not buy a damsel if you don't WANT it. They are all mean at some point and will harass your other fish. If your cycle is truly done then you wont have ammonia to worry about.... at least if your stocking your tank responsibly then you wont lose your first fish to ammonia. Clownfish are great first fish because they are hardy and aren't likely to die on you in a new tank.

Hey, melypr1985. How have you been?

 

[melypr1985]

Hey, melypr1985. How have you been?

Doing good Cleo! Good to see ya!

 

[Cleo642]

Doing good Cleo! Good to see ya!

Thanks been a whie.lol

 

[Luka]

Bump...more ideas and tips would be great!

 

[DeniseAndy]

Welcome! I love to hear people starting in the hobby. Sounds like you have done some research, that is great! Ask lots of questions and take it slow. You will run into problems and make mistakes, we all do. We are here to help.

Your tank:
All in ones are a great way to start as long as you do your due diligence on maintenance. There are 11g, 5g, 4g, 14g, all are pretty good. Make sure if you get an all in one you get one to handle marine coral. I like JBJ ones a lot. Usually you can find some second hand with mods in the hood for leds. Look around a bit for those.

Also, agree that a hydrometer is not the way to go. Just splurge on a simple refractometer. This will serve you much better.

I am not a fan of API test kits. However, for ammonia they are fine. I would look into red sea or some individual salifert or elos tests.

Heaters are usually heaters, but make sure they can be controlled somehow. Meaning you set the temp, not standard set by the manufacturer. (similar to the one you linked is fine)

Do not get live rock simply because of cost and the hassle of die off and such, unless you are getting it from a reef keeper near you and simply changing tanks. Otherwise, stick to dry rock and cycle yourself. Much cheaper and easier to shape before you put in the tank. Lots of options, but depends on your preference for aquascaping.

I would try to find a reef keeper near you to get a bit of live sand from (1/2 cup) and then use dry sand. This live sand donation will begin the process just fine. Also, keep in mind that lots of sand can be a real hassle in a small system. IMO only put a dusting of it on the bottom, not more than 1/2 in or so. That is unless you want a ton of sand for aquascape reasons.

If you get a nano skimmer in the all in one types, you should not need the bubbler, but you will need an airpump and airstones to run them. I have DIY tiny PS for 11 gallon in past. Simple and cheap!

Good luck and post pics!

 

[DeniseAndy]

Oh, I never cycle with animals. Just let the tank cycle without anything. No lights, no animals, just throw in a bit of flake food to begin an ammonia spike and you will be fine.

Damsels are terrors. I love my little azure damsel, but it resides in my frag tank and sump area only. No other friends for it. If you want a clown, wait until you tank is stable and then think about animals.

 

[Luka]

Thanks for the help guys this is what I came up with after all the new information and tips. Let me know what you guys think...if I am missing anything. Thanks again!!


http://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-06080-...d=1442287001&sr=1-1&keywords=10+gallon+filter $10


http://www.amazon.com/ViaAqua-50-Watt-Quartz-Submersible-Thermostat/dp/B005440HLO/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1442287251&sr=1-2&keywords=10+gallon+heater&refinements=p_36:-1500 $14.68



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NK0/ref=twister_B00CI6TO6A?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 $11.26

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-...TF8&qid=1442430204&sr=1-6&keywords=hydrometer $23.99


http://www.amazon.com/API-Saltwater...1442287627&sr=1-1&keywords=saltwater+test+kit $21.62


http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Koralia...&qid=1442288360&sr=1-1&keywords=powerhead+240 $22.13


http://www.petsmart.com/gsi/webstore/WFS/PETNA-PETUS-Site/en_US/-/USD/ViewProduct-Start?utm_medium=affiliate&camp=LINK_AD:ZET&CategoryID=SV0KmUCQqRUAAAFDoidUeFk3&utm_campaign=affiliatetraffic&utm_source=je6NUbpObpQ&SKU=36-17595&SITEID=je6NUbpObpQ-NaqST4pYzG3qO0JvvR9zbQ $29.99


http://www.amazon.com/AquaMaxx-Eco-...F8&qid=1442367500&sr=1-2&keywords=dry+rock+10 $26.49


http://www.amazon.com/CaribSea-Supe...1442288636&sr=1-6&keywords=aquarium+substrate $5.91


http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...r=8-1&keywords=bubbler+aquarium&condition=new $12.30


http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Airl...-25-Feet/dp/B0002563MW/ref=pd_bxgy_199_text_y $4.45


http://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-06170-...69257&sr=8-2&keywords=aquarium+cleaner+magnet $7


http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Energy-Savers-ACL54210-Compact/dp/B000256EMQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424831991&sr=8-2&keywords=coralife+50/50+20w x2 $31.4





http://www.amazon.com/Hikari-Usa-AH...id=1442367824&sr=8-1&keywords=pellet+marine+s $6.75

Total $227.99

 

[Dextereef]

welcome! going through the links. I'll post my thoughts in a few

 

[DeniseAndy]

Love Hikari products. My fish like them too.

For a beginner, this is a fine set up. Get your feet wet and learn the balance of parameters. The salt is fine for a fish only and even some soft corals, but if you decide to tread into LPS or SPS, you will want to change to a reef orientated salt. I used that salt fine with fish only tanks.

I would stick to very low light corals in the beginning when you go that route. Mushrooms would grow great in the tank. Referring to the light only. They are beautiful too.

For a clown, I would find a captive bred little baby. Then you can watch it grow. Ocellaris species are usually readily available and really fun. Lots of varieties.

 

[Luka]

Thanks DeniseAndy!! Really helpful, now I think I can confidently get everything! Thanks everyone And yes I was thinking about getting a clown fish, if I want to grow mushrooms can I still use that same salt??

 

[DeniseAndy]

depends on shroom, but the basic discosoma genus you definitely can.

 

[Amit Kumar]

None, they can be terrors. I have not started my tank yet but have heard and so much from others. Read the first four comments off this screenshot. Lol

oh they got aggressive damsels they fight with each other but never with other fishes . id go for more peaceful damsels, ,i agree yellow tail and 2 and 3 striped damsels arent the best ive had them with no harm done, but you can get a chromis, but id put in 1 since your tank innt as big. its a ten gallon? and you can add fire fire , watchman goby, or a clownfish or 2. and much more.

 

[Amit Kumar]

Thanks DeniseAndy!! Really helpful, now I think I can confidently get everything! Thanks everyone And yes I was thinking about getting a clown fish, if I want to grow mushrooms can I still use that same salt??

youd need reef salt. alittle more expensive but hey, the after affects are amazing xD

 

[Luka]

depends on shroom, but the basic discosoma genus you definitely can.

Thanks again guys! Do I need reef salt for the shrooms aswell??

 

[DeniseAndy]

not necessarily for those genus either. They are not as demanding, plus like dirtier water (slang for more nitrates and phosphates).

 

[Amit Kumar]

It depends on what genus you would be getting. Which one are you thinking of?...