Hi, like most of us on this webpage, I loved salt water my whole life. I was afraid of the hobby b/c it seems so confusing in terms of tank set up. I am limited on space and want to know if it is possible to put together a 30 gal tank that would hold clown fish, anemonies and shrimp. Secondly I would like to be educated on what type of tank residence I am limited too do to the small size of the tank. Finally, I see on the TV show Tanked that they set up, fill and add fish all on the day of installation. Is that even possible for my situation. Thanks in advance for all your gr8 help. Trish
Newbie and needs edu
- Thread starter TrishWood
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30 gallons is plenty for a couple clownfish, anem and shrimp. As for other fish. I usually follow the 1" per 10 gallons rule. But some marine fish like angels and tangs may not get huge but require a decent sized tank. And as for the add fish on the same day. It's possible if you're using a fully cycle tank already with rocks and and water from another tank. But still going for a same day add is really risky.
helen ann
7500 Club Member
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Welcome! I really can't offer much advise other than NO NO NO on just watching Tanked and think that you can do that! I am a newbie and while I did some things right I did more things WRONG!!! I joined the forum on a high note about a week ago and about 36 hrs after my first post things went bad ... real bad! You can read my little journey here ... https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/newbie-obsessed-with-her-coralife-biocube-29.230758/
I am in the process of starting again and this time will be much much better as I have spent the last week reading and more reading and asking questions ... will continue reading and asking questions! I am so scared to start again but this time it will be a much slower process.
Good Luck!!!
I am in the process of starting again and this time will be much much better as I have spent the last week reading and more reading and asking questions ... will continue reading and asking questions! I am so scared to start again but this time it will be a much slower process.
Good Luck!!!
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nervousmonkey
LPS Lover, SPS Enabler
Howdy Trish! Welcome to R2R! First of all, don't be confused by the hobby. There are a lot of ways to get the same thing accomplished, and you'll learn along the way what works for you. Also, keep asking questions like this, there are a lot of amazing people here with some incredible knowledge.
In answer to your questions, yes, you can house all of those three animals in one 30 gallon, although research a LOT before you acquire the animals. There are so many different types of compatible species as well as incompatible ones.
In answer to Tanked, you'll probably hear a lot of people make fun of the way those guys set up a tank. Short answer is yes, you "can" set up a tank that way, but the much preferred method is to cycle your tank so you know it's ready in the long term. What Tanked does is set up a tank then have a maintenance company come in after the show to take care of the tank. There may be a lot of dead animals after the show is over, who knows... It is not a preferred method of setting up a tank, although it can be done.
Long and short of that method is to use live sand, REAL live rock that's been cured and finally, testing it all with ammonia in a 24 hour test to determine if the tank can convert ammonia to nitrites to nitrates within 24 hours. Additionally, those guys aren't adding anemones or live coral to their systems, and a fish only system can handle a bit more abuse than a reef tank. BUT, that being said, don't do it. It's hard enough being new at the hobby with everything else to learn to add in a trick that vets will use to get a new tank running from an old system they've had in place.... Just research how to cycle a tank, be patient because cycling a new tank will take weeks to a couple of months, cycle your tank, test it, and then know for sure that your tank is safe to add animals.
Sooooo, all in all, yes, you can do what you have asked about, but research first, know that anemones do not like new tanks and probably won't survive...
Finally, [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] to the rescue!!
These guys and girls will help you out big time. Wait... Wait... Wait...
In answer to your questions, yes, you can house all of those three animals in one 30 gallon, although research a LOT before you acquire the animals. There are so many different types of compatible species as well as incompatible ones.
In answer to Tanked, you'll probably hear a lot of people make fun of the way those guys set up a tank. Short answer is yes, you "can" set up a tank that way, but the much preferred method is to cycle your tank so you know it's ready in the long term. What Tanked does is set up a tank then have a maintenance company come in after the show to take care of the tank. There may be a lot of dead animals after the show is over, who knows... It is not a preferred method of setting up a tank, although it can be done.
Long and short of that method is to use live sand, REAL live rock that's been cured and finally, testing it all with ammonia in a 24 hour test to determine if the tank can convert ammonia to nitrites to nitrates within 24 hours. Additionally, those guys aren't adding anemones or live coral to their systems, and a fish only system can handle a bit more abuse than a reef tank. BUT, that being said, don't do it. It's hard enough being new at the hobby with everything else to learn to add in a trick that vets will use to get a new tank running from an old system they've had in place.... Just research how to cycle a tank, be patient because cycling a new tank will take weeks to a couple of months, cycle your tank, test it, and then know for sure that your tank is safe to add animals.
Sooooo, all in all, yes, you can do what you have asked about, but research first, know that anemones do not like new tanks and probably won't survive...
Finally, [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] to the rescue!!
These guys and girls will help you out big time. Wait... Wait... Wait...
rayn
Bluefin Believer
Welcome to R2R!
A 30 is plenty for clowns, coral, and say a bubble nem...in time. Don't be confused, read threads here, ask questions, and begin the journey! Amazing people here will help you along the way, and if you have the patience to follow and learn you can and will have a amazing tank. You don't have to have the latest and greatest gadgets, but a few simple tools will make your journey more enjoyable.
Don't use tap water! Either spend the money on distilled water or get a ro/di. You could get it from the lfs, but who knows their water quality. Water is the number one in this hobby. Keep your water clean goes a long way. 30 doesn't "need" a sump and you could go hand on back (HOB) skimmer or power filter.
Let your tank cycle! Don't add water, rock, sand, and fish all in one day. There are products in a bottle to help speed the cycle, but I prefer the old way of shrimp and letting the ammonia do its job. You can search and decide the best course for yourself.
Once cycled tank it slow! Every time you add a new fish or coral you change the system. Either by adding more bio load from fish or new supplement uptake from corals. Adding to many to quick puts a strain on your parameters.
ABOVE ALL QUARANTINE! Quarantine everything. Nothing like having your awesome tank and watching it die off because you rushed putting a fish or coral in. A small 10 gallon will be sufficient for most things.
Good luck and ask away, we are all here to help!
A 30 is plenty for clowns, coral, and say a bubble nem...in time. Don't be confused, read threads here, ask questions, and begin the journey! Amazing people here will help you along the way, and if you have the patience to follow and learn you can and will have a amazing tank. You don't have to have the latest and greatest gadgets, but a few simple tools will make your journey more enjoyable.
Don't use tap water! Either spend the money on distilled water or get a ro/di. You could get it from the lfs, but who knows their water quality. Water is the number one in this hobby. Keep your water clean goes a long way. 30 doesn't "need" a sump and you could go hand on back (HOB) skimmer or power filter.
Let your tank cycle! Don't add water, rock, sand, and fish all in one day. There are products in a bottle to help speed the cycle, but I prefer the old way of shrimp and letting the ammonia do its job. You can search and decide the best course for yourself.
Once cycled tank it slow! Every time you add a new fish or coral you change the system. Either by adding more bio load from fish or new supplement uptake from corals. Adding to many to quick puts a strain on your parameters.
ABOVE ALL QUARANTINE! Quarantine everything. Nothing like having your awesome tank and watching it die off because you rushed putting a fish or coral in. A small 10 gallon will be sufficient for most things.
Good luck and ask away, we are all here to help!
Welcome. 
You've received great advice thus far.
You might want to look at a plug and play tank, otherwise known as all in one tank (AIO). Personally I prefer the JBJ tanks, but Biocube, Nuvo are all good tanks. They come with the lighting already in place, filtration and pumps at an affordable price.
Window shop at the link below.
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquariums-aquarium-stands.html
Two clowns and an anemone will work in all these systems.
You've received great advice thus far.You might want to look at a plug and play tank, otherwise known as all in one tank (AIO). Personally I prefer the JBJ tanks, but Biocube, Nuvo are all good tanks. They come with the lighting already in place, filtration and pumps at an affordable price.
Window shop at the link below.
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquariums-aquarium-stands.html
Two clowns and an anemone will work in all these systems.
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HI, thanks for the info. I already feel like a part of a great community. Can I mix live reef occupants with fake aqua-scaping. I am thinking that if I can do that it will appease my impulsiveness and give the aquarium a good pop of color right away and take out the fake as I can add in live residence.
Thanks for the great information. I already feel like a part of a great community. Can I mix fake aqua-scaping with live and then replace the fake as I can. I think that might help me be more patient with adding residents to my tank.. As I get it going.
ALso, ro/di.....I found out that ro is reverse osmosis but what does the DI stand for. And what does acro stand for when people say they love acro? This is how much of a neophyte I really am.
nervousmonkey
LPS Lover, SPS Enabler
DI is deionization or deionized water. Just takes the rest of the crap out of the water to get it to zero pollutants. Or total dissolved solids (TDS). Acro stands for acropora, which is a common but difficult to keep coral for a neophyte. Part of a grouping of corals that hobbyists lump together as SPS (small polyped stony) corals. Just stick with anything non SPS for now. You'll learn and you'll be keeping acros soon enough!
DI stands for deionization. It's an extra step in the process to rid the water of even more bad things. You can put fake stuff in the tank, just be sure it's saltwater safe you don't want it to break down in the tank. And acro is short for acropora. It's a type of coral
To add onto what the other guy said. SPS is small polyp stony. (Acropora,montipora etc) stay with LPS for now they are easier to care for. LPS is large polyp stony, they include most of the corals. Hammers, Duncan's, Kenya trees, chalices <---- they look almost near identical to SPS if that's the type of look you want chalice is a good alternative)
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