Preparing to bring a clownfish home

[Clownface]

Hello, first post. Glad to be here. I’ll be purchasing a clownfish from the nearby pet shop. I already have an aquarium. It measures L20”x W13x H17. I have absolutely no experience when it comes to saltwater aquariums. I do have some freshwater experience. I’m guessing that saltwater tanks require more effort.

My first question is: where should I start. I guess you can say I’m nesting. I want to have everything ready for the fish before I bring it home. Thanks much.

 

[ndrwater]

Know that cycling a tank is similar to freshwater. So go slow. Best advice I can give.
Have everything up and running before the fish come home.
Stability is key. Don't chase numbers. Read lots and post up any questions you may have. Lots of people here to help.
And.. #WelcometoR2R !!

 

[Billldg]

I agree with @ndrwater on everything he said. Read up a lot and ask all the question you want. Definitely have the tank cycled before you add any fish, know you salinity and temp and make sure you calibrate your refractometer, because it may be new, but that doesn't mean its accurate until you calibrate it. Congrats on the new tank.

Welcome to R2R and the salty side!!!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to R2R!!! Best advice is to take it sloooowww!

Like this kind of slow--

Also, if you haven't already reviewed this article then I recommend that you read this R2R article:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Edp251]

Hi Welcome to R2R!

Great advice so far. These may also help. They are from 2 of my favorite sources.



Best of luck and do not hesitate to ask questions.

Cheers!

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!

Cycling an Aquarium

Cycling a new aquarium. One of the earliest topics a new aquarium hobbyist needs to learn is how to properly cycle their aquarium. There is a ton of information on this process and many different methods on how to accomplish it. There are many different chemical and biological cycles our tank...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Katrina71]

Your clownfish will act really weird. Don't freak out!

 

[punkieg0]

Like someone else said clownfish are weird. They will act like they have died or are near death, laying on the sand, floating near the overflow..they will stress you out. And once you feel like they have met their demise they will perk up and start swimming like nothing happened.
But they are also full of personality and are great fish!

 

[Peace River]

Your clownfish will act really weird. Don't freak out!

Lol. True. ;Hilarious

Clowns are awesome but weird.

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!

 

[Stege_saurus]

Hello, first post. Glad to be here. I’ll be purchasing a clownfish from the nearby pet shop. I already have an aquarium. It measures L20”x W13x H17. I have absolutely no experience when it comes to saltwater aquariums. I do have some freshwater experience. I’m guessing that saltwater tanks require more effort.

My first question is: where should I start. I guess you can say I’m nesting. I want to have everything ready for the fish before I bring it home. Thanks much.

The BRS (Bulk Reef Supply) YouTube channel is a great way to learn just about anything you want about setting up, maintaining and upgrading a saltwater tank. They have a series called "52 Weeks of Reefing" and they go over everything from the basics to the more adept aspects of the hobby. Check them out for sure! You won't regret it!

 

[BeejReef]

If u have a glass box full of saltwater and a little cycled rock or bottled bacteria with flow, good chance your fish will live.
It's so hard that way though... lol. By far preferable to have your water source, testing kits, and basic set up how you want it first.

Once there's alive stuff in the tank, your "easy" options for fixing chemical or hardware issues go down fast and get a lot more expensive.

 

[j.falk]

@mcarroll