Want to start a SW

zave2340 said:

Here is what i need from you people on the forum

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How'd you get to be so sweet?

zave2340 said:

A) What kinda of filter for SW (can i use a Aqua Clear mini or something?)

B) What size of tank (Can i use a 5 gallon or something bigger?)

C) Do i have to have live rock, If so, why and how much (amount)?

D) Substrante for the tank should be, and how do i clean the substrate. If sand, can i use a gravel vac?

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B = Minimum tank size should be 20 gallons IMO, this fish is very active and gets to be 4 Inches approx in aquariums.

D = Yes you can g'vac sand, you just hover above the sand rather than stir it up.

A- Yes
Not a 10g, too small
D- Live or normal sand?

I would have to agree that a 10g is small, but it has certainly been done. I think it is a bit curel for the fish but there are other kinds of fish that would be ok in a 10g. Not a clown however. Try a fire fish or two or something like that.

live rock is certainly the best way to go. There isn't a precise ammount that you need but alot is good,"the more the better". If you have lr however, you need a skimmer unless you will be changing alot of water often. if you decide not to go with a skimmer, then get a little lr, but atleast get some.

a)Well, the bigger the better for a first s.w. set up. You could manage a percula in a 10 gal but, you couldn't have any more fish at all. Also in order for this to really work well you'd have to do some pretty frequent large water changes to keep your water parameters in line.
b) no
c) I would get about 1.5 to 2 lbs per gallon depending on the density of the rock. It's really the best filter you can have for a s.w. tank IMO . I wouldn't use any mechanical filtration at all just a power head ,"at least 10 x turn over per hour and more is much better," the l.r and water changes. Don't buy live sand it's a huge rip off IMO regular old sand will quickly become l.s. after you introduce the l.r. Whats a new tank with out the required sand storm post anyway .
c) you probably won't need a vac but, as long as you're not digging into the sand bed go right ahead.

A skimmer is used to pull organic materials out of the water. It's sort of like an ultra fine filter for disoleved organics. When is it used? Well thats sort of debatables (or at least I've seen quite a bit of debate on it) but personaly I would say any time your doing saltwater.