Good or bad idea?

Aug 3, 2007
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Indiana
While i am deciding on what kind of tank and equipment i should get for my SW tank (such as what kind of nano cube im going to get and what i need to do to improve it), I think im going to get a 5 gallon FW tank to see if i am really comitted. If i am then i will go ahead and buy a SW aquarium. I just thought if i wasnt comitted then i just waisted at least 400$ of my money i made this summer. Plus i really want a crowntail betta with some neon tetras to go with it.
 
Neons usually need a larger tank than 5G because they are schooling fish and active. Personally, I don't really like neons. They are beautiful to view but their survival rate is very low for long periods of time due to inbreeding. Deaths can have a horrible effect on your tank if you don't catch them right away and build up toxic chemicals. But thats just my view. I am sure many people can say differently. A betta sounds perfect though.

As for cost. If you want to save a lot of money you can try craigslist. Most 5G tanks (ones at petco) with the complete equipement cost $25-40 depending upon brand and supplies. However I have seen so many frequent great deals on craigslist. Most common is a 10G with everything included for $20 (sometimes they throw in the stand too).

As for buying a 5G Tank to see if you are dedicated I think it is an okay idea. But a little bit unrealistic. You can't really compare the upkeep and maintenance of a large saltwater tank to a 5G freshwater tank with a betta. But you can avoid wasting money by planning ahead. I think its great that you don't want to rush into things.
 
and yea your prolly right the care for a betta and tetras are not comparable to a SW fish/reef now that i think about it. I have been planning ahead though. I have wanted to buy a fish tank for more than 2 weeks now and i have bought books and restrained myself. I think its getting close to when i buy my SW aquarium and get started. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel
 
maybe ill just get a crowntail betta cuz i want to in like a mini 2.5 gallon:grinyes:

lol maybe I read that wrong, but did you just say you want two bettas in a 2.5G?

I am sure a betta would be fine a 2.5G, but I bet he would appreciate the 5G more xD

I noticed you want to get a 10G-20G saltwater tank? Thats actually considered Nano Marine Tank sizes. Is it going to be a reef tank (with corals) or fish only?
 
and yea your prolly right the care for a betta and tetras are not comparable to a SW fish/reef now that i think about it. I have been planning ahead though. I have wanted to buy a fish tank for more than 2 weeks now and i have bought books and restrained myself. I think its getting close to when i buy my SW aquarium and get started. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel

Glad you to see you read ahead :) Planning ahead for specific equipment/fish is the best thing to do. I would go out to pet stores and just look at fish/corals (no buying xD). That way you have an idea of what fish/corals your local pet stores carry and you can avoid impulse buying in the future when you actually get your tank.
 
lol maybe I read that wrong, but did you just say you want two bettas in a 2.5G?

I am sure a betta would be fine a 2.5G, but I bet he would appreciate the 5G more xD

I noticed you want to get a 10G-20G saltwater tank? Thats actually considered Nano Marine Tank sizes. Is it going to be a reef tank (with corals) or fish only?
I said one betta lol
Yea he would appreciate a 5 gallon more probably lol
I know its called a nano reef
Its going to have about 10-15 lbs. of LR and some beginner corals like mushrooms and zoas and thats it oh and my favorite fish in the world an orange firefish. :grinyes: Also an osc clown or gramma, clown goby, a blenny of some sort, and a feather duster.
as well as an assorted clean up crew ofcourse
 
Grins, I know I'm stealing your thunder here but... ;)
Here is a good thread to things you want to consider buying when going SW:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118995&highlight=dirty+guide

And yes, it's very good that you are planning ahead. Plan way ahead, into the future too just incase you want to upgrade later on. I wish I would have planned better. Would have saved me money in the long run :D
 
Grins, I know I'm stealing your thunder here but... ;)
Here is a good thread to things you want to consider buying when going SW:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118995&highlight=dirty+guide

And yes, it's very good that you are planning ahead. Plan way ahead, into the future too just incase you want to upgrade later on. I wish I would have planned better. Would have saved me money in the long run :D
ive read that link about twice through already lol :grinyes: And i cant upgrade in the near future because in 2 yrs its off to college and they only allow 20 gallon tank max
 
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