Saltwater start up

[saltydog]

Right now I have a freshwater tank....I was wondering what it would take to start a small slatwater tank....lets say 28 gallons. Do i need all of the expenmsive equipment as with bigger tanks...Would I be able to keep it basic as with freshwater tanks(power filter, hoodlight & Therm)?

Please help as I would love to start a saltwater tank. Im just afraid of the cost and complexity,

Thanks

 

[Matt W]

What do you plan to keep in the tank? Fish only? Reef?

 

[OrionGirl]

What kind of organisms do you want? If you're looking to have a couple of smaller fish, and some crabs/shrimp, you'll need a tank, some lighting, but a strip light is fine, a heater, some powerheads, live rock and live sand. A skimmer would be a good addition, but not strictly required. The rock will be the most expensive of the lot, but there are ways to cut the cost on that as well.

It's when you realize that you want an emporer angel drifting through the tank, or want corals, that it starts getting pricey, due to the size, and the cost of quality lighting.

 

[saltydog]

I basically want a fish only tank......maybe a few striped damsels, electric blue striped damsels & 1 or 2 main fish(center piece).

Dont really want to deal with anemones or coral ect.

What do you guys think?

 

[OrionGirl]

A 28 will be fine for a few small fish--but probably not for 2 damsels. A pair of percula clowns, yes--but a pair of most other damsels will make for WWWIII. They will fight until one is dead. As for a centerpiece fish---depend. Very few fish will be of an appropriate size. Maybe one of the dwarf angels, and a pair of firefish or an angel and a smaller goby would work.