WANTED: Saltwater Fish

My 20 gallon saltwater tank just finished cycling and I would like to get a reef setup. The problem is I can barely come up with money to buy equipment (lighting, filters, skimmers, etc.) and the fish prices at my [acronym:ba229af427="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:ba229af427] are ridiculously high (well for me at least...). If anyone here has any saltwater fish that would be appropriate for a 20 gallon tank, I will gladly take them off your hands for you. Tank bred or captive bred, does not matter.

I am only 16 and am not doing this with the monetary support of my family (well, every once in a while I can squeeze out some $$$ for the "cause"). So if I can maybe get some free (<-- such an awesome word) livestock, that would help the "cause".

The One and Only (I hope so),

$imple

(I know, I use a lot of parenthesis).....

[William]

If you can't afford to give it the care it needs, perhaps you should just reside yourself to fresh water for the time being?

I'm not that low on money. The problem isn't that I don't have the money to take care of it. I have the money to take care of it. I buy supplies regularly. But what I don't have money for is currently stocking the tank because it will cost me well over $100. That money I am hoping to spend on upgrades. I have all the necessary equipment to keep fish and supplies. I am saving up my money for items such as better lights (coral capable). My parents do give me enough money to make sure my fish stay alive and healthy. But they won't take the extra step for optional upgrades. That's what I am trying to focus on. Besides I am trying to save their money for when I really need it for the fish. [acronym:a27ee09f95="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:a27ee09f95], I need to get a job.

I just thought I could get some fish. I am not a poor bum on the street who carries a fish tank in a shopping cart. My fish are happy (except for my damsel, I think it's got emotional problems, it's long time friend died), they are well-fed (not over fed), and if a time comes when I can't take good care of them, I will find them a good home (hopefully that time will never come)

So if anyone has an overstocked tank or just had some tank bred critters or something, send a PM my way.

$imple

[MattP725]

A. The most you will probably get donated is either some [acronym:984edc3cfd="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:984edc3cfd] mollies or damsels. The damsels are typically nasty so that limits your expansion (not that you can fit much in a 20g anyways).
B. Even though you may be getting away cheap at the moment with bare minimum stuff you will eventually run into issues like lighting with a reef which will cost a pretty penny as well as the constant need of salt and testing supplies which also gets up there if you add it up.
I am not trying to discourage you from doing it... I am also on a semi limited budget which makes it hard to buy the latest and greatest but it is all about limiting yourself to what you can afford. Obviously you wouldn't even consider going reef until you have the lighting and flow issues taken care of. If I were you I would just stick with a couple damsels or such until you could fund better equipment and possible a larger tank. I am sure you could get some people to donate some of their "cycle" fish.

[nyghtone]

I'm sending you my blue damsel on monday, so it should get there monday or tuesday. It's in VERY good health, with perfect fins, and a very vibrant color, so it should survive the trip just fine.

Hope you enjoy him, he's mean to my Molly!!!!!!!!!!!

Joshua...

[nyghtone]

um, tuesday or wednesday, my bad, haha

sorry, joshua...

[acronym:5ee294a999="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:5ee294a999] no problem.

Concerning my equipment, I made a giant leap in the beginning and made sure I had everything I needed. Not the bare minimum. That's what drained me. I'm saving up for a reef tank. Lighting is now my main issue. Everything else I can handle once I get some lights. Right now my lights are decent but I don't think they are good enough for corals and a reef tank.

I just thought some people have extra fish from overstocking or breeding. I'm not desperate for fish but just letting you know that I'll take them.

Ok I think I put too much info in my first post. Let's put it this way. I have way more than the bare minimum to keep a fish only tank. Reef and Corals is my next step.