minimum size tank for a salt water tank

[kade]

what do you think would be the minimum tank size for a salt water tank.
i have a 45 gallon, would this be good enough

 

[Hinds04]

many people have 2.5 gallon tanks and smaller...

 

[Gti_Leo]

i wouldn't put any fish in a 2.5 gallon though. thats way to small for any fish to be happy in

 

[kade]

So what size should I use?

 

[iDream]

Use your 45, that'll be just fine. You could go with a smaller tank, but bigger is better

 

[joy13]

The 45 is a good size to start with it is big enough that you have a margin of error that you won't have in a smaller tank. Research the fish you might want then decide if it is big enough.

 

[Fishguy2727]

If done right the 45 is fine. Here is a pic of my 45 reef:

 

[carey]

Yep, I agree a 45 would be a nice starter tank to feel it all out. I just bet you'll want a bigger one before long. LOL

 

[Purevil21]

Yes he will eventually want a bigger tank, then the mts sets in. Lol, there is no right or wrong answer to the question posed. Some people prefer nano, or even pico tanks, but it all depends on what you want to keep. That being said, your 45 is perfect for a first tank, you could build it for an economical figure and keep some fish, then determine if its a hobby you really enjoy and move up or down accordingly. Remember, the smaller you go, the more difficult the system is, because it is easy to cause large swings in your parameters. Always research livestock before you buy it, to make sure it is suitable for your system.Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Purevil21]

If done right the 45 is fine. Here is a pic of my 45 reef:

Absolutely beautiful tank.

 

[kade]

So what is a nano or pico tank ?

 

[iDream]

Nano by AA standards is a SW tank under 20G, Picos are usually less than about 6G or so.

But your tank is good, nanos and picos are harder to maintain for a first time aquarist

 

[kade]

Now I'm getting a bit ahead of myself hear. If I set it up. When I put fish in, do I but all fish at once or do I buy like a Pair of clownfish one week and next week another pair of fish. What is the best way to do it?

 

[Purevil21]

First you need to cycle the tank. I'm on my phone, so I can't link well, but there are some great articles on this website that will guide you through a fishless cycle. Once the tank is cycled, you will want to allow time for the biological filter to catch up between additions.

 

[iDream]

Yes, not all at once. That sounds like a plan, make sure you give yourself a full week

 

[kade]

How Many pounds/kilograms would I be looking at? And how much live rock

 

[kade]

How Many pounds/kilograms would I be looking at? And how much live rock

Sorry how many pounds/kilos of rock would I need. And how much live rock

 

[bigdogeder]

On a 45 about 80 lbs of rock or so would be good but the more the better in my opinion you could use a very little of actual live rock to seed the rest. Good luck.

 

[iDream]

You'll want around 1.5-2lbs of rock per gallon of water, not sure how much that is in kilos

 

[Gti_Leo]

Nano by AA standards is a SW tank under 20G, Picos are usually less than about 6G or so.

But your tank is good, nanos and picos are harder to maintain for a first time aquarist

harder to maintain yes but you also learn how to maintain it and its not as expensive to learn on a smaller one