Starting a saltwater tank

Question
QUESTION: Hi, im 14 and i have a ten gallon aquarium. I know its very small but id like to ask if it will work for a saltwater aquarium or even a reef aquarium. It was used before as a freshwater tank but we moved and i had to get rid of the fish. (i gave them to a friend). I have a filter, fake plants, gravel, water circulator thing, and bubble stones. I would like to know if it is possible to have a saltwater tank with the equipment i have, and which fish would do best in the small conditions. Also, if there is anything i need to buy, please let me know. I could probably spend up to 200 dollars. The main reason for wanting a saltwater tank is that the colors of life are amazing. Of course, anybody who saw finding Nemo is probably exactly like me. Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Alex,

you could do a salt water tank.  In my opinion you could not do a reef tank because the tank is too small and your budget is too for a reef.

You will need
1.Tank 10 gallon
2. lighting  fluorescent about 3 to 5 watts per gallon
3 Filter (you have)
4. 5 to 10-pounds of base live rock.  It must be cured ask when you buy it.  This will cost around 3.99 per pound.
5.  live sand 3 pounds about 2.99 per pound
6  Pre-mixed salt water is the best option for you it costs around 11.00 for 10 gallons.
7. salt water test kit ammonia, pH,nitrite,nitrate
8 . heater
9. water circulator ( you have)
10. hydrometer to measure salinity.
11 bucket, net , fish food

This will get you started. The tank needs to be cycled I will help you through that phase( this takes about 3 weeks).  Look into a salt water hobbyist book.  Once this is done I will let you know the best fish for your set-up.

good luck
Todd

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, thank you. I couldnt find any live rock or sand at any store where i live. I cant find a good light either, the best i can get is 1.5 watts per gallon, is this okay? So, i set up the fish tank the way i liked it, washed gravel, decor, filter, air stones, and i filled it with water from the tap. I then put in a new carbon filter cartridge to filter out chlorine, ect. So i bought salt mix because i couldnt find premixed water. Should i just mix it in the tank or do i have to take out all the water again? I also got a heater and hydrometer and master test kit. Thank you for your help. I think im ready to start cycling now so if you could just answer my questions that would be cool. Thank you.
ANSWER:
Hello,

Yes take the water out of the tank in mix it with the salt water mix.  You need a salinity of 1.023-1.025.  After mixing let the water sit with an air stone in it.  This way the salt will completely dissolve.  I would take the gravel out as well.  You can buy live rock and live sand on line as well.  You do not really need gravel in your tank.

Once this is done put salt water back in tank.  Make sure the salinity is right and temp is about 77-79 degrees.  Check all water chemistries.  PH should be 8.0-8.1  nitrate should be around 0.  Ammonia and nitrite may be a bit high but that's because you are cycling your tank.  Buy 2 fish called blue damsels they are very hardy and they will cycle your tank. It will take about 6 -8 weeks.  Perform a 10% water change every 2 weeks (with new salt water).  Once Ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, nitrate around 20 parts per million.  Your tank will be completely cycled.  Then you can add some new fish.  Such as a clown fish.  If you need any more info let me know.

Good luck
Todd

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again. I couldnt find a container big enough to mix the water in so i just mixed it in the tank, is that ok? I checked the specific gravity and it is off the charts high. I mixed the water with the right amount of salt though, does the salt just need time to dissolve? Wouldnt it be cruel to he damsels if you put them in those bad wter conditiond? Is there any oher way to cycle your tank without the use of fish? Also, i have looked for live rock online but all i can find are large 40 lbs bags for 150 dollars. Is there anywhere that i can just buy a single rock structure. I think there is a fish store that sells coral a little bit aways from where i live. In madison there is a store called living art aquarium...i have been in there and it seems to be a nice place. I might buy from them. How long will the rock survive in a bag when being transported? It will have to survive a couple days before i can put it in the tank. Is that ok? Thank you for all your help so far.  

Answer
hello,

your salt water salinity is too high take out some salt water and dillute it with fresh water. 1.023 to 1.025 is your range.



Yes you can cycle your tank with live sand and live rock.  Ask this store if you can buy Carib Sea Ocean direct live sand. Buy a ten pound bag. This is there web site www.carib-sea.com. For the live rock www.aquatictech.com or www.aquariumlivestock.com or premiumaquaticslive.com .

I would wait to put fish in until your tank is cycled.  Try cycling with live rock/sand.  the live rock needs to be cured.  This is the best way to do so.  Rock can last around thrre-five days before there is a lot of die-off.

good luck
Todd