I am thinking of using my 10 gallon tank as a saltwater tank to keep some clown fish in. So how hard are saltwater aquariums? What equipment do I need? Are reef tanks better for the fish? Anyways I just need help on questions like that so thanks for reading.
How hard are saltwater aquariums?
- Thread starter f1shy
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It is not hard at all but can be a little expensive lol....If you understand how the nitrogen cycle works in your freshwater tanks then you should be able to set up a salt tank as the same principles apply and once you learn about the salt mixes and how much to add to the water you will be on your way.
I've just started one myself, and I would have to agree that it is more pricey, but not much harder. At least for a fish only tank (FOWLR), I have yet to try out corals.
Yes,once you delve into corals you are at another level with the lighting and other equipment needed.I would suggest the poster start with a bigger tank than the ten galllon though.Such a small tank limits what he can keep unless he wants to start a nano project but depending on the species just two clowns might do well though.
Fish only are easy (no different than fresh water from my experience) - you need salt mix and a hydrometer
Fish only with live rock, gets harder because the rock is now your bio filtration (versus the canisters you can use in fish only), but gets more interesting - you will need a protein skimmer more than likely, blue light, powerhead etc. Starts to get $, and you will start to check your water parameters religiously trying to learn how the rock works versus the canisters.
Reef - gets really hard, and really interesting, but this is where it really gets fun (aka hobby) because you can go all directions - you are trying to mimic the ocean, literally. Sumps (return pump for the sump, overflow box), a GOOD protein skimmer, multiple lights, power heads etc. Can get pretty $.
I am building something that can someday support a reef hopefully and I am not going to lie, it is not cheap.
I enjoy anything DIY though, I am in the process now of designing my first sump. Well my second. I created one using a 10 gallon, but yesterday I scored a 20 gallon long on craigslist for 10 bucks! So I will start work on that sump this weekend. I enjoy making my own sumps. Lots of fun.
Fish only with live rock, gets harder because the rock is now your bio filtration (versus the canisters you can use in fish only), but gets more interesting - you will need a protein skimmer more than likely, blue light, powerhead etc. Starts to get $, and you will start to check your water parameters religiously trying to learn how the rock works versus the canisters.
Reef - gets really hard, and really interesting, but this is where it really gets fun (aka hobby) because you can go all directions - you are trying to mimic the ocean, literally. Sumps (return pump for the sump, overflow box), a GOOD protein skimmer, multiple lights, power heads etc. Can get pretty $.
I am building something that can someday support a reef hopefully and I am not going to lie, it is not cheap.
I enjoy anything DIY though, I am in the process now of designing my first sump. Well my second. I created one using a 10 gallon, but yesterday I scored a 20 gallon long on craigslist for 10 bucks! So I will start work on that sump this weekend. I enjoy making my own sumps. Lots of fun.
thanks for the replies and since im so new to saltwater fish im probably going to start a fish only first then get a reef tank 
I thought you needed a Skimmer even for fish only?
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Skimmers aren't necessary for any aquarium, but they make it a heck of a lot easier to keep and maintain. Well worth the money to invest in one.
Honestly, and most people will disagree with me, but i find maintaining my 10 gallon saltwater that is FOWLR with nothing but a HOB filter rated for a 20 gallon tank (and with a little carbon in it) is so much easier to maintain than my 55 gallon. The occasional water change here and there and it does perfectly fine. I find that the smaller it is, the more likely for imbalance and thus a likelier chance to falter, but also, in my experience, the bigger tanks are harder to get back to normal when something goes wrong. I don't think there's a problem with starting with a smaller aquarium, just stay on top of things. Small water changes here and there with a reasonable filter should do. I would recommend live rock regardless.
Honestly, and most people will disagree with me, but i find maintaining my 10 gallon saltwater that is FOWLR with nothing but a HOB filter rated for a 20 gallon tank (and with a little carbon in it) is so much easier to maintain than my 55 gallon. The occasional water change here and there and it does perfectly fine. I find that the smaller it is, the more likely for imbalance and thus a likelier chance to falter, but also, in my experience, the bigger tanks are harder to get back to normal when something goes wrong. I don't think there's a problem with starting with a smaller aquarium, just stay on top of things. Small water changes here and there with a reasonable filter should do. I would recommend live rock regardless.
Expensive more than difficult, but smaller aquariums are more difficult to manage due to slight changes = big changes in small aquariums