I want to set up a 20 gallon tank for fish only. I have looked online and just wanted some input on what fish i should get small colorful non agressive fish im trying to make a community
I need help im a beginner
- Thread starter garman
- Start date
for a 20gal saltwater you're really limited bc saltwater fish are less tolerant of poor water quality than freshwater.
but for starters you can get a pair of false percula clowns. there are also some gobies and blennys that stay rather small as well. Dartfish are another small fish but please do not overstock your tank.
you should post your equipment so we know if you'll be running a protein skimmer or what type of filtration you'll be using.
gluck
but for starters you can get a pair of false percula clowns. there are also some gobies and blennys that stay rather small as well. Dartfish are another small fish but please do not overstock your tank.
you should post your equipment so we know if you'll be running a protein skimmer or what type of filtration you'll be using.
gluck
i will use a fluval submersible i have some other hang on filters that i use for my toher tnaks so i could swtich them and should i get a protein skimmer? i have the light that came with it and what else would i need
Don't bother running any filter media in the fluval. Use it for flow only. You shouldn't run sponges in your filters because they are nitrate factories. I'd run an Aquaclear for surface aggitation with no media as well. You need lots of flow. The key to a great marine tank is flow. You should have at least 10X the amout of tank volume pumped through your tank per hour with all your equipment put together. So if your running a 20 gallon then you want to have at least 200 gallons per hour moving in your tank.
Here is a good writeup to help you out: http://www.masns.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=923
Here is a good writeup to help you out: http://www.masns.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=923
Well - personally I think you be better off with a larger tank - like a 30 to 45 gallon tank.
Generally the slightly larger tanks are a bit easier to maintain.
With a 20 gallon tank - if you had a sudden spike(even a small one) in Nitrate, or Nitrite levels your tanks inhabiants could be serious trouble.
Here's a few fish for your tank.
Damsels are actually the best fish for cycling your tank and keeping in a small SW tank. Also they come in a variety of colors.
The smaller Clowns are also good - especially if you have inverts.
Also the smaller gobies would also work.
But also you need to remember not to overload your tank with fish.
Generally you could put about 5 fishes(4" long), or 6 fishes(3" long) in a 20 gallon tank.
Generally the slightly larger tanks are a bit easier to maintain.
With a 20 gallon tank - if you had a sudden spike(even a small one) in Nitrate, or Nitrite levels your tanks inhabiants could be serious trouble.
Here's a few fish for your tank.
Damsels are actually the best fish for cycling your tank and keeping in a small SW tank. Also they come in a variety of colors.
The smaller Clowns are also good - especially if you have inverts.
Also the smaller gobies would also work.
But also you need to remember not to overload your tank with fish.
Generally you could put about 5 fishes(4" long), or 6 fishes(3" long) in a 20 gallon tank.
You have to be very carefull with the damsels though! I've had to bad experiences with them so far and now I refuse to ever get any again. I had a yellow tail kill 3 large chromis, and a domino kill a firefish, and seriously harm/harrass the rest of the crew. I had to dismantle the entire reef tank to catch him. But sometimes you can get lucky and never have a problem with your damsels. They are like people - some are ***h0les and some are nice. 
Justin_James;491457; said:You have to be very carefull with the damsels though! I've had to bad experiences with them so far and now I refuse to ever get any again. I had a yellow tail kill 3 large chromis, and a domino kill a firefish, and seriously harm/harrass the rest of the crew. I had to dismantle the entire reef tank to catch him. But sometimes you can get lucky and never have a problem with your damsels. They are like people - some are ***h0les and some are nice.
I had a blue devil that killed 2 perculas, 2 velvet damsels, another blue devil, and 2 yellow tail blue devils. Notice all were damsels. When he started to attack my sixline wrasse he went to be fed to a lionfish at the lfs. So if you get damsels, and want more than one, get chromis'. Or a pair of clowns, they will change sexually to a become a mated pair, if you buy juvies.
I have a 15 gal salt tank with three false perculas, two purple firefish,two feather dusters,and two tiny crabs.
If you want damsels they need to be added to the tank last to try and prevent the territorial behavior described above. I have one in with my frogfish and they do pretty well, although the frogfish has grown and is starting to size up the damsel for a meal.
Damsels are mean. I would stay away from them. You could use a Firefish or Yellow watchman gobies maybe some False perc clowns. Any small reef safe fish would work. With a fish only you will need a protein skimmer. Make sure you have enough live rock and live sand. That is where your bacteria will live. You do need some flow a powerhead or a empty can filter will work. You can run carbon if you want and a phos remover also helps. If you do not want to run a skimmer you could use purigen until you can get one. If the aquarium is empty then drill it and run a sump for added water volume and it will be somewhere you can store your skimmer, heater, return pump etc. Drilling is easy I will tell you how if you want. I drilled a 20 long in about 2.5 hrs. Good luck and research before making a purchase.