Looking to start a 20-40gal salt tank

[Caoboy]

I'm thinking of dabbling in the saltwater world...freshwater is boring me.

I've got a spare 20 gallon tank (but want to go a lil bigger, but not too big as a starter tank) and was wondering if I could set it up like the 90g step by step sticky, with just LR/LS for filtration. This would be a FOWLR tank, no corals yet, don't trust myself with them yet.

Tips, tricks, input, are appreciated...I know the basics and am thinking it would be possible like the 90g, just scaled down.

What I don't know, would be what are hardy fish/inverts that can survive potential mishaps in a n00b aquarium.

I'm thinking 20lbs of rock, about 2/3 inches of sand, I have 10k t5's, and can get actinic or 20k bulbs if needed for a FOWLR tank, A bucket of salt to mix, and RO water. I have a canister filter if needed, but I was thinking a HOB filter might be easier, or even both of those not necessary with good circulation (using powerheads) around the tank anyways.

I'd have the rock stacked/glued together and centered/building a little mountain, with plenty of swimming area hopefully. I'm thinking I'll take it slow, using dry sand, instead of that wet stuff they sell in stores, but buy live rock and have it colonize the sand.

Enough blabbering, point me in the right direction guys!

 

[skene]

All the information that you need are in the stickies. That is what they are there for.
These days it's not as hard as you think, but really just think about the commitment you want to embark on. While a saltwater tank is easier to maintain as opposed to a freshwater tank, the basics are all the same.
The one thing I will have to say regarding the first step........... plan carefully on what you want to accomplish and do not rush.
Rushing into things will disappoint you much more quickly than FW. SW can be very unforgiving and time, money will have been spent rather hastily.
Do your research and more importantly take your time.
Read about the horror stories of tanks crashing because of stupid errors. Learn from others mistakes, so you can get an idea of what not to do.
HTH

 

[skiptomyzoo]

what skene said, plus I would think you need more LR and LS to do that as filteration. Doesnt matter what your lights are if your not doing corals....and drip slowly when adding fish (and even slower for inverts) setting up a quarentine/hospital wouldnt be bad either for the future.
Read about cycles and testing before you really do anything though. Wouldn't be bad to read about hitchikers either, so you don't get stuff you don't want in your tank, esp when it could take it over.
If you check some of my old threads, when I first asked about SW, it should give you most the info your looking for.

 

[Caoboy]

What would be a good stock list for a small community of fish?