clown fish..questions!

[ClustersBabyMama]

I know nothing about saltwater tanks or fish.. but i would really love to buy a clown fish... what is needed, to maintain a tank with just 1 clown fish? how big of a tank.. what supplies.. how long to cycle the tank b4 adding the fish, etc etc, and how much do you all think this will cost?? Ive heard its some work! Thanks!!

 

[3fsh]

My advice to you would be to research it as much as you possibly can before you even think about starting a saltwater tank. They take more time and effort than a freshwater tank but (IMO) are more rewarding and the fish are more intelligent and have more personality. I would suggest starting with as big of a tank as you can afford. Small tanks are very hard to take care of because the water evaporates more quickly so you have to test the specific gravity/salinity and add fresh water more often. A good place to start learning about saltwater is by reading some of the articles pinned in the Marine Chat section. I agree with all that is said there except for one thing... I believe you should use live sand (2-3 inches) and live rock (1.5lbs per gallon) because then you can add fish immediately and the tank never "cycles". It does go through different stages of algae... brown, red, and green... but it doesn't have a harmful ammonia spike because the LS and LR are like a built in biological filter. As for the cost... I stopped counting when I got to $800 on my 25g. I have spent at least $500 on my 38g+10g sump so far and i still haven't bought the lights for the main tank (about $400) or the live rock (about $360). Pleeeeeeeease don't go to an LFS and just buy a tank and some salt and crushed coral without seriously researching saltwater! Don't let the people at the LFS talk you into any impulse buys... your fish will suffer because of it.

 

[Navarre]

I can only echoe those words. Be patient and dont let your shop place pressureo n you to make a purchase.
What you should be asking yourself is this.. Not Whats the smallest tank i can get to house these fish but i can afford to run a tank this size, can this house a clown or 2? Get the largest tank you can afford to get as this will reap you rewards later on.