What Size Tank For Green Chromis?

[dwarfgourami]

How big a tank would you need for a small school of green chromis, and maybe a clown goby or so? Just of interest, I enjoy reading about marine fish, but find it quite hard to visualise the sort of setup. People either seem to have either incredibly expertise-demanding nano tanks, or very big setups. Is there anything in the middle?

 

[steelhealr]

Well...not really in that all marine tanks require attention to detail and constant tweaking. I guess there is a middle ground..well..somewhat. Most would agree that a 75 gallon tank is a good recommended starter size. That doesn't mean you can't go 40 or 55G's. The smaller tank might make maintenance a bit easier. However, the smaller the tank, you begin to impinge on what you can add to the tank and also lose the extra volume that gives you a cushion with regards to nitrates and excess nutrients.

Although a single small marine fish might not need a lot of room, when you combine them to make a school, they need space to swim and also to not feel hemmed in...this might make them aggressive towards each other. SH

 

[Lynden]

A 55 gallon is big enough for a school of chromis, but that would severely limit the amount of other fish you could put in. A 55 gallon is actually an excellent tank to start with, but you will eventually want to or need to expand. Usually.

-Lynden

 

[dwarfgourami]

Cheers. Makes it easier to picture, when I've got an idea of tank space. So somewhere between 55 and 75 gals, you could set up a modest marine fish tank. And 75 would be a good beginner's size. Well, maybe one day....

 

[Navarre]

I had a very sucessful marine setup @ 40 UK gallons. I didnt have chromis in teh tank buti did have a small shoal of 4 anthias (1 male 3 females). I had a variety of other fish to complement them and never had nutrient issues. Its all down to how well you can keep the water clean IME> Its possible to put higher levels of fish in a system (perhaps not as a beginner) and with careful choices you can get away with this but you will be more likely to suceed if you have a very good water management program.