First time saltwater tank

AdelineW · 09/06/2013, 08:42 PM

I have a 20gal high tank with liverock, an ocellaris clown, a green chromis, and a dwarf fuzzy lionfish, plus some local Florida beach snails that were added when the tank was first set up. I've only ever kept cichlids before, so this is my first saltwater tank. I have a Tetra whisper filter at the moment, a small heater, and a bubble curtain that provides lots of water movement. The lion is a new addition, but seems to have settled in nicely and is already accepting food, and the clown and chromis have been in the tank for about a month. The lion doesn't seem to care for them. I know I probably need a different filter, but that's probably not happening for a little bit till I find a job, but for now, I do 30-45% water changes about once a week. I was hoping to add something for more color, but since I'm still learning, I want to wait a bit to make sure it's alright with the fish I currently have.

ivar85 · 09/06/2013, 08:50 PM

Do not add more.
Your tank is small

AdelineW · 09/06/2013, 08:51 PM

I wasn't thinking of adding more fish, but maybe coral, or an anemone for the clown.

Pez68 · 09/06/2013, 10:17 PM

That lionfish should ideally have a 50 gallon tank. Probably 30 gallons minimum? Your tank is already at the limits, and that lionfish is probably not going to be happy, especially once he grows.... Do not add an anemone.

Please research livestock before you put anything into your tank. For your sake, and the sake of the livestock.

jinks · 09/06/2013, 10:47 PM

You need a light for coral and not one that you get from petco. Is the bubble curtain one of those strips that puts a line of bubbles in the tank? If so ditch that and get a real power head. That flow might be okay in fresh water but its way to low for salt. Fish only tanks can get away with less flow then a reef but you will still want 10x turn over. I have a 20L that has just short of 1000gph going through it. That's 50x turn over.

AdelineW · 09/07/2013, 10:25 AM

Would the bubble curtain be okay for a while, since I only have fish at the moment?

jinks · 09/07/2013, 12:50 PM

lack of flow can cause build up of detritus and other toxins in low flow spots. If you let it sit to long then kick on the high flow it will throw the levels of the tank off. I would think all those bubbles popping would make lots of salt creep. What you have might last for a bit but the longer you put it off the worse it could get. seems like your trying to run salt like its fresh.

dkeller_nc · 09/07/2013, 01:20 PM

You will be OK for a short while. With live rock (presuming it's truly live) and 35-40% water changes once a week (I'm thinking it's with natural salt water since you mention florida snails), there will be enough water flow with the bubble curtain to keep the fish happy.

But don't add anything else, unless it's some pretty macro algae or an invertebrate like a hermit crab or two. Coral will likely not do well under these circumstances.

The bigger problem you're going to have is that lionfish grow quickly, and as soon as the chromis and/or clown will fit in his mouth, it's bye-bye fishes. Also, keep a very close eye on the tank water level. With that much air going through the water column, you're going to get a lot of evaporation.

09/06/2013, 08:42 PM	#1
AdelineW Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 6	First time saltwater tank I have a 20gal high tank with liverock, an ocellaris clown, a green chromis, and a dwarf fuzzy lionfish, plus some local Florida beach snails that were added when the tank was first set up. I've only ever kept cichlids before, so this is my first saltwater tank. I have a Tetra whisper filter at the moment, a small heater, and a bubble curtain that provides lots of water movement. The lion is a new addition, but seems to have settled in nicely and is already accepting food, and the clown and chromis have been in the tank for about a month. The lion doesn't seem to care for them. I know I probably need a different filter, but that's probably not happening for a little bit till I find a job, but for now, I do 30-45% water changes about once a week. I was hoping to add something for more color, but since I'm still learning, I want to wait a bit to make sure it's alright with the fish I currently have.

09/06/2013, 08:50 PM	#2
ivar85 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 68	Do not add more. Your tank is small

09/06/2013, 08:51 PM	#3
AdelineW Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 6	I wasn't thinking of adding more fish, but maybe coral, or an anemone for the clown.

09/06/2013, 10:17 PM	#4
Pez68 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Suburbs of Chicago Posts: 165	That lionfish should ideally have a 50 gallon tank. Probably 30 gallons minimum? Your tank is already at the limits, and that lionfish is probably not going to be happy, especially once he grows.... Do not add an anemone. Please research livestock before you put anything into your tank. For your sake, and the sake of the livestock.

09/06/2013, 10:47 PM	#5
jinks Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 581	You need a light for coral and not one that you get from petco. Is the bubble curtain one of those strips that puts a line of bubbles in the tank? If so ditch that and get a real power head. That flow might be okay in fresh water but its way to low for salt. Fish only tanks can get away with less flow then a reef but you will still want 10x turn over. I have a 20L that has just short of 1000gph going through it. That's 50x turn over.

09/07/2013, 10:25 AM	#6
AdelineW Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 6	Would the bubble curtain be okay for a while, since I only have fish at the moment?

09/07/2013, 12:50 PM	#7
jinks Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 581	lack of flow can cause build up of detritus and other toxins in low flow spots. If you let it sit to long then kick on the high flow it will throw the levels of the tank off. I would think all those bubbles popping would make lots of salt creep. What you have might last for a bit but the longer you put it off the worse it could get. seems like your trying to run salt like its fresh.

09/07/2013, 01:20 PM	#8
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	You will be OK for a short while. With live rock (presuming it's truly live) and 35-40% water changes once a week (I'm thinking it's with natural salt water since you mention florida snails), there will be enough water flow with the bubble curtain to keep the fish happy. But don't add anything else, unless it's some pretty macro algae or an invertebrate like a hermit crab or two. Coral will likely not do well under these circumstances. The bigger problem you're going to have is that lionfish grow quickly, and as soon as the chromis and/or clown will fit in his mouth, it's bye-bye fishes. Also, keep a very close eye on the tank water level. With that much air going through the water column, you're going to get a lot of evaporation.