New Tank

[ilmcwrecker]

My oldest daughter wants a fish tank in her bedroom as her first tank. She wants to learn about takin care of fish on her own (with supervision of course) and she wants to be able to watch them at night to fall asleep to watching them. She has night terrors and watching my tank in my bedroom (75G Fish only) or in my Living room (150 Reef) has always helped her sleep better. My question to everyone is how small is too small? My wife suggested setting up a 10G micro reef for her and I thought a 10G fish only with like green Chromis (spelling?) or Pajama Cardinals would be good to start with. Only like 3-4 and a few snails crabs etc for cleanup crew. What is every ones opinion on this? Is a 10G too small and reef or fish only? I know a smaller tank requires a lot more maintenance. My personal experience is that while the reef took more up front to get established it is easier to maintain on a day to day basis but the fish only tank more or less is more akin to a freshwater tank in terms of maintenance. Thoughts and opinions please and thank you all!!

 

[pete33]

I would do a 29 bio cube. Lot's more choices for fish and landscape.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

I wouldn't go smaller than a 20 gallon. 10 gallon is just too small and water parameters can change too quickly.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

I agree.

 

[e048]

Do a freshwater tank...

 

[Martini5788]

Petco is having their dollar gallon sale right now, get a 29 or a 20 long. Fish only right now, lighting for a reef though incase you want to upgrade to a reef. Or a 40 breeder. 10 gallons are hard to maintain, even as a cycled qt.

 

[MrsReefK]

Petco is having their dollar gallon sale right now, get a 29 or a 20 long. Fish only right now, lighting for a reef though incase you want to upgrade to a reef. Or a 40 breeder. 10 gallons are hard to maintain, even as a cycled qt.

Nice! I didn't realize they were having their $1 per gallon, I don't see it online anywhere, I'll have to check out the actual store. Thanks!

 

[Martini5788]

Nice! I didn't realize they were having their $1 per gallon, I don't see it online anywhere, I'll have to check out the actual store. Thanks!

Not a problem, glad I could help. They are stocking for it now, I think it already started but it will definitely start in the next few weeks either way. So I would go as big as you can, depending on space.

 

[MrsReefK]

Not a problem, glad I could help. They are stocking for it now, I think it already started but it will definitely start in the next few weeks either way. So I would go as big as you can, depending on space.

Thanks. Sorry to hijack the original thread. Back to it!

 

[ilmcwrecker]

I appreciate the input. I already have a 10 G sitting around empty as it was a QT for a smaller tank we no longer have. It's currently broke down, cleaned and ready to be cycled. The space it will go to put it in her bedroom is small. I know the 10G sits there nicely. I'm also on a fixed income at this time which as we all know can be detrimental to this hobby lol so running out and buying a new tank may not be feasible.

That said the original questions remain. Micro reef or fish only. I don't really want to go freshwater as I already have everything I need for saltwater. Chemicals and testing etc. thanks again

 

[Coelli]

I appreciate the input. I already have a 10 G sitting around empty as it was a QT for a smaller tank we no longer have. It's currently broke down, cleaned and ready to be cycled. The space it will go to put it in her bedroom is small. I know the 10G sits there nicely. I'm also on a fixed income at this time which as we all know can be detrimental to this hobby lol so running out and buying a new tank may not be feasible.

That said the original questions remain. Micro reef or fish only. I don't really want to go freshwater as I already have everything I need for saltwater. Chemicals and testing etc. thanks again

What about a xenia tank - xenia and maybe a single clown? Tons of movement from the xenia, and the clown will love it (a friend's tank is overrun with xenia but his clown pair thinks it's paradise).

 

[Martini5788]

I appreciate the input. I already have a 10 G sitting around empty as it was a QT for a smaller tank we no longer have. It's currently broke down, cleaned and ready to be cycled. The space it will go to put it in her bedroom is small. I know the 10G sits there nicely. I'm also on a fixed income at this time which as we all know can be detrimental to this hobby lol so running out and buying a new tank may not be feasible.

That said the original questions remain. Micro reef or fish only. I don't really want to go freshwater as I already have everything I need for saltwater. Chemicals and testing etc. thanks again

Micro reef you would have to maintain and put a lot of effort into. Fish only she could handle on her own most likely. The micro reef would be pretty sweet though, just a lot of effort. Personally if you are going to be stuck with the 10 gallon, I would just put a firefish or goby/ shrimp pair and then add corals overtime based on parameters

 

[ilmcwrecker]

What about a xenia tank - xenia and maybe a single clown? Tons of movement from the xenia, and the clown will love it (a friend's tank is overrun with xenia but his clown pair thinks it's paradise).

I never thought of that. May be a good option for me. Thank you.

 

[ilmcwrecker]

I'm going to research a few options and look deeper into the maintenance. I know she loves the look of both main tanks. So it's tough to pin down what she likes. Being disabled and retired from the military I have all the time in the world to maintain it