[k_mason910]

My husband and I just purchsed a 10 gallon tank. I realize it's a smaller tank, but we figured we'd better start small and work our way up once we have a larger budget. The LFS told us to set up our tank and come back 24 hours later and start with 2 damsel fish, wait 2 months while they make bacteria in the water, and then add the more expensive fish. Is this correct? All we really want is a clown fish and blue tang for our daughter, I bet you can guess why.. But we're really excited about it and I want to make sure we don't kill anything, that would be good. SO basically I wanted to know, is starting with 2 damsel fish the best way to go? Oh and I didn't use reverse osmosis water, but I put water conditioning in the water, so will this be ok? Thanks so much!

[lynnvangsnes]

Welcome to RB! You are taking your first steps on a journey with great rewards.
A 10 gallon tank is much too small for a tang. Tangs need at least 75 gallon if not larger. They can get to be as big as a football. Are you planning to use any live rock? I highly recommend it..even live sand will help with your filtration. You can acually use clownfish to cycle your tank instead of damsels. You can cycle it through with the damsels, but I would return them when you get your clownfish. I also recommend you always use RO water for your tank. If you use tap water, there is a good possibility it will contain copper; deadly to corals and invertebrates. Tap water can also add phosphates to your tank which will cause lots of algae bloom. The number one rule of marine tanks is (altogether now) be patient. Cycling your tank will take a little while. I would recommend you cycle it through with live rock (10 lbs). Then add your clown. Damels are EXTREMELY

[k_mason910]

Ok, I'll definately get some live rock. 10 pounds of it is good? I was also going to get another mini pump for better water flow. You think the clown fish will be okay to start with? And the blue tang (I appologize ahead of time for even asking this) is the 'Dory' fish from finding nemo, right? Do they really get that big!? Wow. Good thing I asked then. I was thinking, having a 10 gallon tank, 3 or 4 small fish tops. Is that the right amount for such a small tank? Thank you!

[lynnvangsnes]

Yes, they get huge. I saw a "dory" last week and a yellow one. Both were that size. One inch of fish for each 2 gallons is the general rule, I think.(somebody help me out here if I'm wrong) Yes, you can cycle your tank through with the clown. They are hardy fish. If you cycle your tank with your live rock only, you can put your clown in then, and he won't be so stressed. Don't get me wrong; clowns are hardy and you can cycle the tank with them, but it is hard on them. Water quality is of utmost importance. Water changes are important as well. Don't do water changes until your nitrite levels hit zero. Until then, there are lots of bacteria building up and water changes will remove some of them. Water flow is good. After your tank cycles, you may have some algae start, and this is perfectly normal. Your may consider getting a couple of snails at that time to aid in keeping your tank clean of algae. My wife and daughter ask me frequently: How many fish are we gonna get? I simply answer that it's not the number of fish that is important, it's that we get fish that live together happily and peacefully. We are creating an closed ecosystem and we must research and plan before we put things in. Not all creatures get along. Here is a helpful link for those just learning the hobby:
Saltwater Aquariums 101
On my previous post, I was going to say that damsels are VERY territorial. I avoid them.
Have fun!