Hello! Im new and need some advice

I'm just getting into the saltwater hobby and have a few questions. I've been advised that it is harder to maintain a smaller tank but due to space issues, I as going to convert my 20 extra high into a saltwater aquarium. It is not drilled so I will have to make do with what I have. I was thinking of doing a couple seahorses, possibly dwarf species, since they require some height. Does any one have any advice as to how I should go about setting this tank up or if I should not do seahorses? I will not be starting this until I have what I need and I am absolutely sure what I am going to do.

 

You can makethe gallon work but I think everyone will tell you to get some experience under your belt before you try seahorses.From what I know theyre fairly difficult.Good luck with the tank and have fun.

 

Hello and Welcome to 3reef

It would work well with seahorses because of the depth.

They are not going to want a lot of flow so take that into account with regard to drilling the tank.

Seahorses do best at lower temperatures ie 74 F and below. The tend to develop bacterial and fungal infections as higher temperatures.

Seahorses need to be feed daily if not more frequently and getting them to eat anthing other than live food can be a challenge.

Not the first thing I would take on for my first sw system.

 

I figured they wouldn't be good for beginners, I just knew they would like the height. Any suggestions for fish then?

 

For 20 gallons 3 medium ( under 2 inches ) sized fish would be appropriate in my opinion.


Clownfish
Royal Gramma
Orange or purple fishfish
Cadinals
Yellow watchman goby, clown goby

 

I would love a mandarin goby but I've heard they are hard to feed?

 

Yes your tank should really be very well established at least a year old and you would need a mandarin that is eating something other than pods.

Much easier fish to get and be successful with and cheaper.

Are you looking to get into any corals?

 

Absolutely, still doing some research on it. Because the tank is so high I was going to start with the live rock and try to stack it high as a center piece.

 

If you get the right light you could do some soft corals. In my opinion soft corals are easier than fish. They commonly do not carry disease, reproduce readily and do not require constant feeding, and they give they tank some nice movement. Do get me wrong fish are cool but I am good with just a few fish and mostly corals, especially in a tank that is smaller.

 

the only issue with a 20 tall is its height for the small water volume. you run into a big light to hit the depths and you rusk overheating the tank.