starting out tank size?

What is a good tank size to start out with? I just want a tank for the moment not a kit. Also I want to keep the tank relatively low price wise too. I was thinking a 10 gallon or possibly a 5.5? i don't know. any suggestions?

 

That is pretty small! I started with a 75 gal. The more water the better/easier they say (I guess unless it's massive it might be hard to take care of). I've seen a lot of suggestions not to go less than 20gal, although people do. Maybe start with a 50 or something?

 

we will see the reason I was thinking small was because it has to fit on my desk

 

Completely the wrong direction. You have done well deciding not to get a kit, but the core equipment there will all be needed. Powerheads, heaters, skimmers,etc, are all NOT optional equipment.
The smaller the tank, the harder they are. A 5.5 or 10 is definitely not for beginners. I would say the ideal tank size would be a 55-75 gallon, IMHO.
I am sorry to say, but if your not looking to invest much, you may just want to hold off on salt water all together. While it's definitely not a rich-mans only hobby, you will need to spend a good amount on quality equipment from the get-go or you will fail. You will either end up spending more money down the road because you will need to replace the cheap equipment with good stuff after everything dies (been down that road myself), or you will be driven away from the hobby forever.
Just my two cents

 

i think a 30 breeder is the best "small" tank available
a penguin 350 and a powerhead,heater and you're good to go!

 

Well stated PackLeader! I can't agree more with what you said. I've only been doing this for a year and have already learned those lessons (not the small tank one just everything else) yet have been vigilant in research and purchasing as to not let anything get too out of control and cause deaths.

 

Thank you for the information. What about a 30 or 25? because honestly I don't have room for anything much bigger unless its tall.

 

If you're new to this and don't plan on spending $ on all the latest and greatest stuff, or doing a LOT of research beforehand (or both) I would not go below 50 gal, it won't be worth it. It's not cheap to experiment with, that's for sure.

 

If you have to chose between the 2, get the 30. Get the biggest tank you possibly can, basically. It doesnt have to be huge; its just easier to not screw stuff up with a bigger tank. I have a 40. Thats considered fairly small. I wish I had gone bigger, and believe me, I screwed plenty up at the start.
On the same note, I wouldn't get a "tall". Waist IMO. You will need more powerful lights that can penetrate deeper, and wont have nearly the room for your fish. Fish like to swim side-to-side for the most part, not up and down.
I would suggest taking actual measurements of your space that you have available and go from there. Re-arrange some stuff if possible. When you figure out what you can keep, check places like craigslist. You can get used tanks in good shape for no more than a buck a gallon. Thats the biggest way you can save

 

This will sound contradictory but the smaller the tank...the harder it is to take care of. What I mean by hard is you will always have to stay on top of it's husbandry or you will have problems. Larger tanks have more water volume to dissipate problems.