Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of setting up a new aquarium in a fairly small room, probably a 10 or 15 gallon tank. I've had a small 30 litre tropical tank in my bedroom for a while now and it's been going well. But I've always been drawn to saltwater fish - they seem so much more colourful and exotic. I'm interested in setting up a saltwater or brackish tank, but I'm not entirely sure what brackish means. Is it easier to maintain than a full saltwater tank?

The thing is, I have no experience with saltwater aquariums. I know the basics of tropical tanks, but I'm not sure how different saltwater is. Do I need a heater, or can I get away without one? Is it just a matter of adding salt to a tropical tank setup?

I'm particularly interested in keeping pufferfish. I don't want a dwarf one, but I don't want a massive one either - I want something that will thrive in a smaller tank. I like the look of Green Spotted Puffers or Valentine Puffers. How big a tank would I need for one of these, and can I mix them with other fish like boxfish?

I'm also considering dwarf puffers - how big do they grow?

I'd really appreciate any advice or guidance you can offer. I'm completely new to saltwater aquariums and I don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
George

Honestly, I'm not sure a forum can be of huge help to you right now. I'm a beginner myself, with only 5 months of experience with my 28-gallon tank. It takes a lot of time to get everything running smoothly - my tank is still pretty empty.

I remember when I first joined this forum, I was asking a lot of questions (which I now think were pretty silly). I got some answers, but I was still really confused. Then I read this book, "The New Marine Aquarium" - it's a small book, but it really gives you an idea of what to ask and what to look for when setting up a tank.

My advice would be to read that book first, and you'll get a much better understanding of what you need to know. There's a lot to learn, but it's worth it. I'd recommend starting with the Berlin system - it uses live rocks and a skimmer, and it's been working really well for me.

One thing to keep in mind is that bigger tanks are generally easier to keep stable, but they're also more expensive. And if you have the space, it's worth considering a tank with a sump - I wish I had one, but I don't have anywhere to hide it.

Also, take a look at my tank's progress - it's been a learning experience, but it's coming along. http/www.fishforums.net/content/Members-...rst-Small-Reef/

Still, I'm learning as I go - like trying to grow corals, but it's all part of the process.

I've always been drawn to Green Spotted Puffers and Valentine Puffers, they seem like fantastic additions to a tank. I was wondering, what's the minimum tank size required to keep one of these guys happy? I'm also curious to know if I can mix them with other fish, like boxfish for instance. I've heard mixed reviews about keeping puffers with other species, so I'd love to get some advice on that.