Hi,
I've recently acquired a 48-litre tank and a heater, and I'm really keen on keeping some clownfish. The problem is, I have no idea how to set up my tank properly, and I'm terrified of putting my future fish in harm's way.
I've got all the necessary equipment, but I'm still missing the fish. I'm not sure where to go from here.
Do clownfish prefer having the tank lights on or off? I've heard mixed things about this.
I'm really eager to get started, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything right.
starting fresh with aquatic hobbies
Re: starting fresh with aquatic hobbies
You can keep Amphiprion ocellaris in a 48 litre tank, but be aware they'll get a bit cramped when they mature. You'll just need to keep a close eye on the water quality.
As for lighting, clownfish don't mind whether the lights are on or off. I'd suggest turning them on for a couple of hours in the evening so you can watch them when you get home.
Now, let's get to setting up your tank. Start with some shell or beach sand at the bottom, and add some rocks for decoration. Fill the tank with saltwater - you can either use natural seawater from the beach, provided it's clean and not polluted, or artificial salt mix. If you opt for the latter, make it up in a separate container and let it aerate for 24 hours to allow the minerals to dissolve completely. Use a hydrometer or refractometer to check the salinity level.
To kick-start the filtration cycle, add some liquid ammonia, prawn or fish. Then let the tank cycle - this'll take about a month. It's the same process for both fresh and salt water, so check out some cycling threads for more info.
Once the tank's cycled, stop adding the ammonia, do a big water change, and you're ready to introduce your clownfish. If you use live rock and live sand, the cycling process will be shorter.
As for lighting, clownfish don't mind whether the lights are on or off. I'd suggest turning them on for a couple of hours in the evening so you can watch them when you get home.
Now, let's get to setting up your tank. Start with some shell or beach sand at the bottom, and add some rocks for decoration. Fill the tank with saltwater - you can either use natural seawater from the beach, provided it's clean and not polluted, or artificial salt mix. If you opt for the latter, make it up in a separate container and let it aerate for 24 hours to allow the minerals to dissolve completely. Use a hydrometer or refractometer to check the salinity level.
To kick-start the filtration cycle, add some liquid ammonia, prawn or fish. Then let the tank cycle - this'll take about a month. It's the same process for both fresh and salt water, so check out some cycling threads for more info.
Once the tank's cycled, stop adding the ammonia, do a big water change, and you're ready to introduce your clownfish. If you use live rock and live sand, the cycling process will be shorter.
Re: starting fresh with aquatic hobbies
Honestly, I'm not sure I'd put a clown in a tank that small, just my two cents.
I'd personally add the rock before the sand, just seems like a more logical order to me.
And on the cycling, I've found that if you're using live rock, you don't really need to add extra ammonia - the rock's got enough die-off to get the process started. I'd just put the live rock in, give it a couple of weeks, and you're good to go.
You might also want to consider a goby or two, they're great little fish and can do well in smaller tanks.
I'd personally add the rock before the sand, just seems like a more logical order to me.
And on the cycling, I've found that if you're using live rock, you don't really need to add extra ammonia - the rock's got enough die-off to get the process started. I'd just put the live rock in, give it a couple of weeks, and you're good to go.
You might also want to consider a goby or two, they're great little fish and can do well in smaller tanks.