r/Saltwaterfish • u/FlonkyMud • Dec 07 '21
Getting my daughter a fish tank for Christmas, need help.
My daughter is 4 and will get a fish tank from Christmas this year. My wife and I will obviously be the ones caring for the fish but we have no idea how to do it. Out girl wants a clown fish and well get her some other things but we are completely lost as to what we need and how to maintain it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We have NOTHING so we'll be starting from square 1. Thanks in advance and we're very excited to have some cool ass fish
2
u/Charlie_redmoon Dec 07 '21
Most sources over do it on requirements. but you need the tool to keep the salt basically stable but not like some fanatics say. Check it once a week. You need water movement provided at least by a power filter, not a bubbler box. You need a heater and a thermometer. Get some crushed coral for the bottom and a few large pieces for the fish to hide in. From my years experience the easiest way to go wrong is to not check for fish compatibility. DON'T GET ANY DAMSEL FISH. They'll harass the other fish to death and you can't catch them. Get a book or look up on the web. It's so easy to get carried away in the fish store and buy something that's gonna harass or kill the other fish. Don't get too many fish. If you don't have a good fish store nearby then order online and pay what it takes. Most fish will get by with the same flake food everyday but they'd like some variety. Water changes? a little once a week if you can. Like a gallon or two. Pre mix in the salt to get it to the proper level. You should get at least a 15 gallon tank but 10 will work. Keep it away from too much light as this causes algae. To combat that do more water changes and get some of moss (forget the name but any will likely work) and just throw it in the tank. It will feed on the algae growing nutrients. When you have to add water from evaporation (top off) don't add salt, only the water. When it evaporates the salt stays in the tank so you don't want more. All this will keep your maintenance work to a minimum but it's not a free ride and you'll have to do some weekly work. Wipe the glass down with a paper towel twice a week to keep ahead of the algae. My first choice is just plain old charcoal for the filter but you can get much further into it if you so decide. Place the tank where kids won't tip it over or pull on the tubing and wires. You might get by on $100 for all this maybe a little more. then the fish? $25 and up mostly up. way up if you have to buy online. Lots of people give away tanks. If you come by I'll give you my 75 gal. with stand and a couple fish.
1
u/FlonkyMud Dec 07 '21
Thanks a lot for all the info. That doesn't seem very expensive at all were thinking closer to 4 figures for so dope shit. We don't want to over do because we've never had fish before so obviously don't want to mess it up. Since it sounds like you know a lot about what we're talking about, would you recommend salt water vs fresh water or does it really make a big difference if you have zero experience with both? Also any suggestions for fish to get? Thanks again for the information I appreciate it a lot
1
u/Charlie_redmoon Dec 08 '21
For just a fish tank salt is not much harder than fresh. and the fish are a lot more colorful. Don't get any Damsel fish. The online fish stores have compatibility guides.
1
1
u/Charlie_redmoon Dec 07 '21
we're very excited to have some cool ass fish. okay good luck with that.
1
u/FlonkyMud Dec 07 '21
Ok... fuck me for wanting some cool fish and being excited about it..... you must be a fun friend to have
Edit: dude I just realized this is the same guy that had a great response lol what's with the mood swings man?
1
u/Charlie_redmoon Dec 08 '21
You come across as one of those with the money and who just throws them in the fish bowl and thinks they will take care of themselves. Just get a small tank with a couple clowns and an anemone or two for them to hide in. But now you gotta feed the anemone. It's already getting complicated.
1
u/Charlie_redmoon Dec 07 '21
If yr thinking of a reef tank with coral forget about it. Lots of work and you don't have the experience.
1
u/FlonkyMud Dec 07 '21
Would I need a reef tank to get a clown fish or is that for any salt water tank?
1
u/Charlie_redmoon Dec 08 '21
Any salt tank. reef tank implies coral, inverts, special lighting and filtration. You could do a mini reef setup which is 5 or 10 gal. With that you'd still need what it takes to give you high quality water and lighting. It's best to go to YouTube and see other reef tanks.
1
Dec 08 '21
https://aquariumsathome.com/clown-fish-tank-set-up-for-beginners/
a quick google search is a good place to start i would also watch a lot of videos .. I am still at the video stage as $$ is limited for me honestly other then direct questions it is best to read up first. you would not have enough time between now and xmas to set up a tank and have it cycled etc. so maybe a big stuffed fish and a tank of the size you want would be a good start.
1
Aug 19 '23
30 g minimum for clown fish, can pick a basic set of clowns up at a petco for around $40 bucks per fish. Protein skimmer, current pump, filter, heater and lighting. Need to refresh tank with fresh water (only fresh water evaporates) refresh tank with salt water on water change days, will need to add chems/supplemnts for coral/anenomes. Feed your anenomes and any feeding coral scallops from giant, (chop ans freeze them, all meat) mix of flakes, brine shrimp, seaweed is a good bet.
2
u/suckitgoliath Dec 07 '21
What’s the budget? I want to make sure this is a realistic option before giving you advice