I want a nemo

Donna Marie · 01-23-2006, 02:12 PM

I was given a small desk tank and would like to make it a saltwater tank.
The tank looks like it holds about two gallons of water. It filters from the bottom and has a light. What else do I need. I only want to put a clown fish and a small live rock.

Donna

Twitterbait · 01-23-2006, 02:24 PM

It doesn't sound like the tank is big enough for much. clowns are going to need more room and the 2 gallon tanks are not very good at filtration.

theplatypus · 01-23-2006, 02:33 PM

You would probably have to do a lot of water changes.

gwen_o_lyn · 01-23-2006, 02:41 PM

I also agree that a 2 gal is too small for a clown.

Donna Marie · 01-23-2006, 03:35 PM

Maybe it is a little larger than a two gallon, but not by much. My friend just bought five baby clowns and one not the same type as the other four. It is being chased by the four and probably won't make it because they keep him in one corner of her tank. I would like to give him a chance to survive, but all I have is this desk tank. Do I need a heater or any other special tools to help him make it? I was hoping to get him an anenome?

Donna

whatevva · 01-23-2006, 03:41 PM

If you REALLY want to give him a chance, why not buy, say, a 20 gallon tank, and get the equipment that you need for that? 2 or 3 gallons just isn't enough to support a fish like that. He's probably got a better chance where he is.

rdaled · 01-23-2006, 03:46 PM

Anemone's require lots of light and even more equipment.

gwen_o_lyn · 01-23-2006, 03:53 PM

Before you add the clown, the tank will need to cycle about 4-6 weeks. Trying to save a clown isn't hardly possible- your friend should take the animals back to the LFS.

Anemones are not a good choice for beginners- they do require strong lighting- most of then need metal halides. Perhaps your clown will host in another type of coral, and then you can go with power compact lighting instead of metal halides.

Donna Marie · 01-23-2006, 04:53 PM

If we remove all the clowns from the tank place them in a container, buy four more clowns which are the same as the one that we are trying to save, reintroduce them back into the tank will they accept each other?

donna

flashardy · 01-23-2006, 04:55 PM

How big of a tank are they in?

CLH

superwizbang · 01-23-2006, 04:56 PM

Instead of building rival street gangs, why don't you just take it back or buy the right tank? For the price that you will pay to get four more, you could buy the tank you need and get one of your own after the cycle. These are living creatures and understand, they need a living environment to survive. If someone caught you and put you in a micro-apartment WITH YOUR WHOLE FAMILY, I am sure you would be pretty stressed too.

-K

Donna Marie · 01-23-2006, 05:22 PM

It is a 30 gallon tank. I will try to bring the little fish back, but the store it was bought from has a policy on not taking salt water fish back. I guess I will have to go buy another tank to house the clown.

Donna

Brent Cone · 01-23-2006, 05:30 PM

Please read http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=755

flashardy · 01-23-2006, 05:44 PM

I would say no more fish in that 30! 5 Clown Fish in a 30. Wow and you want to buy more.

CLH

JennM · 01-23-2006, 06:06 PM

Welcome to TRT, Donna Marie!

I'm glad you've come here for help and advice - please know that we only want what's best for your creatures and for you, so hopefully you won't interpret our offerings of advice as harsh.

I'd respectfully suggest that before you buy anything else, purchase a copy of Bob Fenner's The Consciencious Marine Aquarist. Much of what you are being told here will be explained in greater detail.

For a new hobbyist I don't suggest starting with anything smaller than a 20-30 gallon tank. Small water volume is harder to keep consistent. We maintain a 1 gallon nano tank in our shop and it takes daily care and tweaking - and not for beginners. Tank has one fish, 2 shrimp and a couple of tiny coral frags... but I digress.

If the store you're dealing with doesn't take back returns on things they shouldn't have sold you in the first place, then I suggest you don't shop with them anymore. I own a brick and mortar aquatics store and it rots my socks when retailers do people wrongly like that then refuse to correct the situation.

Find another shop to help you out, or find another local hobbyist to help you out.

I don't suggest keeping more than 2 of the same species of clown in most tanks unless they are very large tanks. 2 juveniles will become a male/female pair and will usually show aggression to others. Mixing species of clown in a small tank isn't a good idea either for the same reason - they will compete with each other for territory and usually there's a winner or winners and loser or losers. The store who sold these fish should know this

5 fish total in a 30 is pushing the envelope as it is... please don't add any more. Please make sure that the water is being tested and parameters being correctly maintained. Care of saltwater fishes isn't rocket science but it does take some common sense and a lot of patience.

Hope this helps,

Jenn