15 Gallon startup from the basics

[jmartineau993]

I have only had experience with freshwater aquariums but i want to get into salt water aquariums. Im starting with a 15 gallon so i just want to know how to even start and then also what would be a good setup of rocks, coral, fish and cleaners

 

[eliaslikesfish]

this is a very loaded question. I would start here:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

then proceed to watch A LOT of videos, see if anyone you know is already into saltwater, I’ve found some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in this hobby have been from local people in the hobby as well. 15G limits your options for livestock, take your time.

 

[Spare time]

Get some bommie reef rock or dry rock with at least some sand mixed with real true ocean sand. The reason for this is to introduce microfauna and critters to help keep the tank clean and coralline algae on rocks to help prevent other algaes from taking over. You can add some fish food in to cycle it at first though with what I mentioned in the last sentence there shouldn't be much of a cycle (probably none with the bommie rock). Then, run the lights and add some snails and a hermit crab or two once there is algae growing on the rocks and glass. While doing that, set up a QT for the fish and plan on keeping them there for 45 days in a cycled tank (Jay Hemdal's QT guide on here is good). Alternatively, buy pre-quarentined fish. QT-ing inverts and corals is always a good idea, but fish should be quarantined (by you or an online vendor for long term success.

As for lights, what are the dimensions of the tank? What price range are you looking at?

For other equipment, a quality heater with a heater controller as a fail safe is a good idea.


For salt mixes, red sea coral pro and red sea salt are realtively cheap and mix rapidly. A true seawater refractometer or the instant ocean hydrometer will work for mixing as well as a cheap pump to stir the water.

As for test kits, it depends on your budget.