Planning for a SW/Reef tank

[aquabat]

And i need help!!

Currently i have a nice little 10 gal planted freshie with 4 barbs, some shrimp and a gourami. It's a happy tank with java fern growing like mad.

But now i want a SW, maybe even Reef tank and i don't know where to start. i don't want to stumble my way through and waste fish and money in the process. i've been looking at the Marineland 12gal Intant Ocean kit and the Aquapod 12 gallon tank. Are these too small for a beginner like me? i've been told to start with 25gal+ but that's a lot of tank for me!

i have salt mix, crushed coral substrate and various other products for a SW tank, i've just been waiting for a tank and/or lighting. My goal is to have a tank with a few small fish, live rock and some type of invertebrate (whatever will thrive in my tank.)

Suggestions from the experienced????

 

[shwnicus]

the nano sticky has everything you need to know. read and re-read (I still do).

http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34054

after pouring through all of that great info a few times, you should have all your non-asthetic answers. good luck!

 

[SALTY WATERS]

12g will house one or two small fish. I would personally start out with as big a tank as you can afford and accomidate.

 

[wayne]

My honest advice is to read a book by Mike Paletta called 'New MArine Aquarium ' or similar. Best 20 dollars you will spend - includes shopping list, and a super basic setup guide.
Please try to avoid 'dummies guide, idiots guide' et al.

And research before you spend or you will burn several hundred dollars on junk very quickly

 

[aquabat]

Thanks for the input everyone. But i'm beginning to think a SW tank isn't for me.

Wayne, i've read quite a few marine tank books, but most of them cover tanks 30+ gallons.

i was just wondering if a nanotank was do-able for a newbie. i'm thinking not lol

 

[SALTY WATERS]

Thanks for the input everyone. But i'm beginning to think a SW tank isn't for me. I was just wondering if a nanotank was do-able for a newbie. i'm thinking not lol

If you do not feel SW is for you at this time then maybe it isn't, but
Nano's are do-able for newbies, it's just that in general they need a little more attention and care than a larger tank does. Newbies usually lack the knowledge and skill of "Patients" needed to keep nano's. If you take the time to properly inform yourself and plan out what you want to accomplish in the long run with the tank, I'm sure you will find that SW can be both exciting and rewarding when done right!