[shantz]

I'm looking into starting a fish only saltwater tank. I currently have a 40 gallon eclipse system. From what I've read with a 40 gallon tank I can only have 7 inches of fish in it. Does this mean that I can only have 2, 3 inch fish? It really seems like its not worht the investment for so few fish. If I am understanding this correctly if I buy to damsels to cycle the tank I'm basically at my fish limit right there. Any sugestions or comments?

[Bughead]

Unless you want damsels, don't cycle with damsels. Even if you want damsels, you should cycle with either live rock, a few drops of pure ammonia (be sure there's no soap in it), or a piece of shrimp. Anything that will break down and cause the bacteria to create the nitrogen cycle.A couple of years ago somebody jokingly asked if he could pee in the tank. Yeah, that would work too.

As to how many fish...I don't pay too much attention to the old rule of thumb of 1"/5gal (altho my hubby keeps bringing it up so he can be properly horrified as to how overstocked the tank is according to that rule). What's more important is how stable the tank stays, how everybody gets along, and just how relaxed it feels.

So, tell us, what kind of fish are you attracted to? Give us a list of your favorites and we'll try to help you pick which ones and how many. Don't worry if your list is long, we'll help you get good combinations.

P.S. Welcome to the board.

[Reefland]

Hi shantz and welcome to Reefland!

Something elseI will add to Bugheads reply is it depends on how active the fish is in nature too. Tangs for instance swim very actively in nature and require a larger tank for comfort. If you try and follow a generic rule such as x" per x gal you could really get yourself in trouble. There are several very nice fish which could be kept in your 40gal tank including clownfish and royal gramma's which both are very nice paired up.

And don't start thinking the wrong way, it is very much worth the investment.

[the_blue_tuna]

I would also add that you should stock your tank slowly , adding the most aggressive fish on your list , last. By stocking slowly you give the tank and the fish time to adjust . Are you planning on having live rock and a sand bed ?

[shantz]

Actually I'm not doing any sand. Just crushed coral. I was told I didn't need sand since it will be a fish only tank. I would love to have invertabrates but I'm on a pretty tight budget. I will be getting some live rock but I'm not sure how much. I've read 1 lb per gallon is starndard but I've also heard its not necessary. I plan on getting some becuase it looks really cool but at 4 or 5 bucks a pound its not cheap.

I haven't really decided which fish I want yet. My favorite is the Humu Picaso Trigger but they get to large for my tank. I need to narrow my search but haven't had time yet.

I'm not going to officially start the tank until probably november so I have more time to research and decide. If you have an favoriets that would work for me let me know I'd love to hear suggestions.