Yet another "Nemo"!

[Mizu]

I just found this forum and it looks perfect, just what I need!
I am a freshy who just set up a salt water tank which is eventually going to be the home of one or two Clownfish. As the internet usually has a lot of information and is very messy in my opinion I prefer to ask those with experience directly instead of second guessing and having the fish pay for it so I hope someone has the time to give me some advice!

I've never cared for Clowns or salt water before but have a freshwater tank with Angelfish. The LFS had sand substrate, prepared salt water and used filtermedia/biorings for sale and I got it all for this tank. Is there anything I should remember when caring for Clowns and saltwater? Which Clown would be the best to go with? What are signs that I would be prepared for an anemone? When there is no anemone what kind of enviroment should I create for the fish? I have live rocks in there but it looks very empty at the moment, I figure they are somewhat shelter fish. Is there any special meds I should have at home at all times? If I am not interested in breeding should I still get two? Or are they fine by themselves?

Thank you in advance and sorry for asking questions that have probably been asked 100 times before.

[leebca]

Thanks for posting and welcome to Reefland!

You are right in trying to find those who know. But, you want to know who it is you are getting information from and whether or not they qualify in your eyes as being reliable. For instance, this is information about me: Bio - Lee (a.k.a. leebca)

Your questions are basic and you are looking for more info. That is a great sign! It's hard to try to write it all out for each person that asks, because sometimes something important is missed. So, all the details are written out in sticky posts in this and other Forums on Reefland. The first one you should read is this:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

One of the most inaccurate information you'll receive (especially from an LFS) is what size tank is best. The bigger the better. Stocking the marine aquarium is not the same as stocking the freshwater aquarium. You don't mention the size of your tank. But you should read these posts too:
Fish Stocking Limit - for FO and FOWLR
and
What Size Tank is Right for That Fish?

There is one post that contains links to other topics you should look through when you have the chance -- a kind of Table of Contents:
Table/Contents - Link List

Once you've had the chance to read through the above and learn the basics, most of your questions will have been addressed. However, if you have more after doing the reading, don't hesitate to ask!

[Mizu]

Thank you tons for taking the time to link me to these, I was aware that there were a lot of guides but just like Google info I find them hard to sort and identify what's good and what's just .. not worth reading.

I'm a bit rusty with gallons but it's been OK'd for the smaller Clownfish and I'd say it's about 20G or so. I did read the FOWLR articles before setting up the tank and it's looking great, now it's basically just all about reading up on the CF specifically! My biggest worry is just keeping them without the anemone and how to be able to tell if one's knowledge and experience is enough to add one.

[Reefing Madness]

Thank you tons for taking the time to link me to these, I was aware that there were a lot of guides but just like Google info I find them hard to sort and identify what's good and what's just .. not worth reading.

I'm a bit rusty with gallons but it's been OK'd for the smaller Clownfish and I'd say it's about 20G or so. I did read the FOWLR articles before setting up the tank and it's looking great, now it's basically just all about reading up on the CF specifically! My biggest worry is just keeping them without the anemone and how to be able to tell if one's knowledge and experience is enough to add one.

The Clown Fish does not need the Anemone to stay healthy or alive. They will be just fine without it. In fact most CF that you see in the stores are aquacultured and have a hard time figuring out the anemone anyways.
http://www.clownfishsite.com/

[leebca]

The Anemone is unnecessary for the Anemonefishes. They will usually just stake out an area and call it their own. The 20 gallon is fine for one of the small species of Anemonefishes. But if you are interested in a pair, then I'd suggest going to the 29 gallon and choosing one of the small species of Anemonefishes. The pair, alone in that tank would be fine (and no Anemone is necessary).

[Mizu]

Thank you everyone for the replies and I apologize for the late reply! The tank that I set up is my sister's and I live on the other side of the world so I've been travelling back home.

I won't stress it with the anenome at all then. I'll focus on creating the right enviroment, got a lot of reading up to do! If the clown fish doesn't NEED a partner then I think my sister perhaps would rather get a clown fish and then later on a different kind. But one at the time, haha.

It's been over a week now though and my sister told me that the tank still isn't showing any signs of cycling, I myself knows how much time it takes in freshwater but since the saltwater tank both got bacteria live sand and live stones I am wondering a little about the cycling. When I was there I added more bacteria, something called Happy Life, after that I instructed them to each day add a different bacteria (more like a Food resource if I understood it all correctly) and they have been doing that.

I am just wondering.. originally we did buy a heater, but when setting up the tank my sister's boyfriend accidentally smashed it. They haven't had the chance to buy a new one just yet and I'm wondering if the water temperature could have anything to do with the cycling not kicking in yet? The filter media I changed into new spunges as the old ones were dried out anyway and all the other biorings etc are new.

They will not add any fish into there until they have a heater and the water is the right temp.