roby asked:


I’m going to start a 46 gallon fish only marine aquarium. I’ve never done a freshwater before, and yes i know it’s tough to jump straight to saltwater but i’m still going to do it.

I’m going to buy the following:

Proper PH
Master liquid test kit saltwater
sand
aquaball power head172gph
amquel+ liquid
penguin biowheel power filter 200
hydrometer w/ liquid crystal thermometer
water conditioner
heater
salt

Does that seem to be everything I will need? I was thinking about getting a protein skimmer, but they’re too pricey right now. will a biowheel work for me? Its only 46 gal so im not gonna have too many fish so is a canister necessary?

I know it depends on the fish I buy, but with my tank, i’m probably looking at about 5 fish in there right? If that’s the case, is it really worth it? My worry is that i”m gonna put all this time/money and have a tank that looks empty and it’s not gonna be worth it.
Also, how do the plants work. I don’t want to get live rock or any of that. It’s just too much, but i do want my tank to look nice. can i put live plants in there that just look nice and are easily maintained, or do i have to put fake ones??

and about the substrate, does it matter what i use? i want to use sand is that alright, and if it is, does it matter what type, like does it have to be live sand or anything?

I want to get as colorful fish as possible, and as big as possible, but that’s not really gonna happen cuz the i want tangs and stuff and they need 80+ gallons for the most part. I’m probably gonna get clownfish and other small fish.