New to this?

[Dow]

I'm thinking of getting a 3g pico soon and kinda want to put a green mandarin in there with maybe a little shrimp but while I have done research, I don't really know what to do. Any help?

[aquashelle]

Hey Ashley!

Well, to start with, get yourself a little tank, and get it cycling.
After letting it cycle, add your rock and once it's nicely mature in a couple weeks and your reading are right, you can begin to add fish.

Note: You can buy a chemical in little capsules (called Bio-digest I believe) that cycles the tank faster. It also helps to add nicely covered lr.

Be aware that evaporation will be very high if you have a strong light, so have top-off freshwater at hand at all times, and be sure to have salt and RO/DI water (from walmart for ex.) handy so you can always change out a percentage.

They say the larger the tank, the easier it is to care for.

As far as your choice of fish goes, a mandarin might not be the greatest choice, since they feed on pods, and I din't think you could stably keep one well fed in a 3 gal, since the pods would be wiped out completely in a day, and you'd have to reseed them.

I know most people don't suggest a mandarin in anything less than a 75, or that's what I've heard at least, due to their demanding diet.

The shrimp should be alright though!
I can come help you shop for the right supplies and do set-up if you'd like.

[Dow]

Hmph... Darn. lol. They're so pretty. I'll do some research on dwarf fishes cause I really want a little fish or something in addition to a shrimp.

But that would be awesome if you could help me. The guy I'm getting it from has some "dead live rock" and I don't know where to get anything so that would be awesome. Anything cheap, donated... Anything would be helpful! lols Including knowledge!

[aquashelle]

Sorry! I don't mean to ruin your plans, I just know it's really hard to keep them alive, without running another tank just to raise their food.

You could probably do a little clown, or goby, which would be pretty cool. The little molly-miller blennies I catch from Galveston sure have a "puppy" personality, but they aren't that colorful...which is what I bet you're looking for :)

Gl deciding what to get!

[Dow]

Nah, It's alright. I'm looking at goby and shrimp combo. lol. Probably just a little cleaner and a... I think they're called "sand blaster Gobys". IDK. But yeah, I'm doing a bunch of research. What I really need is some live rock, first off. lol

[aquashelle]

Marshreef is the best place to get lr, that wzy you don't generally pay more then 2/lb.

I love the little combos, that will be a great tank!

[Darbex]

There isnt many fish you can put in a 3G. If you want fish i wouldnt go smaller than a 20 or so. In a 3G all your going to be able to keep is corals and maybe a shrimp. Gobies/Blennys get to big IMO

[Dow]

I've been reading that. Hmmm... Sigh. I don't have room for anything bigger, unfortunately but a dwarf goby would be prob the only thing I could keep because, while expencive and hard to get, they stay pretty small.

[Jose]

A 3g is going to a little hard to keep up with since you are new to saltwater. I wouldn't keep any fish in a 3g. I had a 2g with some corals but didn't last long since I didn't keep up with it. I went from a 2g to a 260g : ) I'd say go for your 3g but with corals/inverts. I'll give you a live rock thats about 3lbs. I can even give you some anthellia(coral).

[thatboydavid]

i had a small clown in my 3 for a long time..i had mostly corals in it..taking care of the tank was alot easier than i though..all i did was daily top off and weekly water changes, which was just half gal..hey dow let me know if you still want it..i got another guy asking for it.