A question to all fish keepers from a newbie

[Nyx]

So for my birthday I will be getting fish!
However I am entirely new to this and don't really know where to start.
I was wondering if any of you out there had any tips or opinions?
What we are planning/hoping is to get a 40 gallon tank.
We are going to set up a reef aquascape.
The one fish that we will surely be getting is a Black and white Percula Clownfish (a pair). Every other fish,plant, rock, etc. will be selected to be compatible with this fish.
There are a few other fish we want to get to have variety in the tank. A pair of: Blue Green Chromis, Purple Firefish, and Fridman's Pseudochromis.
I would also love to have live rock/plants/sand. And an anemone for the clownfish :3.
So here are my questions:
Is a 40 gallon tank enough for all of these fishes?
Do you have any tips/advice for how to take care of them and the rest of the aquarium?
Is there anything you think would be better (such as set up, or maybe another fish i should have instead)?
And just tell me what you think in general. :3
Please and thank you.
(also, I'm the type of person who tackles things no mater how difficult, and will do loads of research beforehand. For this whole project I have looked up from fish health, to breeding, to ecosystems, to aquascaping, and soon to fixing tanks an equipment. So please do share anything and everything you might know :D)

[New York Mermaid]

Saltwater tanks maintainence can be pretty expensive and high maintainence. (ive kept fish for 20+yrs and even had a seahorse tank for a while)

you need to ask your self these questions first:
Do you want fish only? or fish with live rock?
Are you able to put quite a bit of time into the tank/ fish?
Should problems arise with fish (bullying, sick fish etc) will you have a seperate quarantine tank?
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Either way have you kept fish before?? Im curious...for a saltwater tank you need a minimum of 2 months to properly set- the parameters as ph and other issues can arise before even putting your fish in. I personally go by the 8 gal per fish rule (usualy its 5 gal but even 5 gal per fish doesnt seem.. enough)

you can read a bit about setting up a tank here: http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/startinganaquarium/ss/sbsaquariumsetupin10steps.htm
(http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/startinganaquarium/ss/sbsaquariumsetupin10steps.htm)as for tankmates, anyone in the damsel family can be a bit.. aggressive, but I heard Midas Blennys and /or a pair of Banggai Cardinals make good tankmates especially around clownfish..

I personally suggest joining a saltwater fishkeeping forum and do your research on there as well, though the internet can give some answers, personal experienced fishkeepers via forum can give you more tips, advice and also share information should a fish become ill and google isnt helping find an answer. I've had a great experience on this forum : http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/

[Nyx]

I had two goldfish back when I was around 5.
But I wouldn't count it as having fish at all. It was a bowl filled with water from the tap, you can imagine what happened after a while ... I cried for days. <-- This is the reason you don't give fishes as thank you gifts for going to a birthday party (that's how I got them)
Thank you so much for all the info!
I will make sure to check out both sites and to take into great consideration what you've told me.

[New York Mermaid]

anytime dear, if you have any other questions i'd be glad to help

[Raivynn]

Goldfish don't go in bowls. :(

[Nyx]

@MermaidLanai thank you very much :>
@Raivynn I wish someone would have told my mom that ; ^;

[Raivynn]

It's a common misconception that goldfish always die ... but if you look at how people keep them, it's no wonder why. :) I have 3 goldfish in a 75 gallon tank. :)

[New York Mermaid]

lol i have a little ryukin in a 55 gal, he's the leader of my misfit tank. he makes me giggle because when i first introduced him in there all the bigger fish were like "RUNNNNNNN" now they follow him everywhere

[Raivynn]

My goldfish (Hawaii, Ghost, and Orange) are a group of misfits, too. Hawaii is a Bristol-tail comet that is black/green/bronze (wild color), Ghost is a matte-white calico fantail (he doesn't really have any orange or red -- he's black, white, and blue), and Orange is an orange and white comet. :) Love these guys. I also have a koi in the tank named Tiny ... because he is literally no bigger than my pinkie finger.

[New York Mermaid]

LOL My little guy is named Scott (south park reference..here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqajY7NuOKQ)
but he isint at all a meany.. my hubby though it would be cute to name him that probably cause of his introduction to the others.. i got him when he was the size of a quarter

[Spindrift]

Make sure you know where the pet store gets their fish from. Otherwise you might accidentally support the illegal aquarium trade, which destroys a lot of natural ecosystems.

[Nyx]

Make sure you know where the pet store gets their fish from. Otherwise you might accidentally support the illegal aquarium trade, which destroys a lot of natural ecosystems.
Oh true! I forgot about this one! thank you.