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04/17/2008, 10:36 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Lansing, MI
Posts: 136
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Do I need a fish or two?
I've been creating my 20g reef tank over the last month or two.
So far I've got 20-25lbs of LR, 5 hermits, 5 Astreas, 3 Ceriths, 4 Nassarius snails, and a peppermint shrimp. I recently added a small Zoa colony, xenia colony, and a mushroom. I was just reading through another thread, and it never really occurred to me, that maybe I need a fish or two, to create detritus and provide excess food for the corals to eat? I always planned on getting at least a smaller Blenny and maybe a dartfish or two, but I wanted to make sure that the tank was healthy and stable first. I have been supplementing the CUC with shrimp pellets here and there, and was under the impression that all my corals would be fine (though may benefit) without feeding. Maybe it's the appropriate time for a fish or two? Any input is appreciated, Thanks! |
04/17/2008, 10:39 PM | #2 |
Moved On
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: el paso tx
Posts: 7,634
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FOr better coral growth then fish do help though not needed.I like to think of fish as part of the CUC , and a few for eye candy. If you have enough fish then there feeding will also feed the coral.If there fead right and flow is proper.
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04/17/2008, 11:19 PM | #3 |
Premium Member
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Do you need a fish? Probably not -- keep in mind, you've got worms, pods and a shrimp in the tank which are all creating detritus for the corals to consume (should they need it). Then again, if you want a fish, and all your water levels are in check, I say go for it! 20g is a fairly small tank, so go slow (sounds like you're excellent at taking your time) and add one at a time.
I think a blenny would be a great choice; I adore my midas, he's a tank favourite. You might consider a clown goby as well -- very low bioload, but tremendous personality. I miss mine every day, I'd love to get another one but it can be tough to find one that's eating well at the LFS.
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"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC. |
04/17/2008, 11:48 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Lansing, MI
Posts: 136
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Thanks for the fast responses!
AC - I definitely want a fish, I adore them, I've just been hesitant because this is my first reef tank and I want to take it slow. I want everything to be perfect for the fish. I really need to get some better testing equipment as well (all I have is a basic kit). I saw a midas at the LFS today, they are awesome! And the clown goby looks cool too, especially the green ones; I love that big head, haha. My LFS had a few Linear Blennies (Ecsenius lineatus) a few weeks ago, and I got a real kick out of them, so I think I'm gonna have them order one for me. |
04/17/2008, 11:56 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Amishville, USA
Posts: 2,047
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in reef tanks I like to get fish that perform a task, or as demonsp said are part of the CUC. Blennies are great at this because some of them eat algae. Ofcourse, this shouldn't be the only selling point for you to get a fish. The most important thing to remember about having a small tank is: get the fish that you want (as long as its not a bad idea ie a tang or grouper) because you will probably not have the room to just get it later. I waited 7 months for a healthy sixline wrasse that didn't ship to the store sick. The whole time I saw fish that I though were cool, but in the back of my mind I knew I still wanted a sixline. Finally one came in and I was super happy with it, more so than I would have been with any other fish. It sounds like a sappy story, but what it boils down to is you got limited room so do it right the first time.
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Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work. |
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