New Fluval 13.5 with clowns

Luckynewreef · 04/17/2018, 09:16 AM

Hey everyone, new to the hobby. I recently got a tank set up with water, live sand, and live rock from my LFS. I used the excuse that my little girl would Love fish for her birthday. So after it cycled, we went looking for a pair of clown fish. They ended up selling us 2 different clown fish from 2 different tanks saying they would pair well being that one was bigger then the other and would be easier the 2 of the same size.( I initially went in there looking for the different pairs that were in the same tank) Anyways we took them home and floated them for 30 min then just released them per the stores advice, after I asked about drip acc. They seemed to do well at first swam right up to each other. But now it seems like the bigger one aggressors towards the smaller one often. And they both hang out at the top for the most part and not together, the smaller one right by the overflow, and the bigger one right by the return. Also I think I over feed them the first couple days because I got alot seem to me of algea but the food swirled around right into the overflow.

Should I turn my pump off for feedings?
Do I need more rock for the fish to feel safe at?
What do you guys think about everything?

Sugar Magnolia · 04/17/2018, 09:21 AM

When you say they sold you two different clowns from separate tanks, does that mean they are different species of clowns?

Luckynewreef · 04/17/2018, 10:00 AM

No sorry I should of been more specific they are both ocellaris clownfish.

ICE JUICE · 04/17/2018, 10:09 AM

It will be a little bickering between the clowns because the females try and keep the males in line lol. They also will take to the top portion of the tank near the powerhead or overflow. Its totally normal behavior as far as I have seen. As far as the food, I turn my tanks off or should I say put my tanks in feed mode when I feed to limit the waste of food going into the overflow and becoming a nutrient problem.

Luckynewreef · 04/17/2018, 10:19 AM

Here's a picture

mcgyvr · 04/17/2018, 10:29 AM

Algae should 100% be expected..
Typically tanks post cycle go through the "ugly stages" in which you get diatom (brown dust like) growth then green hair/film algae and sometimes even some cyanobacteria.. Usually in that order too..
But algae just needs nutrients and light and its going to grow..
Typically the algae problems subside as a tank "matures" some provided you keep nutrient (nitrate/phosphate) levels low..
Foods are quite high in phosphates so avoiding overfeeding goes a long way at preventing phosphate issues..

Water changes are also your friend there.. What equates to about 20% of the water should be changed every 2 weeks or so.. Something like a 2G or so weekly water change would be really helpful at keeping parameters in check..

You would benefit greatly from spending time learning about this hobby..
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074
IF you have the patience to wade through that you will be very well off in the long run..

mtgmichaelg · 04/17/2018, 07:49 PM

I would definitely turn off your pumps for feeding, or at least your return pump. Once the food goes down the overflow, it is just going to sit there and pollute your tank.

nereefpat · 04/18/2018, 07:23 AM

Folks do report aggression between clowns before they pair. It's part of the process, as one becomes dominant and female.

That being said, they may pair and they may not. 13.5 gallons is pretty darn small for a pair of clowns by the way.

04/17/2018, 09:16 AM	#1
Luckynewreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 3	New Fluval 13.5 with clowns Hey everyone, new to the hobby. I recently got a tank set up with water, live sand, and live rock from my LFS. I used the excuse that my little girl would Love fish for her birthday. So after it cycled, we went looking for a pair of clown fish. They ended up selling us 2 different clown fish from 2 different tanks saying they would pair well being that one was bigger then the other and would be easier the 2 of the same size.( I initially went in there looking for the different pairs that were in the same tank) Anyways we took them home and floated them for 30 min then just released them per the stores advice, after I asked about drip acc. They seemed to do well at first swam right up to each other. But now it seems like the bigger one aggressors towards the smaller one often. And they both hang out at the top for the most part and not together, the smaller one right by the overflow, and the bigger one right by the return. Also I think I over feed them the first couple days because I got alot seem to me of algea but the food swirled around right into the overflow. Should I turn my pump off for feedings? Do I need more rock for the fish to feel safe at? What do you guys think about everything?

04/17/2018, 09:21 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	When you say they sold you two different clowns from separate tanks, does that mean they are different species of clowns? __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/17/2018, 10:29 AM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Algae should 100% be expected.. Typically tanks post cycle go through the "ugly stages" in which you get diatom (brown dust like) growth then green hair/film algae and sometimes even some cyanobacteria.. Usually in that order too.. But algae just needs nutrients and light and its going to grow.. Typically the algae problems subside as a tank "matures" some provided you keep nutrient (nitrate/phosphate) levels low.. Foods are quite high in phosphates so avoiding overfeeding goes a long way at preventing phosphate issues.. Water changes are also your friend there.. What equates to about 20% of the water should be changed every 2 weeks or so.. Something like a 2G or so weekly water change would be really helpful at keeping parameters in check.. You would benefit greatly from spending time learning about this hobby.. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074 IF you have the patience to wade through that you will be very well off in the long run.. __________________ Who me?

04/18/2018, 07:23 AM	#8
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Folks do report aggression between clowns before they pair. It's part of the process, as one becomes dominant and female. That being said, they may pair and they may not. 13.5 gallons is pretty darn small for a pair of clowns by the way. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

04/17/2018, 10:00 AM	#3
Luckynewreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 3	No sorry I should of been more specific they are both ocellaris clownfish.

04/17/2018, 10:09 AM	#4
ICE JUICE Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 75	It will be a little bickering between the clowns because the females try and keep the males in line lol. They also will take to the top portion of the tank near the powerhead or overflow. Its totally normal behavior as far as I have seen. As far as the food, I turn my tanks off or should I say put my tanks in feed mode when I feed to limit the waste of food going into the overflow and becoming a nutrient problem.

04/17/2018, 07:49 PM	#7
mtgmichaelg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Miami, FL (Coral Gables) Posts: 90	I would definitely turn off your pumps for feeding, or at least your return pump. Once the food goes down the overflow, it is just going to sit there and pollute your tank.