PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ziss

Hello Everyone!

My name is Alita and I am new to this Forum and to this hobby. Well, not that new - I did have a saltwater all fish aquarium about 8 years ago, but it wasn't successful. Now I want to give it another try. This time I want to create a small reef tank. There is so much information online it makes my head spin!

Here is what I want from my aquarium:

I want a small tank (because I live in the apartment, and as a beginner, I don't want to start with a big one)

I want it to have live rock, soft corals (coral that are easy to maintain), a few fish - ones who can live in a smaller tank such as clown fish, a few shrimps and/or crabs, maybe a starfish. So I don't really need to have fancy fish that like big aquariums, I mainly want to be able to grow beautiful colorful soft corals!

Please advise me what is the smallest size (or the optimal size) tank I need to accomplish what I want from the tank.

I was thinking about getting the Bio Cube Nano Reef tank. Is this a good option? If yes, what would be the best size (8, 14, or 29 gal)? And should I get a standard one or HQI? I read that HQI is good if you want to keep hard corals, but at this time I just want some basic, easy to maintain soft corals. Would the lights and filters of standard Bio Cube be enough to grow soft corals?

Also, I currently have an opportunity to purchase a used, but in great condition 29 gallon Bio Cube that is already cycled, with a few pieces of live rock, snails and hermit, with stand and extra filter for $300! Should I get it??

I am really excited about starting this reef tank and I would be really greatful for any advise and comments!!! Thank you!

I think your strategy is excellent. Depending on the corals you wish to keep, the opportunity to get the used Bio cube sounds like a good deal. Lights will determine which corals you can effectively keep. A HQI is good for lighting if you want to keep SPS type corals but for most others, you would not need that intense lighting.

[ziss]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I think your strategy is excellent. Depending on the corals you wish to keep, the opportunity to get the used Bio cube sounds like a good deal. Lights will determine which corals you can effectively keep. A HQI is good for lighting if you want to keep SPS type corals but for most others, you would not need that intense lighting.

Thank you for your response! Do you think I should get the 29 gallon or 14 would be sufficient? How many fish would I be able to keep in the 14 gallon tank? Thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ziss

Thank you for your response! Do you think I should get the 29 gallon or 14 would be sufficient? How many fish would I be able to keep in the 14 gallon tank? Thanks!

.I would get the 29 gallon as it gives you more flexibility.

[ziss]

Originally Posted by snorvich

.I would get the 29 gallon as it gives you more flexibility.

Thank you for advice! I'm also looking into getting this setting:

- 30 gallon glass tank (36x12x18)
- Eheim ecco pro 2234
- 4-Lamp T5HO Light Fixtures
- hydor koralia 3 powerhead wavemaker

Is this a good setting for keeping all kinds of corals and fish, or is it good only for soft corals? How much this set up would cost? Which is better Bio Cube or this one?

Thank you so much for your comments!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ziss

Thank you for advice! I'm also looking into getting this setting:

- 30 gallon glass tank (36x12x18)
- Eheim ecco pro 2234
- 4-Lamp T5HO Light Fixtures
- hydor koralia 3 powerhead wavemaker

Is this a good setting for keeping all kinds of corals and fish, or is it good only for soft corals? How much this set up would cost? Which is better Bio Cube or this one?

Thank you so much for your comments!

this thread is really about fish. If you ask your question about which equipment to purchase as a separate thread on New to The Hobby, you will get LOTS of help.

[BrklynArch]

Just a wish list im sure a few of these guys arnt compatible or reef safe just throwing it out there haven't really dove into research regarding livestock yet...im a good 2 or so months away from adding water...so here goes
100g 48"x24"x20" rimless with 2 mp40's...mixed reef
2 clowns
1 yellow tang
1 blue tang
3 blue chromis
1 green spotted puffer
1 blenny
1 cleaner shrimp
2 emerald crabs
what ya think? again just starting to put together a list and looking for ideas so criticism is welcome with open fins

[Genin]

I have a 15gallon tank that currently has 2 percula clowns. My kids and I love the clowns but I have to admit they don't swim the tank much. Like most clowns they tend to hang in a corner (ie, their favorite area). I was thinking of getting a more active swimmer to increase the enjoyment of watching the tank. I would like the fish to be compatible with LPS corals, xenia, zoas, palys, etc. I was thinking a 6 line wrasse. Would that be a good choice? I use a minimalist aquascape btw so there's plenty of swim room.

any other suggestions besides 6 line?

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by BrklynArch

Just a wish list im sure a few of these guys arnt compatible or reef safe just throwing it out there haven't really dove into research regarding livestock yet...im a good 2 or so months away from adding water...so here goes
100g 48"x24"x20" rimless with 2 mp40's...mixed reef
2 clowns
1 yellow tang
1 blue tang
3 blue chromis
1 green spotted puffer
1 blenny
1 cleaner shrimp
2 emerald crabs
what ya think? again just starting to put together a list and looking for ideas so criticism is welcome with open fins

I would skip the "blue" tang, your tank just isn't long enough for that fish. Do you have a scientific name for the green spotted puffer? The only one that I am familiar with is a brackish fish.
What type of blenny?
What type of clowns?
Be aware that chromis can/will fight/kill each other off.

Originally Posted by Genin

I have a 15gallon tank that currently has 2 percula clowns. My kids and I love the clowns but I have to admit they don't swim the tank much. Like most clowns they tend to hang in a corner (ie, their favorite area). I was thinking of getting a more active swimmer to increase the enjoyment of watching the tank. I would like the fish to be compatible with LPS corals, xenia, zoas, palys, etc. I was thinking a 6 line wrasse. Would that be a good choice? I use a minimalist aquascape btw so there's plenty of swim room.

any other suggestions besides 6 line?

With a 15 gallon tank, I would just stick with the clowns. When/if they start to spawn they will claim the whole tank as theirs. If you do get a 3rd fish, I would suggest not making it a 6 line wrasse -- they are aggressive fish, and even more so in a small tank.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Genin

I have a 15gallon tank that currently has 2 percula clowns. My kids and I love the clowns but I have to admit they don't swim the tank much. Like most clowns they tend to hang in a corner (ie, their favorite area). I was thinking of getting a more active swimmer to increase the enjoyment of watching the tank. I would like the fish to be compatible with LPS corals, xenia, zoas, palys, etc. I was thinking a 6 line wrasse. Would that be a good choice? I use a minimalist aquascape btw so there's plenty of swim room.

any other suggestions besides 6 line?

Unfortunately, you are maxed out. Did you plan to remove your clownfish to add a six line wrasse?

[Reefing Newbie]

So tomorrow I am going to be picking up a complete 150 gallon SW setup for $750. I should say mostly complete as it needs more live rock and maybe more substrate. It comes with a 20gallon sump, protien skimmer, 2 T5 HO lights, heater, 150lbs crushed coral, 100lbs LR, large UV sterilizer, and a phosban filter. It also comes with 15 or so fish, but I am going to take those to my LFS for in store credit, too bad he doesn't usually do that for damsels.

Stocklist:
Fish
1 tribal blenny
2 black and white clowns
1 blue hippo tang
1 yellow watchman goby(maybe a pistol shrimp)
1 black cap basslet
3 neon gobies(maybe more help?)
a school of green chromis
1 Purple firefish
1 Flame Angel
1 Royal Pencil Wrasse
1 Yellow Tang
1 Naso Tang

Inverts
Several cleaner shrimp
Clean up crew(hermits and snails)
Eventually Corals(waiting to make sure I can handle the fish first)


With my size tank, would a pair of regualar Ocellaris clowns work if added at the same time as the B&W clowns?

Thanks

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Reefing Newbie

So tomorrow I am going to be picking up a complete 150 gallon SW setup for $750. I should say mostly complete as it needs more live rock and maybe more substrate. It comes with a 20gallon sump, protien skimmer, 2 T5 HO lights, heater, 150lbs crushed coral, 100lbs LR, large UV sterilizer, and a phosban filter. It also comes with 15 or so fish, but I am going to take those to my LFS for in store credit, too bad he doesn't usually do that for damsels.

Stocklist:
Fish
1 tribal blenny
2 black and white clowns
1 blue hippo tang
1 yellow watchman goby(maybe a pistol shrimp)
1 black cap basslet
3 neon gobies(maybe more help?)
a school of green chromis
1 Purple firefish
1 Flame Angel
1 Royal Pencil Wrasse Prolific jumper, difficult fish to keep
1 Yellow Tang
1 Naso Tang

Inverts
Several cleaner shrimp
Clean up crew(hermits and snails)
Eventually Corals(waiting to make sure I can handle the fish first)


With my size tank, would a pair of regualar Ocellaris clowns work if added at the same time as the B&W clowns?

No, only one pair of clowns per tank.


Thanks

[Reefing Newbie]

Okay thanks for answering the clownfish question. Any other species recommendation in place of the royal pencil wrasse? needs to be reef safe obviously. I want to make sure I have plenty of movement in the tank even though the tangs will probably handle it lol

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Reefing Newbie

Okay thanks for answering the clownfish question. Any other species recommendation in place of the royal pencil wrasse? needs to be reef safe obviously. I want to make sure I have plenty of movement in the tank even though the tangs will probably handle it lol

I personally would never put a naso in that sized tank. Is the tank covered?

[Reefing Newbie]

The tank is completly covered with a canopy. I have done my research online and got the multiple tangs idea from aquacorals.com, I then emailed my list to my lfs who didn't mention anything of the aquarium size being a problem. He simply said, "Each setup, even if identical runs differently, with each fish having their own personalities"

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Reefing Newbie

The tank is completly covered with a canopy. I have done my research online and got the multiple tangs idea from aquacorals.com, I then emailed my list to my lfs who didn't mention anything of the aquarium size being a problem. He simply said, "Each setup, even if identical runs differently, with each fish having their own personalities"

That is true that each individual fish will have different "personalities", however, that won't change the fact that an "Naso" will get way too big for that sized tank. Remember, the LFS is in the business of selling fish.

[mdeleon1]

Getting ready to make my first fish purchase this weekend. Wanting to create an active peaceful tank community. Going to be fish, snails and crabs for now.

What should first purchase be? Also, when do I start adding some Cuc?

How many?

Maybe chromis?

[Reefing Newbie]

Okay, I did more research into the "Naso" Tang([I]Naso lituratus [I]) they say they can get up to 18" and the largest ever measured was 18.1" and at least a 125 gallon aquarium is recommended, with 60 gallons being okay for juvies. I will head your advice on the "Naso". Would a Tennenti Surgeonfish or Chocolate Tang work in the Naso's place? And will a few flasher wrasses work in the place of the royal pencil wrasse?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Reefing Newbie

Okay, I did more research into the "Naso" Tang([I]Naso lituratus [I]) they say they can get up to 18" and the largest ever measured was 18.1" and at least a 125 gallon aquarium is recommended, with 60 gallons being okay for juvies. I will head your advice on the "Naso". Would a Tennenti Surgeonfish or Chocolate Tang work in the Naso's place? And will a few flasher wrasses work in the place of the royal pencil wrasse?

Yes, to both questions. However, it is not just the physical size of the Naso tang (although it will make your tank look small), it is the swimming patterns that they employ. Long, such as ten foot tanks, are really necessary for all of the Naso varieties.

[Reefing Newbie]

Okay thanks for the help and pointing out some of the flaws in my stock list. What kind of lighting would you recommend on the tank? I would do metal halide but a new fixture is more than what I am paying for the tank... Lighting tips would be helpful because after everything settles down in the tank, I would like to get a BTA or two and several corals.

[Closser]

I'm hoping to place an order for a few more fish from liveaquaria, but I wanted to double check first! My current tank mates are listed in my signature, and I'm hoping to add:

1 Catalina Goby
1 Royal Gramma
1 Zebra Barred Dartfish
1 Filamented Flasher Wrasse

Am I risking over crowding and/or compatibility issues? All are listed as 'peaceful' but better safe than sorry!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Reefing Newbie

Okay thanks for the help and pointing out some of the flaws in my stock list. What kind of lighting would you recommend on the tank? I would do metal halide but a new fixture is more than what I am paying for the tank... Lighting tips would be helpful because after everything settles down in the tank, I would like to get a BTA or two and several corals.

This thread is about fish. For best answers to lighting questions, post a question about this in regard to anemone keeping in the New to the Hobby forum as a separate question. I would think (as a non-anemone keeper) that MH would be best.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Closser

I'm hoping to place an order for a few more fish from liveaquaria, but I wanted to double check first! My current tank mates are listed in my signature, and I'm hoping to add:

Fish: purple firefish, PJ cardinal, yellow hogfish, spotted goby, ocellaris clownfish

1 Catalina Goby A cold water species that will not survive in a normally temperatured tank
1 Royal Gramma Excellent but requires caves and overhangs which is difficult in your sized tank
1 Zebra Barred Dartfish
1 Filamented Flasher Wrasse Needs a larger tank

Am I risking over crowding and/or compatibility issues? All are listed as 'peaceful' but better safe than sorry!

But you only have a 29 gallon tank! You are already overcrowded and that would be making the overcrowding worse

[Closser]

ok, glad I checked!

[Reefing Newbie]

Besides, if you added a flasher wrasse of any kind it would lose its color being the only flasher wrasse in the tank. To keep their color it is recommended to add two females for every male or add another male of a different flasher species.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Reefing Newbie

Besides, if you added a flasher wrasse of any kind it would lose its color being the only flasher wrasse in the tank. To keep their color it is recommended to add two females for every male or add another male of a different flasher species.

Actually that answer is not correct.