Best starting fish and coral to get?? - Page 2

pickles1994 · 10/07/2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSalty

For fish, I started with a pair of black ocellaris clowns which have been very peaceful and have gotten along well with the rest of their tankmates. For coral, I started out with a colt coral, which was one of the corals listed on thegrun's list of easy to keep corals. I've had good success with a couple of other corals on that list as well. If you're contemplating whether or not to get a protein skimmer, I would definitely get it.

What is the difference between the black and the orange ocellaris??
Ok thanks for your advice

pickles1994 · 10/07/2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefnut2010

What filtration do you have going. Are you planning a sump? That would definetely help with such a small tank and they're easy to set up. Give us more info on your set up or future plans for it. Problem with such small tanks is everything fluctuates to quickly.

Im not sure which filter it is because i got the filter off my borther but i was thinking of getting a hang on external filter as well as the one i already have?, i thought about a sump as well but was unsure with wether i needed it or not.
The tank is 75L / 20 gallons, i currently have 10kg of live sand and 7kg of live rock, i have a waterflow pump in the tank at the moment which is creating alot of flow within the tank which i think is good?
I am thinking of getting 2x clown fish and 2x firefish and was not sure on what corals i am wanting to get but the Hammer corals and frogspawns look nice.
thanks

DrSalty · 10/07/2011, 08:09 PM

The black and orange ocellaris are just different color variations. Here is a link to that shows a picture of both types (hope it works). Just a personal preference between which coloration you like.

http://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com...ck%20ocellaris

pickles1994 · 10/07/2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSalty

The black and orange ocellaris are just different color variations. Here is a link to that shows a picture of both types (hope it works). Just a personal preference between which coloration you like.

http://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com...ck%20ocellaris

Ok thankyou

Playerdrm · 10/07/2011, 08:28 PM

Still need to know what kind of light you have. Blue isn't clear enough, is it CF, T5, MH? how many watts. Lighting will play a big part in what you can keep coral wise.

Reefing Newbie · 10/07/2011, 08:40 PM

My advice, don't get a fish like a chromis unless you want it. As far as clowns go, I wouldn't add a pair, they will control the whole tank and make life for that one other fish horrible. My suggestion if you want clownfish is just get one. I personally would get one firefish(any of the three commonly available), yellow watchman goby w/pistol shrimp, and a white banded possum wrasse. Another option is to get a small group of the smaller gobies like clown gobies. I heard those can be pretty fun to watch.

pickles1994 · 10/08/2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playerdrm

Still need to know what kind of light you have. Blue isn't clear enough, is it CF, T5, MH? how many watts. Lighting will play a big part in what you can keep coral wise.

It is a LED moonlight Blue, it is 240 watts

snorvich · 10/08/2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeferstace

Read and research the fish you are interested in. It is better to look at long range plans and stock accordingly than to buy fish now because they are "cheap" or "easy". People who do this often find out later that they need to be removed because they are "not nice".

Things to consider with fish are compatability with other tankmates and tank size requirements. With corals you will need to consider what fish you plan to keep and what kind of lighting you have.

Excellent advice!

I personally like fairy and flsher wrasses. Many gobies and/or blennies would work in a tank of this size. You can also get away with a dwarf angel and/or a small (Ctenochaetus) tang.

No tang in a 20 gallon tank! Fairy and flasher wrasses really need more room as well.

snorvich · 10/08/2011, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefing Newbie

My advice, don't get a fish like a chromis unless you want it. As far as clowns go, I wouldn't add a pair, they will control the whole tank and make life for that one other fish horrible. My suggestion if you want clownfish is just get one. I personally would get one firefish(any of the three commonly available), yellow watchman goby w/pistol shrimp, and a white banded possum wrasse. Another option is to get a small group of the smaller gobies like clown gobies. I heard those can be pretty fun to watch.

Excellent advice. Especially about clownfish. Although A. ocellaris is relatively peaceful, a mated or bonded pair (once sexually mature) will own the tank.

rovster · 10/08/2011, 09:51 AM

Clownfish are great. They are fun to watch and are hardy as well. Gobies are also very cool. Just don't buy any fish or coral that have "special" requirements and you should be fine. Corals that need certain lighting, or fish and inverts that have very specific feeding requirements like SPS, Clams, sun polyps, mandarins, seahorses, long nose anything, or fish that need a large tank like tangs and angels and sharks, will be difficult for a beginner. There are a lot of good choices out there. As far as beginner corals, star polyps, mushrooms, zoas and leathers are a good start. Then you can try some LPS like frogspawn and hammers. Bottom line, if you have the room, and your water quality is up to par, you should be able to keep most things happy.

reeferstace · 10/08/2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

No tang in a 20 gallon tank! Fairy and flasher wrasses really need more room as well.

Steve is right. I thought the tank was 75 gallons.

pickles1994 · 10/08/2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovster

Clownfish are great. They are fun to watch and are hardy as well. Gobies are also very cool. Just don't buy any fish or coral that have "special" requirements and you should be fine. Corals that need certain lighting, or fish and inverts that have very specific feeding requirements like SPS, Clams, sun polyps, mandarins, seahorses, long nose anything, or fish that need a large tank like tangs and angels and sharks, will be difficult for a beginner. There are a lot of good choices out there. As far as beginner corals, star polyps, mushrooms, zoas and leathers are a good start. Then you can try some LPS like frogspawn and hammers. Bottom line, if you have the room, and your water quality is up to par, you should be able to keep most things happy.

Ok thankyou for the advice and help

pweissma · 10/08/2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

No tang in a 20 gallon tank! Fairy and flasher wrasses really need more room as well.

Lol, was reading the thread and was surprised nobody responded to this sooner. Good advice, especially about the tang.

I have a tank this size with a pink streaked wrasse, a flameback angel, 5 sexy shrimp and a skunk shrimp. Both fish are active swimmers and fun to watch. The angel is questionable in a tank this size and I may have to move it if it grows.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Bootes123 · 10/08/2011, 07:47 PM

I would start with an xenia.

ovrboost · 10/09/2011, 12:35 AM

nemos are always nice i think.....also a tang will help with the algae.

Fish Biscuit · 10/09/2011, 01:22 PM

blennies are fun & entertaining, check out the nano fish section on LA for ideas & they would be ok w/ a firefish or any of the gobies

pickles1994 · 10/10/2011, 05:35 AM

thanks for all the advice and help it is greatly appreciated

mssvp · 10/10/2011, 08:42 AM

I will be cycling tank with chromis only because they're good hardy fish to cycle tank with. I also like the schooling of the breed. Maybe couple clowns also... Not sure though.

mssvp

><((((•>

rovster · 10/10/2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssvp

I will be cycling tank with chromis only because they're good hardy fish to cycle tank with. I also like the schooling of the breed. Maybe couple clowns also... Not sure though.

mssvp

><((((•>

Oh boy.....

Playerdrm · 10/10/2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssvp

I will be cycling tank with chromis only because they're good hardy fish to cycle tank with. I also like the schooling of the breed. Maybe couple clowns also... Not sure though.

mssvp

><((((•>

Don't use chromis to cycle your tank. It's just wrong to cycle a tank with fish in it with.

WetShepherd · 10/10/2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssvp

I will be cycling tank with chromis only because they're good hardy fish to cycle tank with. I also like the schooling of the breed. Maybe couple clowns also... Not sure though.

mssvp

><((((•>

Cycling with fish is like teaching a dog not to pee in the house by kicking it. Don't do it. You can just as easily cycle without fish - either buy all live rock and let the tank cycle, drop a pinch of fish flakes in daily or use a piece of dead shrimp. Here is the detailed version.

pickles1994 · 10/10/2011, 11:03 PM

Thankyou for the help everyone
Just a quick update my tank has now cycled the nitrite, nitrate and amonia has gone down to 0 as of this morning and i will be going to get 2 fish and a coral tommorrow as my light arrived today as well

thanks

Fishbone · 10/11/2011, 06:38 AM

A pair of Clownfish would be great for that size tank. They don't require much room and are not big swimmers. They kind of hang out and have towns of personality. I would not start off with an anemone (hard to keep). Mushrooms are nice easy starter coral and should grow very fast for you. I know a few people recommended Chromis, which tend to be very hardy fish once established but don't ship well. If you do go chromis I would purchase from live aquaria, because they will make sure they are healty and eating before shipping out.

pickles1994 · 10/13/2011, 11:34 PM

Hay everyone immediate help would be awesome!!!
I brought a hammer coral and 2 clown fish yesterday, my coral is fine and going good my male clown fish is doing really well and swimming around but my female keeps just laying on the bottom and wont swim around much is there anything wrong???

SneakyPete · 10/14/2011, 08:23 AM

They will do that when they are showing signs of stress. How did you acclimate?

10/07/2011, 08:28 PM	#30
Playerdrm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 135	Still need to know what kind of light you have. Blue isn't clear enough, is it CF, T5, MH? how many watts. Lighting will play a big part in what you can keep coral wise. __________________ Reef Tanks: 29g, 55g, 58g FOWLR Tanks: 240g, 125g (In Progress)

10/09/2011, 01:22 PM	#41
Fish Biscuit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,164	blennies are fun & entertaining, check out the nano fish section on LA for ideas & they would be ok w/ a firefish or any of the gobies __________________ Michele I enjoy vodka entirely too much to share with the fish. Current Tank Info: 65 rimless with Eshopps R200 sump, current inhabitants randall goby, helfrichi, possum wrasse, barnacle blenny, mandarin, pistol, peppermint, & fire shrimp, snails, hermits, & LPS

10/10/2011, 08:42 AM	#43
mssvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 52 Blog Entries: 1	I will be cycling tank with chromis only because they're good hardy fish to cycle tank with. I also like the schooling of the breed. Maybe couple clowns also... Not sure though. mssvp ><((((•> __________________ mssvp ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><(((º>

10/13/2011, 11:34 PM	#49
pickles1994 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 39	Immediate help please!! Hay everyone immediate help would be awesome!!! I brought a hammer coral and 2 clown fish yesterday, my coral is fine and going good my male clown fish is doing really well and swimming around but my female keeps just laying on the bottom and wont swim around much is there anything wrong???

10/14/2011, 08:23 AM	#50
SneakyPete I see you Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northwestern Minnesota Posts: 513	They will do that when they are showing signs of stress. How did you acclimate? __________________ 40B in recovery mode Trumpet coral, Kenya tree, unknown Zoa Skunk Cleaner, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Royal Gramma Current Tank Info: 40B w 29 sump. 50 lbs rock

10/07/2011, 08:09 PM	#28
DrSalty Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 170	The black and orange ocellaris are just different color variations. Here is a link to that shows a picture of both types (hope it works). Just a personal preference between which coloration you like. http://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com...ck%20ocellaris

10/07/2011, 08:40 PM	#31
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	My advice, don't get a fish like a chromis unless you want it. As far as clowns go, I wouldn't add a pair, they will control the whole tank and make life for that one other fish horrible. My suggestion if you want clownfish is just get one. I personally would get one firefish(any of the three commonly available), yellow watchman goby w/pistol shrimp, and a white banded possum wrasse. Another option is to get a small group of the smaller gobies like clown gobies. I heard those can be pretty fun to watch.

10/08/2011, 09:51 AM	#35
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	Clownfish are great. They are fun to watch and are hardy as well. Gobies are also very cool. Just don't buy any fish or coral that have "special" requirements and you should be fine. Corals that need certain lighting, or fish and inverts that have very specific feeding requirements like SPS, Clams, sun polyps, mandarins, seahorses, long nose anything, or fish that need a large tank like tangs and angels and sharks, will be difficult for a beginner. There are a lot of good choices out there. As far as beginner corals, star polyps, mushrooms, zoas and leathers are a good start. Then you can try some LPS like frogspawn and hammers. Bottom line, if you have the room, and your water quality is up to par, you should be able to keep most things happy.

10/08/2011, 07:47 PM	#39
Bootes123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 27	I would start with an xenia.

10/09/2011, 12:35 AM	#40
ovrboost Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: irvine Posts: 97	nemos are always nice i think.....also a tang will help with the algae.

10/10/2011, 05:35 AM	#42
pickles1994 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 39	thanks for all the advice and help it is greatly appreciated

10/10/2011, 11:03 PM	#47
pickles1994 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 39	Thankyou for the help everyone Just a quick update my tank has now cycled the nitrite, nitrate and amonia has gone down to 0 as of this morning and i will be going to get 2 fish and a coral tommorrow as my light arrived today as well thanks

10/11/2011, 06:38 AM	#48
Fishbone Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: lockport,IL Posts: 210	A pair of Clownfish would be great for that size tank. They don't require much room and are not big swimmers. They kind of hang out and have towns of personality. I would not start off with an anemone (hard to keep). Mushrooms are nice easy starter coral and should grow very fast for you. I know a few people recommended Chromis, which tend to be very hardy fish once established but don't ship well. If you do go chromis I would purchase from live aquaria, because they will make sure they are healty and eating before shipping out.

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