Need some ideas for stocking tank

Chrisq0904 · 07/25/2013, 08:00 PM

Im new to saltwater aquariums but have had a freshwater for a few years now. I have a small Hex tank with about 2" live sand and 38lbs of live rock. I just recieved my custom cuc which was all snails. Prior to that I had 2 emerald crabs and 2 peppermint shrimp. My tank is a 36 Hex. I couldnt find any way for me to possibly fit a sump to use for filtration. I currently have a canister filter with UV, I know that for saltwater they are frowned upon but I plan on adding a HOB protein skimmer in the future once I start adding fish.

So far I was thinking of doing an anemone with a mated pair of clowns (dont know which exact ones though). I was also thinking of adding a goby or two and possibly a barnacle blenny. Lastly I was going to do a variety of different corals.

I know this all cant be added at once but I just wanted to make just that first this set up is ok for a beginner? If not what should I take away/change? Lastly is there any specific order I should add all of these or does it not matter?

Thanks in advanced
-Chris

Fish_King_25 · 07/25/2013, 10:07 PM

Hey Chris, welcome to the dark side

you will absolutely love the SW side of things I'm sure of it. A couple of quick things...
1. How long has your tank been set up? Is it cycled??
2. What are your of parameters and what brand test kits are you using?
3. What livestock do you currently have in your tank?

Fish_King_25 · 07/25/2013, 10:08 PM

Hey Chris, welcome to the dark side

you will absolutely love the SW side of things I'm sure of it. A couple of quick things...
1. How long has your tank been set up? Is it cycled??
2. What are your of parameters and what brand test kits are you using?
3. What livestock do you currently have in your tank?

Omen1090 · 07/26/2013, 12:56 AM

Hex tanks are tall and narrow so I would recommend some gobies and clowns.

lurch71 · 07/26/2013, 06:06 AM

I suggest a diamond goby they keep the sand nice and clean

dkeller_nc · 07/26/2013, 07:20 AM

One thing you may wish to consider is that a single clownfish may wind up being relatively peaceful, or at least not totally aggressive. Mated and breeding clowns, however, are a different story. They will strongly defend what they see as their territory, which may not work out well for the other fish in a smallish tank.

If you wish to take the risk, I would strongly suggest that the clownfish be added last. That will give the other fish that you wish to keep a chance to explore the tank and find a familiar shelter if things get boisterous.

crsswift70 · 07/26/2013, 07:32 AM

As far as anemones, i would suggest a bubble tip. Fairly common and hardy. They don't get too large and a lot of different clowns will take to them. My clowns (false perculas) don't mind the other fish in the tank.

Chrisq0904 · 07/26/2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish_King_25

Hey Chris, welcome to the dark side

you will absolutely love the SW side of things I'm sure of it. A couple of quick things...
1. How long has your tank been set up? Is it cycled??
2. What are your of parameters and what brand test kits are you using?
3. What livestock do you currently have in your tank?

My tank has been up for almost a month now. I dont think my tank is fully cycled yet because I still have some nitrates in the tank. I just did my first 5gallon water change yesterday.

PH: about 8.2
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: seems to be between 5-10ppm

Those results are from the API saltwater master test kit.

So far I have a 2 peppermint shrimp, 2 emerald crabs and a CUC which consists of about 20 dwarf cerith, 6 nassarius vibex, 8 florida cerith and 8 nerite snails. Still waiting for my nitrates to drop before I go ahead and add any fish.

PS: Thank you to everyone for the suggestions!

07/25/2013, 08:00 PM	#1
Chrisq0904 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 1,209	Need some ideas for stocking tank Im new to saltwater aquariums but have had a freshwater for a few years now. I have a small Hex tank with about 2" live sand and 38lbs of live rock. I just recieved my custom cuc which was all snails. Prior to that I had 2 emerald crabs and 2 peppermint shrimp. My tank is a 36 Hex. I couldnt find any way for me to possibly fit a sump to use for filtration. I currently have a canister filter with UV, I know that for saltwater they are frowned upon but I plan on adding a HOB protein skimmer in the future once I start adding fish. So far I was thinking of doing an anemone with a mated pair of clowns (dont know which exact ones though). I was also thinking of adding a goby or two and possibly a barnacle blenny. Lastly I was going to do a variety of different corals. I know this all cant be added at once but I just wanted to make just that first this set up is ok for a beginner? If not what should I take away/change? Lastly is there any specific order I should add all of these or does it not matter? Thanks in advanced -Chris

07/25/2013, 10:07 PM	#2
Fish_King_25 Reef Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 826	Hey Chris, welcome to the dark side you will absolutely love the SW side of things I'm sure of it. A couple of quick things... 1. How long has your tank been set up? Is it cycled?? 2. What are your of parameters and what brand test kits are you using? 3. What livestock do you currently have in your tank? __________________ ~Kenny~ 29g mixed reef lps, sps, and softies, 10g sump/fuge, cadlights pls-100 skimmer, LifeReef overflow with Mag 7 return pump, Tunze ATO, 2 Koralias, 4x24w T5HO ATIs w/ moonlight LEDs Current Tank Info: Green Chromis, Yellow Clown Goby, Green Mandarin, Diamond Goby, Percula Clown, and CUC

07/25/2013, 10:08 PM	#3
Fish_King_25 Reef Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 826	Hey Chris, welcome to the dark side you will absolutely love the SW side of things I'm sure of it. A couple of quick things... 1. How long has your tank been set up? Is it cycled?? 2. What are your of parameters and what brand test kits are you using? 3. What livestock do you currently have in your tank? __________________ ~Kenny~ 29g mixed reef lps, sps, and softies, 10g sump/fuge, cadlights pls-100 skimmer, LifeReef overflow with Mag 7 return pump, Tunze ATO, 2 Koralias, 4x24w T5HO ATIs w/ moonlight LEDs Current Tank Info: Green Chromis, Yellow Clown Goby, Green Mandarin, Diamond Goby, Percula Clown, and CUC

07/26/2013, 12:56 AM	#4
Omen1090 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 66	Hex tanks are tall and narrow so I would recommend some gobies and clowns.

07/26/2013, 06:06 AM	#5
lurch71 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: oregon Posts: 55	I suggest a diamond goby they keep the sand nice and clean

07/26/2013, 07:20 AM	#6
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	One thing you may wish to consider is that a single clownfish may wind up being relatively peaceful, or at least not totally aggressive. Mated and breeding clowns, however, are a different story. They will strongly defend what they see as their territory, which may not work out well for the other fish in a smallish tank. If you wish to take the risk, I would strongly suggest that the clownfish be added last. That will give the other fish that you wish to keep a chance to explore the tank and find a familiar shelter if things get boisterous.

07/26/2013, 07:32 AM	#7
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	As far as anemones, i would suggest a bubble tip. Fairly common and hardy. They don't get too large and a lot of different clowns will take to them. My clowns (false perculas) don't mind the other fish in the tank.