Coming back to salt

[leetch]

It's been a few years since I gave up the battle against green hair algae. The constant fight and the annoyance that my live rock could grow hair better than me took it's toll and I took down my tank.

I'm bringing back my tank and would like some advice on some fish. It's a 36g bowfront, hob filter no sump (no room), uv filter (debatable piece of equipment), dual wavemakers, no skimmer for now (again debatable piece of equipment - I've used AquaC Remore in the past and the production was poor), likely to add a phos reactor down the road.

Outside of the normal pair of clowns (probably of the maroon variety) what other fish would you recommend to make good tank mates in a reef environment. I only plan on softies, no stonies.

Some personal thoughts would be; firefish, sand sifting gobies, chalk bass...not sure if the tank is too small for dwarf angels.

Thanks all for your input, I look forward to getting the tank up and running again.

[Wandering]

Welcome back, remember to post photos!

[leetch]

Originally Posted by Wandering

Welcome back, remember to post photos!

Shall do - thanks. In the midst of cycling so should be a few weeks although the Nature's Ocean bio-activ reef sand and seawater from the Scripps pipe (San Diego) seemed to have really kicked off the process.

[hkgar]

Maroon can be mean. As can most clowns, but I have a pair of Ocellaris that are quite small and do not bother anything.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I'd skip maroon clowns in a tank that small. Once mature they will probably bully any and all other livestock. Ocellaris, cinnamon, or percula are probably better bets.

[leetch]

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

I'd skip maroon clowns in a tank that small. Once mature they will probably bully any and all other livestock. Ocellaris, cinnamon, or percula are probably better bets.

Thanks - didn't realize Maroons were so mean. I know Clowns in general are aggressive but have always been decent tank mates for me in the past....although I've used false percs.

Any other recommended tank friends?

[xCry0x]

Clowns get mean as they mature and start breeding - I had a pair of ocellaris that would bite the crap out of my hand once they started laying eggs. They are supposed to be the "peaceful" ones =)

Talk about fish etc is all fun but the bigger question, do you have a plan to battle hair algae this time?

You likely should consider running some sort of phosphate absorber especially if you plan to go skimmerless and as such have more nutrients in the water column.

You could throw a small bag of GFO in the back of your HOB filter.

If you are looking for HOB skimmers I am a fan of the Aquamaxx Hob-1. I used it in my original 20g tank (way overkill) and then moved it into my current RSM 250 to replace the stock skimmer. Works great imo.

[leetch]

Originally Posted by xCry0x

Clowns get mean as they mature and start breeding - I had a pair of ocellaris that would bite the crap out of my hand once they started laying eggs. They are supposed to be the "peaceful" ones =)

Talk about fish etc is all fun but the bigger question, do you have a plan to battle hair algae this time?

You likely should consider running some sort of phosphate absorber especially if you plan to go skimmerless and as such have more nutrients in the water column.

You could throw a small bag of GFO in the back of your HOB filter.

If you are looking for HOB skimmers I am a fan of the Aquamaxx Hob-1. I used it in my original 20g tank (way overkill) and then moved it into my current RSM 250 to replace the stock skimmer. Works great imo.

I remember being bitten by my clowns didn't hurt too much just more of a "how dare you" moment.

I plan on adding GFO once I start getting inhabitants. I will likely add a phos reactor down the road as well. Additionally I will be getting a large hob "sump" to grow some plants in. I have room on the side that I can use and hide if necessary. Just not enough room for a full sump.