29 gallon Clownfish setup

[toruk]

Okay so I am trying to setup a fairly low maintenance clownfish tank. I am not interested in adding any other fish and I am not really interested in doing a full reef. Just a pair of clownfish and something for them to host that is it. So I want to go with the 29 gallon system. I have a couple questions on equipment and stocklist.

1) Originally I wanted to do a single or even pair of Maroons but I have been told they grow too large for this size tank? Is that true? If the maroons do get this big I will probably go with a pair of occelaris instead. Will they be fine in this size tank?

2) I want to do a clown and anemone combination but I realize anemones can be hard to keep. I am probably not going to add an anemone for 6-12months after the tank is running but what are your opinions on a bubble tip if I get the maroons? If I get the occelaris, will the bubble tip still be a good choice? I read they are the easier of the anemones to keep and I don't believe I have the skill or tank space for a mag or carpet. If not them then maybe a torch or hammer corral for the occelaris? I heard they can host corals but it is supposedly not good for the corals.

-I want to replace a lot of things in the 29(it will be a biocube) So I am just going to buy the tank without any of the extra stuff so I do not waste money. This is my supply and stock list as it stands.

"¢ Equipment
o 29 gallon biocube
o Cobalt MJ1200(pump to replace stock pump)
o Jebao w10(extra powerhead)
o Instant Ocean Sea Salt
o Tunze skimmer
o Heater(brand TBA)
o RO/DI system
o Live rock
o Live sand
"¢ Stocklist
o Maroon Clownfish pair
o Nassarius snails(3)
o Turbo snails(6)
o Blue legged hermit crabs(6)

Any suggestions and critique welcomed

 

[addictedreefer]

I think a pair of maroons would be fine in a tank that size if they are the only fish in the system. Do realize that once you set the tank up it will be very difficult to resist the urge to add more fish/corals. As for a host, I think a bta is your best bet for both the maroons and ocellaris. They are fairly easy to keep and I wouldn't bank on the clowns hosting a coral instead. Btas are the only natural host for maroons, so in terms of hosting I think you have the best shot with maroons.

 

[HumbleFish]

1) Originally I wanted to do a single or even pair of Maroons but I have been told they grow too large for this size tank? Is that true? If the maroons do get this big I will probably go with a pair of occelaris instead. Will they be fine in this size tank?

Ocellaris would be the better choice as they don't get anywhere near as large (or aggressive). So, you could probably add another small fish or two down the road. I know you say that doesn't interest you... but all it takes is seeing that "perfect fish" at the LFS.

2) I want to do a clown and anemone combination but I realize anemones can be hard to keep. I am probably not going to add an anemone for 6-12months after the tank is running but what are your opinions on a bubble tip if I get the maroons? If I get the occelaris, will the bubble tip still be a good choice? I read they are the easier of the anemones to keep and I don't believe I have the skill or tank space for a mag or carpet. If not them then maybe a torch or hammer corral for the occelaris? I heard they can host corals but it is supposedly not good for the corals.

BTA is your best bet, because they are relatively hardy. Maroons will usually take right to them (I believe BTA is the Maroon's natural host). Ocellaris will usually take to them in time, even though BTA is not a natural host.

 

[SwampyBill]

Occelaris or percula would do better in your tank & they're much more peaceful. Maroons can get up to 5"s & you'll probly need chain mail shark gloves to do tank maintenance when it attacks your hands... Any BTA should be fine for hosting them, although it's always a crapshoot if any clown will take to a nem. Good luck!

 

[toruk]

Thanks for the comments guys. It is the tenacity of the maroons that attracts me to them. Based on what I have read, they remind me a lot of freshwater central american cichlids which I love. I think I will go with the maroons. About how much water should I be changing a week and how necessary is the skimmer? I plan to eventually have one on the system but it may not be at the time of initial start up. Maybe a month or two in. Is there any other equipment I should get or not get?

 

[SwampyBill]

A skimmer is good idea, but not really a must have on smaller tanks so long as you keep up w/ weekly water changes. I did about 5gal wkly water change when I ran a 35 gal mixed tank for 2 yrs. w/o a skimmer. Good luck w/ the pitbull of the sea...

 

[toruk]

So out of curiosity, how often would I need to do water changes with the skimmer? I still have that freshwater mentality of large weekly water changes to keep nitrates down so it is weird for me to do so little water changes for a SW system.

 

[SwampyBill]

I'd do same amount with or without a skimmer. A skimmer is used to remove waste products from water, while a water change will lower nitrates & ammonia, etc.

 

[toruk]

Thanks so much for all the help! I am excited to get things going.

 

[MrClownReef]

I'm in the same boat. May be starting my reef once my brother gets his started as well.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Do yourself a favor and don't get the blue legged hermits. THey are murderous bastards and will kill snails just to kill them. Instead get the scarlet or red legged hermits. They are better cleaners and won't go killing just for sport.

 

[OrionN]

I you set on getting a Maroon Clown, I would set up a 40 gal breeder and keep BTA.

Beautiful natural host/clownfish trio. The easiest host anemone to keep. Beautiful colored anemone. Tank size is perfect for anemones, especially BTA. Fairly cheap to set up. Enough room under the tank if you want to set up filtration other than in tank. Good size for light. 29 gal high is too narrow.

 

[RG Rude]

Ocellaris would be the better choice as they don't get anywhere near as large (or aggressive). So, you could probably add another small fish or two down the road. I know you say that doesn't interest you... but all it takes is seeing that "perfect fish" at the LFS.



BTA is your best bet, because they are relatively hardy. Maroons will usually take right to them (I believe BTA is the Maroon's natural host). Ocellaris will usually take to them in time, even though BTA is not a natural host.

I agree with HumbleFish. I have done both Maroons and Skunk clowns in a 29 with RBTA's. The Maroon's hosted immediately. The skunks took a few days/week. They will both work fine. I had two RBTA's and I think that help smooth things over especially with the Maroon female. She was very aggressive as many have stated.

 

[RG Rude]

I you set on getting a Maroon Clown, I would set up a 40 gal breeder and keep BTA.

Beautiful natural host/clownfish trio. The easiest host anemone to keep.

Bigger is better and it would be hard to argue against a 40 breeder. The 29gal. AIO that the OP has selected will not be as narrow as an AGA. I used a 29 gal. AGA and had success. I also stay away from hermits altogether. I prefer to use Red Banded Trochus snails. They do an excellent job on everything but the sand and don't move things around like the Mexican Turbos. Plus if they fall on their backs they can right themselves.

 

[OrionN]

The curve front of the biocube is difficult to clean. I had the biocube and opted to get rid of it due to the curve surface. You will have to hand clean it rather than use magnet

 

[OrionN]

I would not use crab either. Get some smaller snails and get a population of Stomatella snails and you are set

 

[Malcolmfish]

I'm looking to do the exact same as above.

Wanting to get roughly a 120 litre tank, only want a couple of clownfish and nothing else. No urge to go out buying lots of fish.

What would you suggest as a good initial set up?

 

[TuckerB]

I have a 29 Biocube. Have two oscellarus clowns, a Caribbean Blenny and a circus goby. I purchased a bta and the larger clown was in it immediately. I felt bad for the little clown so I bought a second anemone. The larger clown now has two anemones and doesn't share. I had crabs but they killed off my snails so took them back. It is very entertaining to watch the clown interact with the anemone. I have a torch and a frogspawn. The clowns have never been in either and they have been there longer than then the anemones.