40g Breeder clown / Nem / LPS tank...

[Thinslis]

How many clowns do you think would go good in a 40 breeder?

The tank is in the planning stages now so here are my current thoughts.

Lights:
1x 150w MH 2 x 36" T5

Flow:
Vortec MP40 + Mag 5 returning from sump (about 2000gph of total flow)

Sand / Rock:
1" sand in bottom 40-45lbs rock

Skimmer:
Euro Reef RS-80

Sump:
30g with fuge

I want the clowns and nems to be the feature of the tank. I would like LPS to fill in and probably a couple filler fish. So my questions are.

A. Are there any issues with this plan?
B. How many clowns would be the sweet spot for this tank?
C. Would I need to have the Nems in before I add the clowns, or can they be added over time?

Thank you!

 

[garygb]

With a Vortech on a 40 gallon I would wonder about sand storms from such high flow. Have you considered which species of anemone? With a 150 MH and two T-5 HOs, assuming you have good brand bulbs and color temps, you should be able to keep any species of anemone you want. If you are new to anemones, then the usual recommendation is to start with a BTA (either rose or green) as these are the most hardy. Natural symbiont clownfish that are commonly found are tomato, maroon, and clarkii (other species such as ocellaris and sometimes percula will also make E. quadricolor their home). If you had a lot of experience, I would say a 40 gallon breeder tank with the equipment you mention would make a good home for a S. gigantea and a family of ocellaris, percula or skunks. However, gigantea are especially hard to find in good shape after collection and transport. From what I understand, if you're lucky enough to get a really healthy one, then they can be quite hardy--which is also true of H. magnifica and H. crispa, other choices you might consider, but again are recommended for those with experience successfully keeping E. quadricolor (BTAs). You seem to want to keep more than just a pair of clowns. Ocellaris, perculas, clarkii and skunks, and I'm sure other species, are found in the wild in groups. There will be the dominant male/female and then several intermediate males that remain smaller in size waiting to replace f the dominant male in the event he disappears. You would want to obtain several juveniles and allow the peaking hierarchy to develop naturally. In a 40 gallon, I would not have more than 5 clowns. You're thinking about top-notch equipment, good for you. In the long run, you generally get what you pay for with aquarium equipment. In that 30 gallon fuge, I would suggest you have a chaetomorpha chamber, with appropriate PC lighting and also a remote deep sand bed. No need for any sand, but if you want lots of pods (i.e., sump/refugium) then coral rubble on the bottom beneath the chaeto would make a good environment for mysids, pods, etc. The nice thing about a large sump like you're considering is that you can hide equipment (heater, protein skimmer, etc.) plus it makes for a larger water volume. With your sump return, using the mag, consider a Sea Swirl, or other reliable wave maker. All anemones prefer the random flow produced by these devices.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Do you have any idea of what type of anemone you plan on keeping? Might have to decrease the flow depending on that, and might have to increase the sandbed depth.

Would only go with 2 clowns.

 

[Thinslis]

I will be doing BTAs at first. I had good success with the last BTA I had in my 150. It even survived a tank crash due to power outage. Its now living with another local reefer.

I like what Mobert has done with the Nems dominant on one side... the Cleveland zoo also has a Clown / Nem tank that is full of BTA and it is just awsome to watch...

I was thinking 6 would be a good number with a total fish count no higher then 8.

I like the Vortec because it is controllable but I'm not totally sold on the idea yet... I would go with a heavy sand in the bottom to keep movement down. Like a crushed coral or something...

The return pump I chose the Mag 5 because it will give me 400gph after head... and I already have one =) I used it for water changes on my 150 so its cost effective =)

The sump will be split Sump / Fuge, I don't have enough room for a 30g fuge alone... would be nice but can't do.

 

[garygb]

Ah, good to hear you're going with BTAs, they seldom disappoint. I would say, if you go with maroon or tomato clowns, don't think about having several in the same tank. There may be exceptions, but those species are generally quite aggressive. You mention Mobert's set up. I believe she has percs with hers, progeny of a breeding pair she has, right? I suppose you could recreate, on a smaller scale, her setup.

 

[Thinslis]

Well my goal is not to recreate but to use as inspiration =) I look to expand past BTA after a long period of success. I've had my "jump the gun" moments and have learned from them.

I have also learned my lesson from using second rate equipment, I got second rate results.

 

[garygb]

I'm sure you will get it just like you want it. I noticed, there's a thread on here by Mobert that is recent. She says that she doesn't recommend several clowns together, but that her percs get along because they are siblings.

 

[Thinslis]

I agree with Mobert, If I were to try for 6 clowns I would contact a breeder and get them from the same clutch.

I just got a good deal on a Vortech so I'll give that a try and see how it works. If it doesn't I'll remove it and sell it...