Clowns as a main attraction

P

pammy

Member
Hello. I'm setting up my first Salt Water FOWLR Tank (54g corner). Trying to decide what I want to have as the "main attraction" so I can decide on what other fish I can add. I decided I want a clown, or a pair of clowns that will host in an anenome as the main attraction.

Is it better to add the clowns and anenome first, or should I add other fish to the tank before adding clown fish?

Should the Anenome go in first, and then the clown, or can they go in at the same time?

How long should I wait to add a clown and anenome once the tank has fully cycled?

Which type of clown and which Anenome will I most likely have the best chance of getting to pair up?

Am I better off getting a single clown or a pair of clowns?

Anything I should absolutely NOT put in my tank if I have a clown and anenome?

Thanks so much!
Pam
 
Are you aware that once adding an anemone the tank will not be Fowlr and will now need to have the same water quality as a full blown reef ? if so how do you plan to light the tank?
definetly read and ask questions here about all the types of clownfish and anemone before you decide

you must wait a long time 5 to 6 months before you can add an anemone they need very good water quality
what other fish are you planning?
 
Thanks GSMguy. Hmm...I guess you're right, it won't be a FOWLR tank. I thought that a FOWLR differed from a Reef Tank mainly because a Reef tank was mostly..... LR, LS and Corals...with a couple of fish added in. I want my tank as much a focus on the fish, as the Live Rock, with some soft corals added in. I definitely want Live Rock, but not so much that there's no swim room for the fish. So much to learn! I've been doing nothing but research for the past couple of weeks.

I was planning on T5 lighting. Don't really want to go the MH route, as I do have a kid, who has friends over often, and I don't want to worry about one getting a serious burn. Will T5 work for Anenomes and soft corals.

Haven't planned on what types of fish yet. I figured I better figure out what I want as the main attraction (clown/anenome) and then work around that. I've already figured out that I can't have anything like a Tang in a 54G corner tank. As much as I'd love one, I know they need a lot more swim room. I'm open to suggestions. What's a gorgeous fish, that can live happily in a 54g corner tank?

Is there a "best" book to buy to learn about the different types of fish and how they interact with each other? I was looking at the Expert Pocket Guide to Reef Fish, but I don't know if there's one better. I'm about half way through "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock right now, but I'd like one that focuses on fish.

Ok...I'll wait 6 months to add an anenome and then add the clowns. Is 1 or two clowns better?

Thanks!
Pam








<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9292874#post9292874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
Are you aware that once adding an anemone the tank will not be Fowlr and will now need to have the same water quality as a full blown reef ? if so how do you plan to light the tank?
definetly read and ask questions here about all the types of clownfish and anemone before you decide

you must wait a long time 5 to 6 months before you can add an anemone they need very good water quality
what other fish are you planning?
Click to expand...
 
T5 high output can indeed light anemones it is much better than powercompact and in allot of situations is better than metal halide it really depends on the actuall brand of fixture it has to have individual reflectors for each bulb.

the clowns can go in the tank anytime they do not need an anemone although do enjoy them

i would only keep a pair of clownfish the interaction is very much the fun of it
as far as fish for a 54 gallon with an anemone you should thing about small fish firefish, maybee a pygmy angel(be carefull), there are lots of very cool reef safe wrasses
in my 50 i have a pair of percula clownfish a potters angel a scooter blenny,and one blue chromis
there are lots of kinds of anemones out there be carfull which you buy
 
Thanks again GSMguy. Which T5 brand(s) would you recommend?
I believe I need a 24" to fit on the corner tank.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9293501#post9293501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
T5 high output can indeed light anemones it is much better than powercompact and in allot of situations is better than metal halide it really depends on the actuall brand of fixture it has to have individual reflectors for each bulb.

the clowns can go in the tank anytime they do not need an anemone although do enjoy them

i would only keep a pair of clownfish the interaction is very much the fun of it
as far as fish for a 54 gallon with an anemone you should thing about small fish firefish, maybee a pygmy angel(be carefull), there are lots of very cool reef safe wrasses
in my 50 i have a pair of percula clownfish a potters angel a scooter blenny,and one blue chromis
there are lots of kinds of anemones out there be carfull which you buy
Click to expand...
 
I think it will be a canopy. I really can't hang lights, because I have sloped cathedral ceilings above the tank. I think the ceiling is probably 20 feet above where the tank will go.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9293736#post9293736 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
open top or in a canopy?
can you hang it ?
Click to expand...
 
Definitely want to check out these new lights when they hit the market. Thanks for the suggestion GSMguy! :)
I haven't bought my first piece of equipment yet because I want to buy the right equipment the FIRST time around. (I think the Bubblemaster150 will be my first purchase when my LFS gets more in stock). I've quickly come to realize though, that this hobby is all about patience!


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9293991#post9293991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
the best option for your tank is the 5 bulb 24 inch aquatinics that will be released in march sometime here is a link
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=998293
Click to expand...
 
You are on the right track...take it slow and get what you want and this will save you tons of money...trust me.

You picked an awesome centerpiece with the clowns/anem. My favorite thing in all my tanks. If clowns are your mainstay, get Joyce Wilkerson's Clownfishes. This is considered the clownfish keepers Bible. It has everything you need to know on the care and well-being of your clowns.

Another good tankmate is the anthias. They are cool, but are jumpers, so be careful. Chromis are nice and can be kept in groups. STAY AWAY FROM DAMSELS!!! These little buggers tend to mess with anything in the tank they want, and being from the same family as clownfish doesn't make things any better. They can have some real battles for control. Most gobies, blennies, and such are cool options. Dragonettes are cool fish, but takes an expert to keep alive in that size tank without a very established refugium and a lot of live rock...probably not a good choice for beginner. Jawfish are good, I've heard of problems between some cardinals and some clowns, but I have a huge pair of cardinalfish(biggest I've ever seen) and they don't mess with my clownfish, even though they are at least twice their size.
 
Thanks for the tips cschweitzer! The fish recommendations really help. I have that clown book on my list to buy! I think I may have seen it on one of your older threads, and wrote it down. I recognize your signature "I love my clownfish". What type of clownfish/anenome do you have? Do your clownfish host in the anenome?

I've almost given up on the idea of starting up a salt water tank several times, because it seems so overwhelming as far as setting it all up. But I keep saying to myself.....take it one step at a time. I had NO idea it would cost a couple thousand dollars to set up a smallish 54g tank. I'd rather spend more up front though, than be unhappy with my selections and have to replace the equipment down the road.

I could also fit a 46bow instead of the 54g tank.....or a 58g rectangular tank. It really can't be more than 36" long in order to place it in the room I spend 90% of my time. Elsewhere in my house, I could fit a 6 foot tank if I wanted, but I wouldn't get to enjoy it much. Only thing about the 46g bow, is it's only 15" deep. Is that kind of narrow for aquascaping? I wish they made a bowfront in a 58g size. From what I've found, it jumps from 46g to 72g.

For anyone that might read this....what do you think about these choices for my set up? Any suggestions would be VERY welcome!

54g corner tank (or 46g bowfront)
ATI Bubblemaster 150 Skimmer
Eheim 1250 return pump
1 maxi-jet 1200 power head which I plan to modify using Melev's
modification.
50lbs of Fiji (not sure what type yet) Live Rock....looking at Reefermadness and Reef Science (was going to go with TBS....but I think I want more porous live rock).
Sand....I have no idea how deep to go. Seems to be a lot of pros and cons for shallow 1/2" beds and deep sand beds. I know in a 54g tank, I don't want a 4-6" bed that really reduces my water volume. So is 1/2" better than 2" ??

Thanks!
Pam




<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9296353#post9296353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cschweitzer
You are on the right track...take it slow and get what you want and this will save you tons of money...trust me.

You picked an awesome centerpiece with the clowns/anem. My favorite thing in all my tanks. If clowns are your mainstay, get Joyce Wilkerson's Clownfishes. This is considered the clownfish keepers Bible. It has everything you need to know on the care and well-being of your clowns.

Another good tankmate is the anthias. They are cool, but are jumpers, so be careful. Chromis are nice and can be kept in groups. STAY AWAY FROM DAMSELS!!! These little buggers tend to mess with anything in the tank they want, and being from the same family as clownfish doesn't make things any better. They can have some real battles for control. Most gobies, blennies, and such are cool options. Dragonettes are cool fish, but takes an expert to keep alive in that size tank without a very established refugium and a lot of live rock...probably not a good choice for beginner. Jawfish are good, I've heard of problems between some cardinals and some clowns, but I have a huge pair of cardinalfish(biggest I've ever seen) and they don't mess with my clownfish, even though they are at least twice their size.
Click to expand...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9300019#post9300019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pammy
Thanks for the tips cschweitzer! The fish recommendations really help. I have that clown book on my list to buy! I think I may have seen it on one of your older threads, and wrote it down. I recognize your signature "I love my clownfish". What type of clownfish/anenome do you have? Do your clownfish host in the anenome?

I've almost given up on the idea of starting up a salt water tank several times, because it seems so overwhelming as far as setting it all up. But I keep saying to myself.....take it one step at a time. I had NO idea it would cost a couple thousand dollars to set up a smallish 54g tank. I'd rather spend more up front though, than be unhappy with my selections and have to replace the equipment down the road.

I could also fit a 46bow instead of the 54g tank.....or a 58g rectangular tank. It really can't be more than 36" long in order to place it in the room I spend 90% of my time. Elsewhere in my house, I could fit a 6 foot tank if I wanted, but I wouldn't get to enjoy it much. Only thing about the 46g bow, is it's only 15" deep. Is that kind of narrow for aquascaping? I wish they made a bowfront in a 58g size. From what I've found, it jumps from 46g to 72g.

For anyone that might read this....what do you think about these choices for my set up? Any suggestions would be VERY welcome!

54g corner tank (or 46g bowfront)
ATI Bubblemaster 150 Skimmer
Eheim 1250 return pump
1 maxi-jet 1200 power head which I plan to modify using Melev's
modification.
50lbs of Fiji (not sure what type yet) Live Rock....looking at Reefermadness and Reef Science (was going to go with TBS....but I think I want more porous live rock).
Sand....I have no idea how deep to go. Seems to be a lot of pros and cons for shallow 1/2" beds and deep sand beds. I know in a 54g tank, I don't want a 4-6" bed that really reduces my water volume. So is 1/2" better than 2" ??

Thanks!
Pam
Click to expand...

if it was me i would get the oceanic 58 reef ready tank it will be eaisier to light it; also bowfront tanks are really hard to take photos with since the glass distorts
18inches deep is really best for anemones the can get quite big if given enough time
if you want a sand dwelling anemone it may be better to go with a deeper sand bed
i like nice open live rock the solid stuff is less effective
also a maxi mod might be too much flow for your tank it is allot of water movement i would suggest two tunze nano stream 6045 instead
 
Hi RJ

Are you talking about depth....as in top to bottom, or front to back?

Does anyone make a glass bowfront that is between 50 and 65 gallons? Seems they all jump from 46g to 72g. I need to stick with 36" wide tank.

Thanks!
Pam


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9302331#post9302331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by R.J. Fichner
my 46 bow is 18 inches deep
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the info GSMGuy.

What size sump would you recommend for a 46g bow, or a 58g ?
Would a Oceanic Model 1 be the correct size?

Thanks!
Pam



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9302643#post9302643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
sorry i mean 18inches front to back
Click to expand...
 
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