coffee table tank question

[jenjen]

I'm re-doing my family room and want to incorporate a small aquarium. I'd like to keep a pair of black clowns, a small anemone which would be likely to host the clowns, and a pistol shrimp/goby pair.

What size tank would be minimum for this setup? Also, the bio cube seems to come with everything, would I need to upgrade or add anything to keep the above livestock?

I'm only in the planning stage on this project, but need to sort out tank dimensions so I can get my furniture. I'd really prefer a tank with no extra equipment, because I'm hoping to put it on an open side table.

 

[DetectiveTofu]

I have a 10 gallon with a BTA, and two Ocellaris that call that BTA home
That's the smallest I'd go, and be prepared to do weekly water changes in a smaller tank.
good luck!

 

[IslandCrow]

You could probably get away with a 12g nano tank, though something closer to 20g would probably be better. Don't be deceived about anemones, though. They're really not for beginners. Most are going to get too big for a nano tank (<30g), and those that don't generally aren't natural hosts for clownfish. You'll also need sufficient lighting for an anemone. Metal halide or quality T-5 lighting with individual reflectors is generally what's required. Lastly, keep in mind that smaller tanks, while less expensive, are actually harder to maintain than a larger tank (say 50-100g). They can be a lot of fun (I love my 12g), but you can't slack off on your maintenance. Once you get into the swing of things, that's usually only 30 minutes to an hour each week (not counting small day to day stuff like feeding or topping off). They're much less forgiving than a bigger tank if you neglect them, though.

But if you do get something small, what I'd suggest is one of the all-in-one 12g or 24g tanks, like an Aquapod or Nano Cube. I have an Aquapod, and I really haven't added anything significant to it. These things really can run with just the equipment in the box. I'd skip the anemone. A captive clownfish doesn't need one, and there's no known benefit to it having one. Lastly, if you're not planning to already, I'd highly recommend getting clownfish that are already paired. Ocellaris aren't too bad, but if you can avoid trying to pair clownfish on your own, I think that's best while you're new to all of this.

 

[jenjen]

Thanks for the input!

I've been looking at a 14gal. I really wanted the anemone b/c I love watching clowns with them - I have a single oscellaris in my 90 but don't want to add an anemone to that tank.

If I went with a 14, a pair of black clowns and a few lps rather than an anemone would the stock compact flourescent lighting do or would I still want to up it to T5's?

rythmicfire - how long have you had the bta in your 10?

 

[crvz]

what about a coffee table aquarium?

a 14 gallon tank would do alright, but some anemones can get large, so it may outgrow that setup. just something to keep in mind. if you went LPS, the cf lighting may be enough, but you may be at the risk of the clowns hosting in the LPS, which can be traumatic for both of the animals.

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13212940#post13212940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
what about a coffee table aquarium?

a 14 gallon tank would do alright, but some anemones can get large, so it may outgrow that setup. just something to keep in mind. if you went LPS, the cf lighting may be enough, but you may be at the risk of the clowns hosting in the LPS, which can be traumatic for both of the animals.

yeah, i don't have an anemone in mine, but i have noticed my clowns rubbing up against my brain coral & swimming in & out of the torch & xenia corals, but so far not in a destructive manner

My Biocube 8

 

[james3370]

i've considered one of the coffee table aquariums from midwest tropical, but wondered if the lighing source would be sufficent to do anything saltware based.....

??????????

 

[jenjen]

Well, my other option is to replace my 55gal fw with something sw of a similar size. Maybe I'll do that instead so I can get my anemone.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[nikon187]

need to upgrade the lights in the 14 cube.. look into 28g HQI or solana

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13213218#post13213218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by james3370
i've considered one of the coffee table aquariums from midwest tropical, but wondered if the lighing source would be sufficent to do anything saltware based.....

??????????

probably not, my comment was more in jest than reality, but it would be cool if you could figure it out. those are surely better suited for freshwater or fish only setups, and a logistics nightmare in any case.