few noobie questions! :)

saltyshoe_nano

New member
ok well as you might all know I have a 20 L tank.....here is some equipment I have.....

1. 20 gallon Long aga
2. a 65 watt aqualight with 50/50 bulb
3. 2 small powerheads
4. an AC fuge, not sure what size but Id say 50-70
5. about 23 Lbs of LR
6. about 24 Lbs of LS
7. a 100 watt heater
8. 2 thermomiters
9. and an mag float
10. and a fan to cool off light.....

I know I need moon lights but funds are low untill friday.....

Ok now that thats outta the way, ~"when its time"~

1.what types of coral should I get? I am a noob so Ive heard that zoos and shrooms are good starters...any others?

2.how many fish can I keep? I was wanting 2 clowns, a firefish, and a ywg....is this to much? I plan on the clowns that stay small....

3.what is a good anemone should I get?

thanks for looking if I could figure out how to post pics and had a decient camera I would show you what I have but I cant yet....:(
-shoe
 
Why do you "need" moonlights?


1. Zoas, shrooms, polyps, stay with soft corals and low light ones. No calcarous corals, if it has a hard skeleton don't buy it, it is the next level...start easy and keep it simple. Remember few nano's make it past the two year mark and most fail within a year. Those that make it are lght in bio-load and cared for by experienced people.

2. I would keep only the clowns, fish are waste producers and in a nano waste is a bad thing, the less fish the better.

3. The best anemone is the one found in the ocean. They require stable water and lots of light. You will have neither in your setup. Even bubble tips require stable water and good light. Skip the anemone, you don't need it, the clowns don't need it and you don't need the headache of one dieing and polluting your tank.

Remember it is supposed to be fun, don't add things that will make it complicated.
 
I personally would not worry about moonlights until you have some life in the tank and even then they are not needed, just astetically pleasing.

Good Starter corals besides the zoos and shrooms you have mentioned would be GSP but make sure you keep them on a serperat rock so they do not take over. Most leathers are good corals to start with as well. I wish you were closer because I have plenty of all the above that I would be more then happy to share.

As far as the fish go, I think you would be fine with that stocking list. I am sure others will disagree with me on that point. I think if you add them slowly, very slowly although I would definetly add the clowns at the same time and get some kind of skimmer going you will be fine. I have all but the firefish and they are all great fish.

Skip the anemone for now. They need a good stable tank, at least 6 months old but I would say more like 8 months to a year. Basically after you go through the different algae phases you are ready to go. In the mean time check out the anemone forum and read up on BTA's. Many will suggest they should be in a system by themselves. I have one in my 30G and could not imagine my tank without. It is my center piece.

Best of luck to you.
 
Zoas, shrooms, polyps, stay with soft corals and low light ones

Everything he said except Zoas and shrooms, they will live in low PC light, but they will lose color and not be as vibrant.

I have plenty of "starter" corals living in my fuge under PC that you are more than welcome too.
PL
 
Firefish are known jumpers so If you get one make sure you have the top covered.

I would agree with all of the above. Seems like sound advise. And wait for a anemone. They are pretty cool but given some time and tank maturity. There may even be a clone available cheaper And aquacultured through the club when your ready.

JJ

JJ
 
IC, thanks alot guys, I thought that the corals needed the moonlights, lol opse! Uh, I geuss I wont get an anemone, lol I thought the clowns needed the anemone for shelter lol OPSE! lol and as far as the firefish, I will buy a glass cover so he cant jump, but I think I wont get him because of sirreals advice. I thought that 65 watts was good for a 20 long because its long and shallow....but I will go with your advice! Uh what about the YWG, would he be ok still?

Phil, I will give you a call in about 2 weeks, do you think thats a good time for me to add my coral?

thanks
~shoe
 
soft corals

try to keep it to no more than 3 SMALL fish

Rock anemone's are nice if you find a colorful one, I know it'll live under that light.
 
IC thanks alot guys Phil be exspecting a phone call in the next couple of weeks! I think Im ganna skip the anemone this round, maybe when I move up to chicago I will look into one! thanks again!
~shoe
 
I didn't notice the 65 watt was a 50/50 bulb...that cuts down on what you can keep. You really only have 32 watts of usable light in a 20 gallon tank. The actintic portion should be counted as usable light.

If the fixture has straight pin bulbs I have a 10K bulb you can have and then you can try the zoas...The Beer Guy was correct, no zoas under 32 watts, he is the zoa guru and his zoa kung fu is better than mine. :D
 
Bulb would be free...but the question is whether yours have straight pins like this .... or square pins like this :: they are not interchangeable.

I am 50/50 on pizza night, I have a vendor in from Virginia that I may not be able to ditch.
 
well, if you go bring it and I will see if it fits, and if it doesnt, then I can return it the next time Im up at gateway.....
thanks
~shoe
 
Oo sweet thanks alot I appreciate it.... :) serreal, mine are in a straight line like this . . . . is that the way yours is? LMK thanks!
~shoe
 
That is the way mine are but I won't be able to get free tonight, I am in negotiations for a new product line and I cannot be excused. I should be around this weekend if you want to try and meet up.
 
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