Going to downsize...

[Riptide10]

I am selling my 125g FOWLR and plan to downsize. I'm ordering a 50g all-glass. 36"x18"x18".

I intend to light it with two 36" all-glass CP fluorescent 10K fixtures, total of 220W. This should produce more than enough light to have a few modest corals like yellow polyps, leathers, etc.. Maybe even a stony coral or two.

Anyhow I plan on filtering it with a Fluval 304 and Aquaclear 500. Both of these filters are in use and have been adequate on my 125g so they are well established. Yes I know people don't like canisters here but I've had good luck so far and am a bit stubborn about this. I go with what works.

Anyway my fish plans:

1 copperband butterfly (already have this beauty, eats well, great fish)
2 small black/white clowns (have them already, paired off)
1 royal gramma
1 bicolor blenny
1 flame angel

Various hermits, couple cleaner shrimp

What do you guys think? Should look pretty good eh?

 

[PoukieBear]

Sounds like it will be a great set up.

I think this is the first time i've ever heard someone say that they are downsizing. Usually it's always going bigger!

Why have you decided to downsize??

 

[Riptide10]

Few different reasons.

1) Easier maintenance/water changes.
2) Cheaper.
3) Less weight - my floors are spongey, makes me nervous.

Plus now I can have a few corals whereas with my current setup I can't (not enough lights, my angel and my semilarvatus will eat them).

Yeah I have high hopes that it should come out looking nice. I think the fish I have chosen should make for a colorful assortment. And with a few corals thrown in there (will need to get a skimmer eventually) it should look awesome.

 

[PoukieBear]

I assume you already know this, but...

be carefull when you add the Flame angel. They are a hit and miss for nipping at corals. Some do, and some don't.

Good Luck!

 

[Riptide10]

Yep same goes up to a point for the copperband. Guess I'll just have to see what happens. I've heard coral beauty can be the same way (hit or miss on nipping at corals).

It'll be a while before I get it all together but I should have excellent filtration (304 + aquaclear 500 turns over a lot of water for a 50g) and water movement (have three maxijet 1200's).

BTW, with 4.4 watts per gallon do you have any recommendations on corals? Would I be able to put a flower pot in there? The tank is only 18" high as well so I could keep it pretty close to the lights if I wanted.

 

[PoukieBear]

Flower pots are a very hard coral to keep.

They prefer "dirty" water, and will generaly only survive only a few months in a tank.

Mine survived for about 7 months before it started to slowly die.

You can keep softies, and probably some LPS.

 

[Riptide10]

Any particular recommendations? Yellow polyps have nice color and so do some of the star polyps.

Anything other than the flower pots you recommend staying away from? I only want about 3-4 corals max.

I may also eventually give an anemone a try. My wife has had good luck so far with her bubble tip and the clowns LOVE it.

 

[PoukieBear]

Star Polyps are great. Very hardy, and the spread like mad. Eventually, you'll need to frag them to keep them in check. Take them to your LFS for a trade on something.

Mushrooms will do great, bottons are good, Some easy LPS that you can keep will be Frogspawn, bubble coral, I like to look of galaxia, brains will do well too i think.

 

[Riptide10]

Thanks for the ideas.

Would be nice to find a coral with some red color or pink coloration. Lots of yellows, greens, and browns out there to choose from.

BTW if I try an anemone I won't be doing it right away - will give the tank time to settle down before I attempt that.

 

[PoukieBear]

There are some nice pink leathers that you can get, and brains are often red in colour, same with mushrooms.

This is a great coral with lots of colour.

And another

...and another

Here's some blue...

I LOOOOOVE this one

...and the possibilities are endless.

 

[sage1970]

That plate coral is REALLY cool...but I mainly have a softie tank..

*heavy sigh*

The yellow leathers are pretty too.