New to the Nano reef
- Thread starter slukach
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Illuminati
Premium Member
Looking great Steve, yeah time for a new fishy, what's in there and what are you thinking of adding?
Thanks Tom and Colin.
I have the two true percs in there now and haven't attempted anything since the "Firefish Fiasco of January '07".
I was thinking of a flame angel (the woman really wants the Lemonpeel angel, but I don't want it eating my coral), another firefish, yellow goby (i think its called...small yellow fish), any type of goby actually (banded, spotted, etc.).
what are your respective thoughts? Can you guys recommend anything that would work well in my tank and that has some nice coloring?
Oh, what is the deal with macro algae? beneficial? pest? etc.
Thanks for the info.
I have the two true percs in there now and haven't attempted anything since the "Firefish Fiasco of January '07".
I was thinking of a flame angel (the woman really wants the Lemonpeel angel, but I don't want it eating my coral), another firefish, yellow goby (i think its called...small yellow fish), any type of goby actually (banded, spotted, etc.).
what are your respective thoughts? Can you guys recommend anything that would work well in my tank and that has some nice coloring?
Oh, what is the deal with macro algae? beneficial? pest? etc.
Thanks for the info.
Illuminati
Premium Member
Macro algae can be o.k. I had some cool scroll algae on my liverock when I first got it, it got out of hand quick, constantly had to yank the stuff out of there. There is a strain called chaeto (pronounced Kay-Toh) that uses up nitrates. I have some tucked away in the main disply, see if your LFS has a little golfball sized clump and put it in the display where it can get some light and keep it contained and trimmed. Or you can get some and attatch it to a veggie clip on the inside of the glass. it can grow fast so just keep it under control.
I have a Flame and love mine, not sure how one would do with the open brains you have, I heard that and clams are some of the more popular corals they like to nip at. Every fish is different, maybe you can get one that doesn't pick at anything, I would ask the LFS you buy it from if they have a return policy just in case.
Also the flame should be the last fish added if you go that route. I think the flame is one of the better choices as far as reef safe angels.
I can't remember the firefish fiasco, what happened with that again?
I have a yellow watchman goby, kinda cool fish, wish I would have gotten a midas blenny though, those look cool. Jawfish are also similar to gobies and are cool looking but I've never had one.
Another fish I want is a cardinalfish, very cool black and silver markings. The Pajama cardinals looks goofy and I think those stay a little smaller.
I have a Flame and love mine, not sure how one would do with the open brains you have, I heard that and clams are some of the more popular corals they like to nip at. Every fish is different, maybe you can get one that doesn't pick at anything, I would ask the LFS you buy it from if they have a return policy just in case.
Also the flame should be the last fish added if you go that route. I think the flame is one of the better choices as far as reef safe angels.
I can't remember the firefish fiasco, what happened with that again?
I have a yellow watchman goby, kinda cool fish, wish I would have gotten a midas blenny though, those look cool. Jawfish are also similar to gobies and are cool looking but I've never had one.
Another fish I want is a cardinalfish, very cool black and silver markings. The Pajama cardinals looks goofy and I think those stay a little smaller.
i got a firefish and he seemed to be doing OK...eating, making a little burrow to sleep in, etc. Then I didn't see him for a day or so, even in his little cave. Finally noticed about 3/4 of him near the back of the tank and fished (no pun) him out to try to minimize the nitrate release.
I forgot about the watchman goby as a choice, one I wanted for a long time.
You mentioned a midas blenny. But didn't you say that blennys usually starve in small tanks without refugiums to make copepods? I mentioned a ways back about a scooter blenny, I think. Look kind of like they are hopping instead of swimming.
One of the LFS's that I go to really has their sh*t together when it comes to fish. Names, prices and the date they got the fish in are written on the tank (I know most places have the name and price, but this is the only one I go to where they have the date they got the fish in...all places SHOULD, by the way). And they are super informed about do's and don'ts and compatibility. So, I will see what they have to say.
I have seen you guys discussing chaeto on here before. I would like to check into that as well.
I forgot about the watchman goby as a choice, one I wanted for a long time.
You mentioned a midas blenny. But didn't you say that blennys usually starve in small tanks without refugiums to make copepods? I mentioned a ways back about a scooter blenny, I think. Look kind of like they are hopping instead of swimming.
One of the LFS's that I go to really has their sh*t together when it comes to fish. Names, prices and the date they got the fish in are written on the tank (I know most places have the name and price, but this is the only one I go to where they have the date they got the fish in...all places SHOULD, by the way). And they are super informed about do's and don'ts and compatibility. So, I will see what they have to say.
I have seen you guys discussing chaeto on here before. I would like to check into that as well.
Hopeful Reefer
Premium Member
Chaeto, to this point, has become the macro-algae of choice for many aquariasts...it really soaks up lots of nutrients...
Only downside, if you can say that, is that it grows very very rapidly...it must be trimmed constantly...I have some in my tank and it grows like mad!! I would have to say that it grows faster than the grass at the end of my septic system drainage field if ya know what I'm sayin!!
One way you can keep it in the main tank without making it so obvious is by using a nylon lint sock...just cut a few diamond or X-shaped holes in the "sock" to allow pods and such to enter/leave the chaeto at will...you can then hide it behind your rock work so it isn't so visible but will still get some light...I have mine set up this way, and I actually have an 80-gpm powerhead blowing through mine...
One other way to look at it...if you have a bunch that you trim you can always make good with the neighboring reefers in your area and trade it away to other "newbies"...this always makes you look like the generous person you are (and makes it easier to ask for frags and such later!!
)
Only downside, if you can say that, is that it grows very very rapidly...it must be trimmed constantly...I have some in my tank and it grows like mad!! I would have to say that it grows faster than the grass at the end of my septic system drainage field if ya know what I'm sayin!!
One way you can keep it in the main tank without making it so obvious is by using a nylon lint sock...just cut a few diamond or X-shaped holes in the "sock" to allow pods and such to enter/leave the chaeto at will...you can then hide it behind your rock work so it isn't so visible but will still get some light...I have mine set up this way, and I actually have an 80-gpm powerhead blowing through mine...
One other way to look at it...if you have a bunch that you trim you can always make good with the neighboring reefers in your area and trade it away to other "newbies"...this always makes you look like the generous person you are (and makes it easier to ask for frags and such later!!
)
kingfisher62
New member
Wow , your tank looks great. I can't believe how much stuff you have already. Your photgraphy is improving too when I lie down on my desk with my head on the keyboard those side ways shots look real good, lol !
But they are nice and clear and thats the important part .
Is that big beige one a frogspawn? it looks kind cool!
But they are nice and clear and thats the important part .
Is that big beige one a frogspawn? it looks kind cool!
kingfisher62
New member
I agree with colinadam the flame is risky , one of my favorites fish too, but I wouldn't chance it . How about a nice sixline wrasse , i have been very happy with mine.
Illuminati
Premium Member
I just found my flame dead at the bottom of the tank. Talk about nasty, sucked having to fish him out of there (Thank goodness for my aquascaping tongs).
There's $70 on the curb waiting for the garbage man in the morning. Yikes.
Maybe now I can get that cardinalfish I wanted.......
(Scooter Blennys are actually in the dragonette family just like mandarin gobies, Only problem with a midas in a tank our size is aggression, the smaller the tank the more they might bully others, maybe not a good choice after all).
There's $70 on the curb waiting for the garbage man in the morning. Yikes.
Maybe now I can get that cardinalfish I wanted.......
(Scooter Blennys are actually in the dragonette family just like mandarin gobies, Only problem with a midas in a tank our size is aggression, the smaller the tank the more they might bully others, maybe not a good choice after all).
kingfisher62
New member
Sorry about your loss colinadam!
That was a pretty short mourning period though. What type cardinal , a pajama?
That was a pretty short mourning period though. What type cardinal , a pajama?
Illuminati
Premium Member
No clue, he was eating like a champ, fed him a couple times every day.
When I got him out he was a little chewed up (some hermit got a very expensive snack) but I don't have anything in the tank that could do this to him.
Last waterchange was Saturday morning so it's not like I messed that up.
He wasn't gone for long, still had a lot of color. Odd, maybe it was just his time.
I loved that fish, by far the best color of any fish I've ever had and an awesome temper. Hopefully I will someday have a bigger tank and get another, there are some other larger fish on my wishlist.
So I have some RO water going, plan to do another waterchange tomorrow night.
When I got him out he was a little chewed up (some hermit got a very expensive snack) but I don't have anything in the tank that could do this to him.
Last waterchange was Saturday morning so it's not like I messed that up.
He wasn't gone for long, still had a lot of color. Odd, maybe it was just his time.
I loved that fish, by far the best color of any fish I've ever had and an awesome temper. Hopefully I will someday have a bigger tank and get another, there are some other larger fish on my wishlist.
So I have some RO water going, plan to do another waterchange tomorrow night.
Illuminati
Premium Member
Might hold off on any new additions, see if my fish now are more active with the big guy out of there 
I do have a co-worker who is thinking of getting an Onyx Clown from www.rods-reef.com, if she does I might have to go in on an order with her and get one, not a huge clown fan but those look cool.
I do have a co-worker who is thinking of getting an Onyx Clown from www.rods-reef.com, if she does I might have to go in on an order with her and get one, not a huge clown fan but those look cool.
smketyr
New member
Colin, Sorry about the flame angel! I want a bangai cardinal as well. I will with the new tank.
Matt, I do a diy doser for kalk. It is in the link a few pages back. I should post a pic for everyone to laugh at. It is only a water bottle, tubing and a valve. To use it I hook the tubing to the venturi hole in my maxi jet and get a siphon going and use the valve to control the rate. I only dose kalk at night.
I am trying something new. I am using randy holmes two part in the tanks, however, I am adding it to the top off water. Will see how it works, so far two weeks and everything is looking good.
I am also trying a new food Red Reef, Colin knows this food. I think it only local. I could not believe the response in the tank when I first added it.
Tom
Matt, I do a diy doser for kalk. It is in the link a few pages back. I should post a pic for everyone to laugh at. It is only a water bottle, tubing and a valve. To use it I hook the tubing to the venturi hole in my maxi jet and get a siphon going and use the valve to control the rate. I only dose kalk at night.
I am trying something new. I am using randy holmes two part in the tanks, however, I am adding it to the top off water. Will see how it works, so far two weeks and everything is looking good.
I am also trying a new food Red Reef, Colin knows this food. I think it only local. I could not believe the response in the tank when I first added it.
Tom
Illuminati
Premium Member
Yep, Red Reef is good stuff, Sullyman from the CMAS forum makes it I believe. I wish I would have known you wanted some, I would have given you half my bag, I'll NEVER use it all.
For everyone else if you want to explore a good all in one food check out www.premiumaquatics.com and look up Rods Food. It basically has everything from phytoplankton to meatier foods all blended together. You break off a little chunk and feed the tank and it's a whole tank food (softies and those featherdusters would like the phyto, your LPS & fish will like the meatier foods).
Everyone in the Chicago area either uses that or the Red Reef food (Red Reef isn't as popular but it's basically the same thing).
Here's a link
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=RR-FOOD-6&Category_Code=Mysis
Something to look into, shipping isn't cheap though.
My Assesor and Firefish were much more active tonight, maybe the flame scared them when he was in there? I dunno, I like it how it is now though. I will still get an Onyx clown if I get the chance, hopefully a juvi.
For everyone else if you want to explore a good all in one food check out www.premiumaquatics.com and look up Rods Food. It basically has everything from phytoplankton to meatier foods all blended together. You break off a little chunk and feed the tank and it's a whole tank food (softies and those featherdusters would like the phyto, your LPS & fish will like the meatier foods).
Everyone in the Chicago area either uses that or the Red Reef food (Red Reef isn't as popular but it's basically the same thing).
Here's a link
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=RR-FOOD-6&Category_Code=Mysis
Something to look into, shipping isn't cheap though.
My Assesor and Firefish were much more active tonight, maybe the flame scared them when he was in there? I dunno, I like it how it is now though. I will still get an Onyx clown if I get the chance, hopefully a juvi.
Illuminati
Premium Member
Ehhh on second thought I guess it's a good idea if more people join in. I started it back in November and since I didn't want to deal with it every month I said whoever wins gets to coordinate it the next month.
Here's the November finals, lots of awesome tanks
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=964254
Here's the November finals, lots of awesome tanks
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=964254
kingfisher62
New member
Slukach, how are those featherdusters doing ? Pretty amazing little critters aren't they?
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