What else to add?

[Sitarangi]

Im kind of at a loss.....

I got a well established 29g reef tank with some LPS and Mushrooms. Its got a moderate amount of Tonga LR and FLR. So far the current inhabitants are

- 2 O. Clownfish
- 2 Blue Damsels
- 1 Blue/Yellow Damsel
- 1 Lawnmower Blenny
- 1 Midas Blenny
- Turbo Snails (who seem to breed like Rabbits)
- A couple Emerald Crabs
- Some Hermits
- A tiny green Mantis (But i haven't seem him in awhile, think hes dead)

I've tried Grammas 3 times. All 3 times they've died in 24 hours. Before I added the corals, I had a small puffer. He too died. Ive added the crabs and the blennies since, so I know the waters good. I was thinking Firefish, but i'd be to afraid the Damsels would drive out of the tank, same thing with Filefish. Dwarf Angels I guess are out of the question, the tank is just too tiny.

Im looking for a cheap, small (not agressive but can hold their own in an agressive tank) fish to help make it look less bare. I always wanted a snowflake, but thats of course out of the cards. Golden dwarf Morays are nearly impossible to find. What would any of you reccomend?

Ill try too add some pics tommarow when the lights on. The Midas Blenny is absoultely rocking.

 

[rydr119]

If you had the right lighting you could do a clam. Or maybe a small wrasse the only problem is most wrasses get large.

 

[Sitarangi]

I never a clam much thought, how about an anenome, for the Clowns? I got a 24" Flourescent light that seems to work great for the corals. Like I promised, here are some pics.

The Midas Blenny, on his favorite spot behind my heater.

Heres a massive piece of TLR I got last week to go in that gap in the middle. Its covered in all sorts of filth so im letting it cure for another week or two. Im not even thinking about buying any fish for at least a month after putting that behemoth in my tank, but now is the time to plan and get ready.

 

[snorvich]

I don't think you have enough lighting for an anemone.

 

[lowincwrx]

i have a pygmy dwarf angel (centropyge argi) in my 29g all the other centropyge angels get too big for a 29 imo. but i also only plan on having 4 fish total in my tank.

when you added the grammas did the damsels pick on them alot or cause them alot of stress?

if you don't have a test kit for your water take it to your lfs to test it. just because the blennies and the crabs made it doesn't mean the waters fine.

 

[chrisstie]

With the full grown sizes of your fishes considered I wouldn't add any more even when the rock is cured. I wouldn't do an anemone nor clam if you don't feel you have the light for it.

What about some inverts? Theyc an be really interesting and keep things lively while your tank ages and you slowly more coral goes in (size issues with an anemone in that tank with it stinging coral would probably happen even with good lights)

 

[petoonia]

Why dont you add a couple of cleaner shrimp. They can add alot of activity to the tank!! I would not add an anemone, or clam. They need a lot of light!!! From the pics you posted it looks like you have corals that dont need as much light. I would stick with corals with lower light requirements, they should do well with the lighting you have.

If it were my tank, I would pull out the 3 damsels (they can turn into some aggressive little fish!!!!), and add a black cap basslet, and a fairy wrasse.

 

[Sitarangi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12298673#post12298673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lowincwrx
when you added the grammas did the damsels pick on them alot or cause them alot of stress?

if you don't have a test kit for your water take it to your lfs to test it. just because the blennies and the crabs made it doesn't mean the waters fine.

Last time I tested was when the last Gramma died about a month ago (both died within 24 hours which raised red flags because grammas are such hardy fish, I got my money back). The Ph was about 8.3, i THINK I remember the nitrates around 10-20ppm, a little high but not enough to raise concern. Ammonia was fine.

Im not sure what to do with the Damsels, I only got them when the Peacock Mantis I got for a school project showed up dead. I don't really have a heart to flush them .

I guess if I can lose the damsels, I could get firefish, wrasses, mandarinfish and add alot of color to the tank.

Kind of off topic, when I get the tank setteled away with the LR, how tough are mandarins to keep, I love the color, but I guess they only eat live food. Anyone have any experience with them?

i have a pygmy dwarf angel (centropyge argi) in my 29g all the other centropyge angels get too big for a 29 imo. but i also only plan on having 4 fish total in my tank.

The LFS (in their infinite wisdom :rolleye1: ) said no angel would work in a 29g system. I love their colors, especially the flame angel. Would they nip at the coral?

 

[andy321]

the angel might nip but it might not and mandarin wont have enough food so I wouldnt get it

 

[petoonia]

The Flame angel tends to like a little more swimming room. I have a coral beauty in my 75G and she uses all of the space.

I would definitely skip the mandarin you need a larger, mature tank with alot of LR, and a refuge to sustain one. Heres a good FAQ on mandarins.

http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3

There is no reason to flush the damsels. Most LFS' will take them back, and give you a little bit of store credit. Even if they dont give you store credit, at least you dont have to flush them.

I wouldnt add to many more fish, but if you get rid of the damsels you could probably add 2 (maybe 3) small fish.

 

[lowincwrx]

like i said most angels will get too big for a 29 the cherub only gets up to 3in though heres a pic of mine with my coco worm
as far as nipping goes mine doesn't but its a hit or miss with angels
<a href="http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f364/lowincwrx/?action=view&current=aquarium049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f364/lowincwrx/aquarium049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

and the mandarin would not last long he would starve in a 29,beautiful fish though

like petoonia said most good lfs will give you credit for your damsels, also her idea of the cleaner shrimp is a good one i have one and love it
<a href="http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f364/lowincwrx/?action=view&current=aquarium066.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f364/lowincwrx/aquarium066.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[lowincwrx]

and just another idea when you place the other large piece of lr in your tank you may want to reaquascape and create a few caves or bridges just to give your fish a few more hiding spaces.