What next for 24g Nano Cube?

[aumfc]

Hi,

I have a 24g Nano Cube with stock lighting, a MJ 1200, 30lb LR, 2 Astrea, 2 Blue-legged Hermits, 2 Nassarius. Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite all 0, pH 8.2 and temp ~80, and they have been that way for about a week.

I am planning to get two juvenile clown fish in a couple of days. Is this a good idea? I also want to get a shrimp soon.

My main question is what host coral to get for the clowns? Also, what corals will thrive in this tank?

Thank you for your help,
Jason

 

[MaryBebo]

Sounds like it is going well.

Zoo's, mushrooms and leathers are doing great in mine. Under the stock lighting, these work great.

I have a large toadstool leather that the clowns have hosted in.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Has it been one week since the tank is set up or since the tank has finished its cycling?

If it's only been a week since you set up your tank, it needs to cycle and you should not add any fish.

If it's done cycling, I think two clownfish can go in. I prefer adding one fish at a time since it's a nano tank.

Like Mary said, zoos, mushrooms and leathers are good choice for nano tanks. Clownfish hosts many corals. Some don't host anything like my current 3 ocellaris clown My previous two clownfish (who went carpet surfing) loved xenia and toadstool leather. They went around sitting on various soft corals. I understand that some clownfish love frogspawn, too.

Tomoko



Tomoko

 

[aumfc]

Tank has been up over 3 weeks. All levels went to 0 over a week ago.

I really like frog spawn, torches, and hammers. Do you think I would be ok with one of these in the tank as well? I am thinking, at least to start:

torch/frogspawn/hammer
xenias
zoos
mushrooms
leathers

How do those sound? Which of the 3 LPS would be better for the Nano?

Thanks!

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I don't see any problem with the selection. I'd keep euphilias (the LPS's you mentioned are all in Euphilia) well away from others, though. They are pretty but very mean with a long reach.

Tomoko

 

[aumfc]

Thanks for the reply.

So I understand, torch/frogspawn/hammer are all LPS euphilias, xenias, zoos, mushrooms, leathers are all soft corals? Is that correct?

Can you please roughly define "well away"? Does this mean, just make sure he isn't touching any other coral or does it mean he needs to be X inches from other coral or does it mean he needs to be where other fish can safely get around him? Like, is it ok to put him near a corner where animals may swim by or should he go more in the middle?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Yes to the first question.

As for "well away", Euphyllia (correct spelling) sends out sweeper tentacles to sting other corals (but not fish). The stronger the current, the longer and more numerous the sweeper tentacles. They are hardy but they want very good water quality. Euphyllia are supposedly sensitive to a large sinularia (a type of leather) so keep your euphyllia away from sinularia leather corals. As for their placement, you may have to find a ideal location (considering water flow and lighting) by trial and error.

Tomoko

 

[aumfc]

Thanks again. I just added a xenia and placed him high in the tank near the center, but the flow still seems to be moving him quite a bit.

All I have is a mj 1200 with a hydro flo. Should I lower it to the 900? That would also lower my temp a little, correct? Is there any reason to keep the 1200? Conversely, any reason to lower to the 900?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[eyebedam]

I got a nano 24 as well & ive added a 150 watt sunpod & im really happy with my lighting upgrade.

 

[eyebedam]

Also keep the 1200 the flow is much better than the 900 I got the 1200 also.