What to do with a 55gal?

[jason2459]

Awesome progress so far! The YWG/Pistol combo is great as is the clown pair. Can't go wrong with those two and always fun. Of course a blenny all by himself could entertain everyone. Wow, you just need a pair of banggai cardinals and you have pretty much the same stock list as me. :beer:


Good luck with the trip and hope everything away and at home goes well.

 

[sltloser]

i hope everything goes well, and can't wait to hear from you when you get back! how are the corals doing?

 

[jenjen]

Well, I'm back! Got home last night. I'm pleased to report that everything is doing well. The water was low when I got home, and I measured the SG at 1.029. I topped up the water and got it back down to 1.026 before I went to bed last night. All the fish are fine, thankfully. The second feather duster dropped it's feathers, and I lost one hermit crab. Otherwise, nothing looks any worse for wear.

Mrs has started digging out a 'nest' in the back corner of the tank. She is creating quite the sand storm. The toadstool is opening nicely now... wonder how long until she decides it would make a good home?

Pistol and grumpy-goby are doing great - they've expanded their home to include another rock now. And the fire shrimp seems to have moved in with them.

And there is no sign of algae in the tank what-so-ever. I'm thinking I ought to move a snail or two into my other tank, because there doesn't seem to be much for them to eat in this one.

I'll put up some pics tomorrow... gotta charge the camera.

 

[jenjen]

Wow, you just need a pair of banggai cardinals and you have pretty much the same stock list as me. :beer:

I've contemplated banggai's - how do you find their personality? Are they fun to watch, or do they just 'sit there'?

 

[sltloser]

glad to hear everything is doing good after being gone!! can't wait to see pics

 

[jenjen]

Time for some pics! I brought back the original new camera and got a different one - Canon SX200 IS. So far I'm pleased with it, though I haven't figured out the settings yet. I'm hoping to play with it a little more over the weekend, but for now here's a few updated shots.

FTS from this morning

Conch

Toadstool, about 3" across

Grumpy-goby & Pistol - it's impossible not to love these guys!

Mrs, getting her morning bath

 

[jenjen]

Alright people, I need some help choosing the last fish(es) for this system. I will be adding a fuge area for some chaeto, and I have definitely decided against a mandarin.

The Criteria
* must reside in a 'back reef' or lagoon type environment in nature
* must be peaceful, and reef safe
* must not be a known jumper (the tank is uncovered)
* must fit comfortably in a 55gal (no tangs!)
* would like a 'swimmer' rather than a 'hider'

Some fish I'm considering
Bangaii Cardinals (mated pair)
Potters Wrasse
Potters Angel
Coral Beauty Angel
Possum Wrasse
Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse

I almost came home with a Potters Wrasse today, but I haven't ever researched them so I decided to wait. They're beautiful, but it looks like they're a little tricky to keep. This is an 'easy' tank and I'd like to keep it that way. Any ideas are welcome!

 

[c0nspire]

Hello, im just wondering where you get your livestock in langely? Im in abby/mission and have been going to abby, but I was curious to see what else it relatively local for me

 

[jenjen]

I get all my livestock either from J&L in Coquitlam or Ocean Aquatics in Delta. I prefer fish/livestock from J&L and corals from Ocean Aquatics.

 

[c0nspire]

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[jenjen]

Well, I'm still trying to figure out what to do for my last fish for this tank. My LFS gets a shipment of small fish in on Thursday, so I think I'll head down on Friday and see what's new. I'm really wanting a Potters Wrasse, but am just not sure about the dietary needs.

In the meantime I'm trying to figure out what corals to add to this tank. The middle rock will be a zoa garden, and I've added clove polyps to the right side but I'm thinking I may move them to the left rock. I'd like something else easy and with low light requirements for the other rock, but something with a different texture. Xenia might be an option, as it would add some movement to the tank and it's something different I definitely don't have in the other tank. Hmmm...

Ideas for fish or corals would be appreciated!

 

[jenjen]

I also have a fairly impressive GSP colony in my other tank which I could frag to put in this tank. Ohhhh the decisions! Does anyone know if GSP & clove coral can co-exist, or will one choke the other out?

 

[wcoast]

I've seen some people running a dedicated tank to mantis shrimps that have caught my interest... I'm still new, so I can only deal with one tank at the moment, but I've always thought that this would be an interesting option. Some of the mantis shrimps are quite nice to look at, and its said they are hardy and intelligent as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[sltloser]

hey jen, glad to see how well the tank looks. As far as livestock, have you looked at the pigmy angels? they are great, i have one in my tank and is only about an 1.5 to 2 inch and is a great community fish, another to look at would be a midas blenny, they will add a ton of movement to the tank and i think the 55 would be great for one. As far as corals go imo wouldn't put xenia or GSPs in, both are very fast spreading, and kill everything in their way. (the xenia will just smother the corals and the GPS have a pretty potent sting) some good corals would be any of the leather, kenya tree, spagetti leather, colt etc. mushrooms would look good, you might be able to get away with an open brain, candy cane, and up towards the light you might be able to do montipora capricornis, or pocillipora. Just a few options enjoy!

 

[jenjen]

I've seen some people running a dedicated tank to mantis shrimps that have caught my interest... I'm still new, so I can only deal with one tank at the moment, but I've always thought that this would be an interesting option. Some of the mantis shrimps are quite nice to look at, and its said they are hardy and intelligent as well. Just my 2 cents.

I agree, very interesting creatures. Not sure one would be compatible with everyone I already have in the tank, but species tanks are great for these guys!

 

[jenjen]

hey jen, glad to see how well the tank looks. As far as livestock, have you looked at the pigmy angels? they are great, i have one in my tank and is only about an 1.5 to 2 inch and is a great community fish, another to look at would be a midas blenny, they will add a ton of movement to the tank and i think the 55 would be great for one. As far as corals go imo wouldn't put xenia or GSPs in, both are very fast spreading, and kill everything in their way. (the xenia will just smother the corals and the GPS have a pretty potent sting) some good corals would be any of the leather, kenya tree, spagetti leather, colt etc. mushrooms would look good, you might be able to get away with an open brain, candy cane, and up towards the light you might be able to do montipora capricornis, or pocillipora. Just a few options enjoy!

Thanks! I'm really pleased with how it's coming along. Amazing since it was just a 'spare tank' at the start!

I was actually considering a dwarf angel of some sort - flame or potters are my first choices. Just wasn't sure if the lack of hiding spots would suit them?

Thanks for the coral ideas. I think I'll head down to the LFS on the weekend and see what catches my eye.

 

[jenjen]

Well, I picked a fish! Not actually one that was on my list, but close. She's acclimating now... pics once she's settled in.

 

[pskorf]

watching this
trying to come into salt and wonderful thought on doing this to daughters tank in her room

 

[jenjen]

I got a dwarf angel. She's an orange peel angel (orange version of the common lemonpeel angel) and I've named her Skye.

She's actually much prettier in person.. darn this camera (ok, perhaps it's the operator)! She has blue 'trim' and the blue around her eye is very dramatic.

She has taken over the Clarkii nest behind the center rocks, and they are moved into the left corner. Mrs is not thrilled, but she has backed down and is digging out her new nest. Skye is happily picking at the rocks.

I also moved some GSP into this tank as well as a few mushrooms. Moved the Clove Coral to the left rock & put the GSP on the right. I should be able to keep it isolated here. And one more zoa frag onto the center rockwork.

This tank is really taking shape!

 

[jenjen]

watching this
trying to come into salt and wonderful thought on doing this to daughters tank in her room

Thanks for checking out my tank!

I did FW for years before switching to salt, and don't regret it for a second! If you decide to go simplistic like I have in this tank, my one key suggestion would be to plan out a simplistic tank you're excited about. This tank would not be successful if it wasn't well planned out. I know this is true in most tanks, but far more so in a simplistic setup IMO.

Good luck!