Hi, all,
I'm cranking up a new tank, so I am looking for stocking opinions.
Tank specs/info/stuph:
AGA 54 bow/corner with standard lid (keeping da critters in dere!)
Sump with some LR, skimmer, mag 3 return pump. Custom sump being constructed to provide for a build-in refugium.
Maxijet 900 and 600 in the tank to increase movement.
250 watt Reef Optics III pendant with AB 20K and IceCap ballast sitting 2" over the glass with a fan blowing by to help it cool. Will suspend higher when the hanger is ready. Will add some 6500K flourescent to enhance color balance. Might toss the 20K and go with 10K and actinics.
MRC nano dual stage calcium reactor will be installed when needed.
Kalcwasser top-off litermeter to be installed soon.
Temp 80-81 F
SG 1.025
pH 8.1
Ca 425
Nitrates 10 (hopefully will fall to zero in a few months like my nano)
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Iodine 5
Magnesium 1400
I forget the alk, but it's good (4?)
Tank was stocked with 45 lbs very porous cured LR. A couple weeks later I added 40 lbs of Oolitic sand. The sandbed was seeded from my older established nano tank. Tank has NEVER shown any measurable ammonia or nitrite (wierd, eh?) After seeding the sand, I tossed the occasional frozen shrimp in there to feed the sandbed critters. Lots of sandbed critters are visible. 3 weeks later I started adding fish.
Current residents:
One 2" Ocellaris clown
Two 2.5"
Lyretail Anthias
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Wanna-be residents (please critique selections)
One tank-rased
Orchid Dottyback. This guy is in my nano. He and the clown got along fairly well. I could see them hanging out near each other and never witnessed any scuffles between them. However, occasionally I might forget their breakfast or dinner and I'd find the clown in the back filter section of the JBJ nano. Hmmm.... There's a clue there....
One more Ocellaris
One more Lyretail Anthia. Some folks say I must keep at least 3 together. Some folks say one female is fine. Some folks say 5 is a minimum.
If I can convince myself that I can keep it alive, I'd like to add a dragonet. So I'm not adding anything that eats sandbed critters with the exception of the bristleworm-eating dottyback. To improve chances for succeeding at this, I plan to grow critters in the refugium.
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Caveats:
I've learned that the Anthias like larger tanks and can reach 5" in length. This is a bummer, but I'll do my best to keep them happy and hope they stay small (yea, right, you say). They are very picky eaters. So far they will eat frozen bloodworms and frozen daphnia. The anthia feeding question is:
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Where can I get good quality frozen plankton, bloodworms, and daphnia? Quality meaning low or zero heavy metals? I've read many times that these foods are high in heavy metals - not good for a reef tank.
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I'm concerned about the dottyback harassing the Anthias, who are reported to freak out around aggressive fish. I would like to think my dottyback will not harrass them. Wish me luck?
I want to add the dottyback last. This means it will be some time before I move him because I want to allow time to develop a good food supply for the dragonet first.
thoughts?
thanks!
