[MikeReefxx]

I currently have a biocube 29 nano reef tank with 35 lbs of live rock, 20 lbs live sand, a refugium and tons of copepods, InTank media basket running chemipure elite and purigen, and the stock protein skimmer. At this point I have various mushrooms, zoas, frogspawns, palys, a brain, and GSP. I also have a cleaner shrimp, a randall's watchman goby and a tiger pistol shrimp and a CUC. Later this week I am going to go pick up a mismatched pair of tank bred clownfish, one is an occelaris and one is a black occelaris.

I am also looking to add in this order over a period of a few months:

Mandarin Goby
Royal Gramma
Flame Angelfish


Tank is about 5 1/2 months old. Lots of pods, corraline, and hair algae is gone as of a month ago. Also Amm- 0 nitrite- 0 nitrate- <2.5 ppm PH 8.2
Calcium- 420

Any thoughts, comments, or concerns anyone could share would be great!

 

[Chad]

Two clowns and a goby is really the right stocking level for a BioCube. One more fish, depending on the fish, would probably work out. Of the list above the gramma is the only one I would add. The flame would be cramped and the mandarin would struggle to get enough food out of such a small tank. That's my two cents.

 

[richkor]

As usual, Chad is spot on, so +1

 

[MikeReefxx]

Thanks for the input guys. I really want a flame but based on the feedback I've gotten and the research I've done I guess I am going to have to wait until I set my 180 back up when I finish my degree and find a more permanent place. As far as the mandarin if I get on ORA mandarin that is already eating frozen mysis, (my local fish store claims to be able to get them) do you think that would work out?

 

[Chad]

I want a flame too! Beautiful fish. They are known to eat corals so I have to do without. It's like that in this hobby, sometimes we have to enjoy the fish we love in someone else's tank.

 

[MikeReefxx]

Absolutely. Its a shame. Its the fish that got me into this hobby and yet I've never had one. I've always had a reef tank at some point or another and just couldn't bring myself to chance it because of the expensive corals. I was thinking about it with this tank but its too small based on what just about everyone has told me. One day I will have that FOWLR and get one but until then I guess it'll just have to wait.

 

[richkor]

I have a FOWLR (55g) specifically for this fish

 

[Chad]

Lately, with my new tank, I've been tempted to just get one and take a chance with it eating the corals, but I really love my corals.

 

[MikeReefxx]

Yeah definitely, its a really tough call but in the end its up to you. You may get lucky, you may not, but it may just be worth the risk for such a great fish.

 

[MikeReefxx]

Btw your 210 build is looking awesome. It looks like you are living the dream my friend.

 

[Chad]

Thanks. I've been lazy about photos over the last few weeks and need to post. The tank looks a lot better now.

 

[steelerseb]

I too have been dreaming of a flame angel. maybe you want a clown goby for your tank? theyre pretty small aren't they?

 

[MikeReefxx]

Clown goby's are great little fish. I love the yellow ones. So much personality, my girlfriend absolutely loves them and is begging me to get one, so I think I might get one for my 10 gallon nano. @ Tcamos definitely post those pictures when you get a chance I'd really like to see how its coming along and I know a lot of people on this forum are following it

 

[Chad]

Here's an article on the yellow clown goby you might find helpful.