Ok, with the upcoming nano build off, I have started to think about what kind of fish and clean up crews I want to keep. I figured I would ask you, the expert on your suggestions.
First of all, my goal with the 10g is to have a sumpless design that has smooth flowing lines. Basically, I do not want the inside of the tank to be cluttered with powerheads, nor do I want HOB or skimmers that come over the top of the water line. So I think to run a succesful nano, without skimmers, I will have to really pick me bioload carefully.
So what is everyone's suggestion for fish and inverts. I do not want to have any fish that does not have a purpose. For instance, I think firefish are cool nano fish, but I am not sure they serve a purpose other than aesthetics.
I was thinking 2 fish would be my fish load
I will be running sand in this tank, so I was thinking a nice small fish that mixes up the sand would be nice. The only thing is, since its a 10g what would do a good job, but could also be fed other stuff so it did not starve.
Engineer gobies are great but may cause too much havoc, so then I was thinking about a 2 spot goby. Any other good ideas?
For the second fish, I was thinking a blenny since they eat algae, but then we would have no fish that swim in the open water. What is a good, small herbivore that swims in the open?
As for a clean up crew, in your opinion, what is the optimum clean up crew size? I do not believe 1:1, water:critter. I want want I was thinking that I could start with the following:
A couple of nassarius would be good for the sand
A couple of Florida grazers/turbos would be good for the rocks and walls
A couple blue legged hermits to round out the bunch.
1 shrimp of some sort for detritus (I think they eat it, but please correct me if I am wrong)
I could always add more if they cannot handle the bioload.
Of course, corals will be added as well
I really appreciate your help.
Dale
First of all, my goal with the 10g is to have a sumpless design that has smooth flowing lines. Basically, I do not want the inside of the tank to be cluttered with powerheads, nor do I want HOB or skimmers that come over the top of the water line. So I think to run a succesful nano, without skimmers, I will have to really pick me bioload carefully.
So what is everyone's suggestion for fish and inverts. I do not want to have any fish that does not have a purpose. For instance, I think firefish are cool nano fish, but I am not sure they serve a purpose other than aesthetics.
I was thinking 2 fish would be my fish load
I will be running sand in this tank, so I was thinking a nice small fish that mixes up the sand would be nice. The only thing is, since its a 10g what would do a good job, but could also be fed other stuff so it did not starve.
Engineer gobies are great but may cause too much havoc, so then I was thinking about a 2 spot goby. Any other good ideas?
For the second fish, I was thinking a blenny since they eat algae, but then we would have no fish that swim in the open water. What is a good, small herbivore that swims in the open?
As for a clean up crew, in your opinion, what is the optimum clean up crew size? I do not believe 1:1, water:critter. I want want I was thinking that I could start with the following:
A couple of nassarius would be good for the sand
A couple of Florida grazers/turbos would be good for the rocks and walls
A couple blue legged hermits to round out the bunch.
1 shrimp of some sort for detritus (I think they eat it, but please correct me if I am wrong)
I could always add more if they cannot handle the bioload.
Of course, corals will be added as well
I really appreciate your help.
Dale