20g stocking

[Pittsford_Pets]

Hey everybody! I'm going to focus more on my nano reef. I don't have a lot of coral, and what I have are basically frags. I currently have 2 ocellaris clownfish and I want some more fish. I'd prefer some water column swimmers but the tanks size limits what I get. I'm also gonna upgrade to a 40g in a few months so it can act as a grow out. Any ideas? How would a pair of banggai cardinals do? Or a yellow jawfish? Could I do both? Any help is appreciated!

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Here's a pic of the tank so far

 

[reeferfoxx]

I'm also gonna upgrade to a 40g in a few months so it can act as a grow out.

I would focus on the upgrade and not so much the fish at this point.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

I would focus on the upgrade and not so much the fish at this point.

I've already planned it all out, just don't have the funds to act on it. I want to do it right and I'd like to fix up my 20g before I jump to something new. It's my birthday in November and Christmas in December so that's when I'll buy everything. I'm only 14 so I won't be getting money from a job so I don't really have a way to "save up". I have a little bit of money at the moment from trading in some freshwater stuff, so I think I'll focus on this now. Any stocking ideas for the 20? It's pretty boring right now.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I've already planned it all out, just don't have the funds to act on it. I want to do it right and I'd like to fix up my 20g before I jump to something new. It's my birthday in November and Christmas in December so that's when I'll buy everything. I'm only 14 so I won't be getting money from a job so I don't really have a way to "save up". I have a little bit of money at the moment from trading in some freshwater stuff, so I think I'll focus on this now. Any stocking ideas for the 20? It's pretty boring right now.

Save your money. Unless you have a quarantine tank ready for new fish, adding anything could result in outbreak of ich, velvet, or some other disease/parasite. This would in turn kill all your fish you are wanting to add. Luck works sometimes but not all the time.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Save your money. Unless you have a quarantine tank ready for new fish, adding anything could result in outbreak of ich, velvet, or some other disease/parasite. This would in turn kill all your fish you are wanting to add. Luck works sometimes but not all the time.

I do have a quarantine. I was also planning to move all the fish into the 40 anyways so it's basically the same thing, I just get them now

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Wait, save your money, then get the 40. Then you have all that time to research and pick the fish you really want. IMO, cardinals are boring. They just sit there in one spot, doing nothing.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I'm of the same opinion as everyone else... wait. It's hard to do sometimes, but trust me you'll thank yourself later.

I currently have a 20g long setup with a pair of clowns, but I'm in the process of setting up a 40 breeder. My stock plans are to add a purple firefish and a royal gramma and maybe 1 other fish. They firefish and gramma will start off timid and hide but they will swim all around once they get used to you feeding them.

 

[Florida Sunshine]

I agree with the others telling you to wait but I also want to cast a vote against the bangaii cardinals unless you are going to breed them. The population in the wild is getting pretty limited and IMO they should only be kept at home for breeding purposes.
If you really want to get something now, make sure to go small. A clown goby might be nice. They are one of my favorites and stay small.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

I agree with the others telling you to wait but I also want to cast a vote against the bangaii cardinals unless you are going to breed them. The population in the wild is getting pretty limited and IMO they should only be kept at home for breeding purposes.
If you really want to get something now, make sure to go small. A clown goby might be nice. They are one of my favorites and stay small.

My LFS has aquacultured cardinals so that won't be an issue. I'll probably end up breeding eventually anyways so it won't be an issue. I have everything but the tank and rocks so I think I'll wait. Still not 100% sure if I'll go through with it so I want some fish now

 

[reeferfoxx]

My LFS has aquacultured cardinals so that won't be an issue. I'll probably end up breeding eventually anyways so it won't be an issue. I have everything but the tank and rocks so I think I'll wait. Still not 100% sure if I'll go through with it so I want some fish now

Keep in mind you only have a 20 gallon. So, adding two cardinals is about the extent of what can be added. Otherwise you could do a firefish and a shrimp and goby pair. I would keep it minimal for awhile and see how your tank handles it. My first tank was a 20 gallon and it topped out at 4 fish and a cleaner shrimp.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

My LFS has aquacultured cardinals so that won't be an issue. I'll probably end up breeding eventually anyways so it won't be an issue. I have everything but the tank and rocks so I think I'll wait. Still not 100% sure if I'll go through with it so I want some fish now

Well, you've had all 5 of the 5 people that responded to your thread tell you to wait but you don't seem like you want to do it so I don't know what else to tell you. I actually went through the same thing you're talking about last year and I wish I had not.

You're also going to be better off adding the new fish to your new tank before adding the clowns. Those 2 have already claimed the tank and will make it hard on any fish you add. Adding your cardinals as the first fish in your 40g will make sure it's established before adding the clowns. If you NEED to add a creature to your tank, I'd suggest adding a shrimp or crab or something to tide you over.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I also want to take back the firefish and shrimp with goby pair. After considering your aquascape, you haven't allowed any caves or hiding places for any new additions.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Thanks everyone! I'll probably just get an emerald crab or something. Maybe a shrimp or a firefish too. I had a firefish but he jumped 3 days after arrival

 

[reeferfoxx]

I had a firefish but he jumped 3 days after arrival

Because,

you haven't allowed any caves or hiding places for any new additions.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Because,

Actually I had a bit of rocks in the tank. I changed stuff around. I'm also cycling some rocks at the moment

 

[Isaac Alves]

Surprised at the strange aggressive tone that some of these responses are taking. It's awesome that at 14 you'll be getting into this hobby. Creativity is key as is the ability to provide the right conditions for thriving animals.

There's a lot you can do in a 20 long. Without having to add rock. My suggestion is to look into macro algae-scaping. This is a wonderful part of the hobby that is often over looked. But a marine macro tank can rival any freshwater planted tank. Not only are tons of varieties, but they provide cover and reduce nitrates/phosphates.

Also, gives you the ability to add more substrate. Which opens up the door to some very cool invertebrates, e.g., Bumble Bee Snails, Nassarius Snails, even a single fighting conch. Porcelain crabs are awesome. They don't need much space. Fun to feed and watch.

With the extra plants, you will make some room for extra bio load. But you need to test.

For fish, look at the Neon Blue Goby. Super tiny and can be paired up to show that behavior. With added texture in the water from the plants, your clowns will have fun exploring and picking through the algae.

You also can add some hermits, which I would suggest if you do this, being that they are great at rummaging for hidden food, etc.

Actually, for extra fun, depending on the size of your clowns you could look into an Angler. The behavior would be fun to watch.... Although you pretty much nix any other smaller nano fish, and even some slightly larger fish. More, discerning ambush predators are the pygmy scorpions -- they won't just stuff anything into their mouths. Then you can house smaller mollies or ghost shrink and watch that life cycle take place.

Honestly, if you setup a cool marine planted aquarium you probably won't tear it down. You'll likely just keep both the 40 and the 20. You can also just combine the systems and make an awesome display refugium with actual life.


Man, even some feather worms, with dragons breath. And some fern calurpa.

For dosing, you just need very little manganese/iron supplements and you can do this manually...a few drops a day.

But of course, without quarantining fish you risk a lot. I know Mr. @Humblefish always quarantines invertebrates but the risk is lower. Just slowly drip acclimate and transfer a couple of times from a couple of buckets to reduce the risk of bringing in any water from the LFS or online order. I use a bucket to dump them in, drip into it for like 45min. Then move them one by one to another bucket with my own tank water already in it -- - which is the same as the water they've been drip acclimating into --- note that you should remove water in the drip bucket periodically until you feel the old water has been replaced. Then drop them into the tanks.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Surprised at the strange aggressive tone

There wasn't any aggressive tone being used in this thread. These are mere suggestions to make sure the money isn't wasted and for him to do the right thing. I started with a 20 gallon and eventually upgraded to a 30. I should have started with the 30. However, I have the money to make the mistakes I've made. I can't assume this kid has the funds to make many changes and mistakes as most beginner reefers have made.

There's a lot you can do in a 20 long.

I believe the picture shows a 20 gallon high.

 

[reeferfoxx]

For what it's worth, this was my 20 gallon high..

Equiped with only a heater, 2 RW-4 power heads, and an Aquamax HOB-1 protein skimmer.

2 Osc. Clowns
1 Helfrechi Firefish
1 high-fin Red Banded Goby
1 Pistol Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Surprised at the strange aggressive tone that some of these responses are taking. It's awesome that at 14 you'll be getting into this hobby. Creativity is key as is the ability to provide the right conditions for thriving animals.

There's a lot you can do in a 20 long. Without having to add rock. My suggestion is to look into macro algae-scaping. This is a wonderful part of the hobby that is often over looked. But a marine macro tank can rival any freshwater planted tank. Not only are tons of varieties, but they provide cover and reduce nitrates/phosphates.

Also, gives you the ability to add more substrate. Which opens up the door to some very cool invertebrates, e.g., Bumble Bee Snails, Nassarius Snails, even a single fighting conch. Porcelain crabs are awesome. They don't need much space. Fun to feed and watch.

With the extra plants, you will make some room for extra bio load. But you need to test.

For fish, look at the Neon Blue Goby. Super tiny and can be paired up to show that behavior. With added texture in the water from the plants, your clowns will have fun exploring and picking through the algae.

You also can add some hermits, which I would suggest if you do this, being that they are great at rummaging for hidden food, etc.

Actually, for extra fun, depending on the size of your clowns you could look into an Angler. The behavior would be fun to watch.... Although you pretty much nix any other smaller nano fish, and even some slightly larger fish. More, discerning ambush predators are the pygmy scorpions -- they won't just stuff anything into their mouths. Then you can house smaller mollies or ghost shrink and watch that life cycle take place.

Honestly, if you setup a cool marine planted aquarium you probably won't tear it down. You'll likely just keep both the 40 and the 20. You can also just combine the systems and make an awesome display refugium with actual life.


Man, even some feather worms, with dragons breath. And some fern calurpa.

For dosing, you just need very little manganese/iron supplements and you can do this manually...a few drops a day.

But of course, without quarantining fish you risk a lot. I know Mr. @Humblefish always quarantines invertebrates but the risk is lower. Just slowly drip acclimate and transfer a couple of times from a couple of buckets to reduce the risk of bringing in any water from the LFS or online order. I use a bucket to dump them in, drip into it for like 45min. Then move them one by one to another bucket with my own tank water already in it -- - which is the same as the water they've been drip acclimating into --- note that you should remove water in the drip bucket periodically until you feel the old water has been replaced. Then drop them into the tanks.

Thanks! I'll read up on the algae. I have some hermits at the moment and they're pretty interesting, considering they're moving up into bigger shells that are covered in coralline algae. I'll definitely check out the goby and Angler. I appreciate your long response!