25 gallon setup feedback!

[jorge_lopez]

Hi all! I tried to add some caves and an overhang after a first round of feedback on my aquascape and I'm hoping to get more feedback! I'm using a piece of pvc pipe on the sandbed as well to try to add an area for a goby/shrimp combo. I would also appreciate any recommendations on the best place to put the wavemaker!

I'm planning on cycling the tank soon, and I am hoping to add a firefish goby, a watchman goby, a candy cane shrimp, 2 clownfish, a cleaner shrimp, a royal gramma, various corals, and some snails/hermit crabs/ 1 emerald crab as CUC; over the course of a year or more if needed. Would that be too many fish for this tank?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Your stock list is fine for a tank that size!

Does your wavemaker cause surface agitation where it is? If not, I would raise it a little

You could add more rock if you want to, but that is all up to personal preference

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally it sounds like a lot of fish.... the firefish, royal gramma and watchman all like tight caves, arches are not the best rockwork for these type of rock dwelling fish. Each fish would need its own tight little cave away from the others, and the 2 clowns will claim a third of that tank for themselves, leaving little space for the others. Its just how I would think about it. I don't see any powerheads in the tank, but I would add one or a pair to get more flow and more surface agitation.

 

[PharmrJohn]

With aquascapes, the general rule of thumb is to have as many hiding places for as many fish in your tank. In terms of population, I think what you have planned is a little on the high side as well. You need to take into consideration territoriality. Those clown fish will rule the tank pretty much guaranteed. They like their space.

 

[gkprevite]

It’s not too many fish but it’s too many fish. Bio load wise it’s not to crazy, but personality wise the clowns will get territorial and could cause problems with the other fish. My clowns have harassed a few fish into either jumping or just stressing them to the point they can’t thrive. I’d add them last or consider maybe 1 clown as they are less aggressive when they aren’t paired.

 

[jorge_lopez]

Thanks for the feedback! I will build another cave or two using PVC pipe+rocks on the left side of the tank, and I will definitely be re-thinking my livestock plan.

In terms of surface agitation I have the two default return pumps angled upwards so that they both agitate the surface, and flow inside the tank is created by the Jebao Jecob Wave Maker that is on the left side of the tank. Should I place the wave maker higher?

 

[Daasmo]

My clownfish and gramma never got along even in a larger tank, just my experience. I currently have an IM 25 with my clownfish pair, Springer's Damsel and Yellow watchman and pistol shrimp. I will maybe add my clown goby to this tank but I'm hesitant. The only other fish my clowns seemed to not care at all any was a lawnmower blenny but you need a lot of algae to feed those.