Fairy wrasse

[Bruce17]

In terms of porous media for bacterial colonization, you are relying very heavily on those biomedia blocks. Which can be fine - just something to be aware of.

I figured that I would lay them across the bottom of the first section of the sump and the sit the skimmer on top of it. It would be exposed from everywhere except where the skimmer touches the block. Any other suggestion? I’m open for suggestions. With my army injuries and the surgeries that lay ahead for me, I wanted a fish only because it would make the tank less stressful with the rocks and corals.

 

[nereefpat]

Most of us will recommend rock in the display. It doesn't have to be 8$/Lb live rock, and it doesn't have to be big and heavy. Lace rock, base rock, whatever you want to call it will get colonized by bacteria and algae, and also have places for your fishes to feel comfortable, graze, hide, and sleep.

 

[Bruce17]

Most of us will recommend rock in the display. It doesn't have to be 8$/Lb live rock, and it doesn't have to be big and heavy. Lace rock, base rock, whatever you want to call it will get colonized by bacteria and algae, and also have places for your fishes to feel comfortable, graze, hide, and sleep.

I purchased a big wall of fake rock and coral with overhangs, tunnels and caves for them to hide and swim in that they built with the tank. Would adding bioballs as well as biomedia blocks in the sump help?

 

[Bruce17]

I purchased a big wall of fake rock and coral with overhangs, tunnels and caves for them to hide and swim in that they built with the tank. Would adding bioballs as well as biomedia blocks in the sump help?

Or live rock in the sump?

 

[evolved]

Most of us will recommend rock in the display. It doesn't have to be 8$/Lb live rock, and it doesn't have to be big and heavy. Lace rock, base rock, whatever you want to call it will get colonized by bacteria and algae, and also have places for your fishes to feel comfortable, graze, hide, and sleep.

Agree.

I purchased a big wall of fake rock and coral with overhangs, tunnels and caves for them to hide and swim in that they built with the tank. Would adding bioballs as well as biomedia blocks in the sump help?

I understand you're after the easiest maintenance plan possible, but that big wall of fake rock will require cleaning just the same (if not worse) than actual rock will if your nutrients creep up. Biomedias are better than bioballs (IMO). Live rock in the sump as well can also help.

 

[Bruce17]

Agree.

I understand you're after the easiest maintenance plan possible, but that big wall of fake rock will require cleaning just the same (if not worse) than actual rock will if your nutrients creep up. Biomedias are better than bioballs (IMO). Live rock in the sump as well can also help.

So you think I should put the life rock in the sump as well as the biomedia? The $8 a pound isn’t an issue. I just wanted the look of the reef however I can’t do one with the angels that I want.

 

[pcon]

You can have a reef with angels, just takes some consideration and working around their taste. There are pictures pretty much every angel in a captive reef.

 

[Bruce17]

You can have a reef with angels, just takes some consideration and working around their taste. There are pictures pretty much every angel in a captive reef.

I agree however the issue as I mentioned before is that i’m a vet that is going through a lot of surgeries in the next little bit and I want the tank to be my place to recover and help me with my PTSD and other brain injuries from my military career. I’m not going to be in the right state to take on corals and worrying about all the stuff that require. Don’t get me wrong. I would love a beautiful coral reef and hopefully one day I will have one. However for the next 4-5 years, this is what I want to do.