Help with 37 gallon reef tank

[Tyreefer]

Hey everyone, I just created an account with reef2reef because I’m in some desperate need of advice and help. I have a 37 gallon reef fish tank. Currently Fish wise I have: 1 saddleback clownfish, 1 yellow watchmen goby, some sort of wrasse almost looks like a Lubbock’s Wrasse 1, now a six line wrasse I added today, 1 chromi and a cleaner shrimp. As for coral I have 3 anemones, 2 mushroom corals, and 1 candy cane coral. I noticed today my wrasse (I think Lubbocks) is constantly chasing and charging my six line wrasse and my saddleback clownfish too chases everyone in the tank. I’m not sure why I have these aggression problems. If someone could advice me what to do, also what fish to even keep in my 37 gallon reef tank. I feel like everything I get always goes downhill and I can never enjoy my fish and tank pls help

 

[blaxsun]

The clownfish will probably be somewhat territorial around the anemones. You're not overstocked, so it could be a question of not enough rock or hiding spots for the wrasses (I'd need to see a shot of your tank).

I have a sixline and lubbock's fairy wrasse in my display, but it's larger and I have a lot of hiding spots.

 

[Tyreefer]

The clownfish will probably be somewhat territorial around the anemones. You're not overstocked, so it could be a question of not enough rock or hiding spots for the wrasses (I'd need to see a shot of your tank).

I have a sixline and lubbock's fairy wrasse in my display, but it's larger and I have a lot of hiding spots.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Your clown is going to be territorial to any place it "natively" likes to be. Wherever that is in your tank. I see it now on the right side so I presume that's its anemone it's chosen although it may be confused if its moving around and hasn't found its ideal flow location. I strongly advise against this many in this tank, they get big!

I'm guessing your two wrasse are competing for the remainder of hiding spots and from the looks of your chosen live rock, there does not appear to be too many of these. This is one of the reasons folks have opted for NSA rock builds or the like. I recommend starting again with introducing your fish, starting with the clown AND anemone and then adding the wrasses in one at a time. The chromis is likely safe towards its upper swim range and I recommend, choose the goby or the 2nd wrasse but not both. I don't see a sump or other export system therefore your going to be challenged as these fish get larger. My $0.02 and best of luck.

 

[Tyreefer]

Your clown is going to be territorial to any place it "natively" likes to be. Wherever that is in your tank. I see it now on the right side so I presume that's its anemone it's chosen although it may be confused if its moving around and hasn't found its ideal flow location. I strongly advise against this many in this tank, they get big!

I'm guessing your two wrasse are competing for the remainder of hiding spots and from the looks of your chosen live rock, there does not appear to be too many of these. This is one of the reasons folks have opted for NSA rock builds or the like. I recommend starting again with introducing your fish, starting with the clown AND anemone and then adding the wrasses in one at a time. The chromis is likely safe towards its upper swim range and I recommend, choose the goby or the 2nd wrasse but not both. I don't see a sump or other export system therefore your going to be challenged as these fish get larger. My $0.02 and best of luck.

Thank you for replying back to me! When I first got this tank I went to my local saltwater fish store and they told me if I put the Tidal 35 and Tidal 75 filter on my tank it’ll be enough to make up for a skimmer and or pump. That’s why you see I have two filters going with very good media in both. I also only have one pump going because they told me 2 would be too much. The rock you see in my tank is actually all dry rock that I purchased and put together myself. I have no live rock in my tank due to bristle worm trouble. If you recommend to start again, how should my rock work be? And I also have no where to put my fish if I take them out and start over, unfortunately I don’t have a quarantine tank. Lastly, choose my 2nd wrasse or goby? Is there a reason why? My watchmen is one of my most peaceful fish and keeps to himself, same with poor little sixline he’s so peaceful just getting chased over and over again this morning

 

[OfficeReefer]

Could you provide some better images of the rock work please?

I think it's possible to do a FOWLR tank with this setup no problem but it might be helpful to provide a little more details for us to point you in the right direction. I do recommend you purchase a small 5-10g for a quarantine tank and you may need to treat your fish (or corals) in the future. It doesn't have to have the best lighting on it but it can be useful. I'd also recommend a small basket to sit inside it for further isolation of repeat offenders and sequential introduction into the tank.

Approximate tank age?
Lighting type?
Accessories?
Water parameters?

 

[Tyreefer]

Could you provide some better images of the rock work please?

I think it's possible to do a FOWLR tank with this setup no problem but it might be helpful to provide a little more details for us to point you in the right direction. I do recommend you purchase a small 5-10g for a quarantine tank and you may need to treat your fish (or corals) in the future. It doesn't have to have the best lighting on it but it can be useful. I'd also recommend a small basket to sit inside it for further isolation of repeat offenders and sequential introduction into the tank.

Approximate tank age?
Lighting type?
Accessories?
Water

Here are better pictures of my tank. I also took a picture of the type of light I have, accessories like heater and type of pump, and my water levels I took just now. I also put up a closer look of the type of wrasse I have. Thanks again

 

[Tyreefer]

Here are better pictures of my tank. I also took a picture of the type of light I have, accessories like heater and type of pump, and my water levels I took just now. I also put up a closer look of the type of wrasse I have. Thanks again

 

[OfficeReefer]

Good looking tank! This is the painted reef rock correct?

It's possible one or more of your fish is seeing a reflection of itself against that background. It's also a probability that you will need to lower this by at least another fish or so and considering some urchins and/or emerald crabs for the hair algae. As for the rock, maybe try removing the reflective area for a non-reflective one or consider growing GSP on areas coraline algae does not appear. Do be aware its abilities to spread easily.

As mentioned before, the anemones can get quite large and will eventually propagate in the tank. Your other inhabitants need to be properly introduced where possible to determine the conflict. Try this and watch your nitrates/phosphates, consider GFO HOB if needed.

 

[Tyreefer]

Good looking tank! This is the painted reef rock correct?

It's possible one or more of your fish is seeing a reflection of itself against that background. It's also a probability that you will need to lower this by at least another fish or so and considering some urchins and/or emerald crabs for the hair algae. As for the rock, maybe try removing the reflective area for a non-reflective one or consider growing GSP on areas coraline algae does not appear. Do be aware its abilities to spread easily.

As mentioned before, the anemones can get quite large and will eventually propagate in the tank. Your other inhabitants need to be properly introduced where possible to determine the conflict. Try this and watch your nitrates/phosphates, consider GFO HOB if needed.

Thank you so much! & Yes some of it is painted purple dry rock and regular white dry rock. Good idea about the background I wasn’t a huge fan of it anyways would like something that looks a little better lol. Any suggestions on proper way to remove anemone? I know when their foot is attached it could be a struggle. I don’t want to hurt them. I also forgot to show you my water levels the other day! Here they are!

 

[OfficeReefer]

I can state that I've not really had good use of the API test kits for anything serious reef. It's not that it's a terrible reagent but rather their colorimetric charts can be a challenge, not to mention you're missing key tests for corals and overall tank stability. I like to akin these to Taylor reagents for a pool or spa, whereas one has more leniency to an extent. However, if you get a really good process and keep that very consistent, as in recorded and reviewed on a regular basis you'll be fine.

If I am looking at this correctly, your pH is slightly elevated and is related to your alkalinity. One should not have any ammonia though and I would retest for this. How old is the rock?

The nitrates appear to be acceptable however you'll want to test for alkalinity more than pH. If the alkalinity does not swing much, your pH will be fine. You'll also need to consider calcium and magnesium with knowing your expecting salinity, both in the tank and in the new water you'll use in changes. If you have a rock that is still curing, I don't know I'd put it in the tank unless I was certain no ammonia was present. Check that along with monitoring for phosphates and nitrates, which will drive your algae growth rates.

The anenome matter is another story itself. There are a few threads both here and elsewhere, including on YouTube. Consider the approach that suits you best. Good luck!