My SPS & Clam Tank

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the fish suggestions!

I have some new photos. It’s been several months since I’ve shown my brain coral collection.

One got blown into my acanthastrea, which is why it’s been on the right side of the tank.
I had a few fish pick on the other that didn’t make it. This was several months ago.


I have LED now. Did I update this thread with LED pics?

Also, have you noticed my orange shoulder tang finally transitioned?

Looking great!

Your goniopora up on rocks, do you glue them down?

 

[Luisn17]

Petco has a 50% sale on all fish you may want to check them out. They ship directly from Quality Marine, I QT all my fish and only had issues with Anthias. 3 of 4 came in positive for Uronema. I plan on trying again with anthias if they come back on stock.

 

[Miami Reef]

Looking great!

Your goniopora up on rocks, do you glue them down?

Yes, everything on the rocks was initially glued down, except for the clams. The Goniopora encrust the rocks once they’re happy and established.

 

[Slocke]

Yes, everything on the rocks was initially glued down, except for the clams. The Goniopora encrust the rocks once they’re happy and established.

Just don’t ever get rock urchins

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/theres-something-fishy-about-this-build.1055155/post-13635972

 

[Miami Reef]

3 of 4 came in positive for Uronema.

I had a 100% uronema failure rate with the lyretails I got from my LFS this year.

I’m going to try Dr. Reef because he gets them from a clean source.

 

[Miami Reef]

Just don’t ever get rock urchins

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/theres-something-fishy-about-this-build.1055155/post-13635972

Pincushion urchins were the worst; they would knock down so many acros.

The glue and epoxy can only hold so well until the coral encrusts.

 

[Slocke]

Pincushion urchins were the worst; they would knock down so many acros.

The glue and epoxy can only hold so well until the coral encrusts.

Rocks are worse. At least you can remove pin cushions

 

[Miami Reef]

A look into a clam fanatic’s tank:

Even using corals as clam cradles.

 

[Miami Reef]

New fish will trickle in these next few weeks from Dr. Reef.

They will come in three separate lots.

Lot # 3 is coming first…

 

[jonelder68]

New fish will trickle in these next few weeks from Dr. Reef.

They will come in three separate lots.

Lot # 3 is coming first…

Anthias? Which kind did you go with if so? He only has dispar and lyretail from good sources. Tried more ignitus and 1 of 4 made it past 48 hours. Hope you have better luck. I’m going to try 3 dispars on the next order with a biota flame angle. Hopefully he’s not a nipper

 

[Miami Reef]

Anthias? Which kind did you go with if so? He only has dispar and lyretail from good sources. Tried more ignitus and 1 of 4 made it past 48 hours. Hope you have better luck. I’m going to try 3 dispars on the next order with a biota flame angle. Hopefully he’s not a nipper

My all-time favorite anthias is the lyretail. I love their bright orange color, their body shape, and just how “reef-y” they look. They’re the kind of fish that instantly make a tank feel like a slice of the ocean.

I’ve been inspired by this video; it’s been my muse for years.

Time to share it with you guys:

 

[jonelder68]

My all-time favorite anthias is the lyretail. I love their bright orange color, their body shape, and just how “reef-y” they look. They’re the kind of fish that instantly make a tank feel like a slice of the ocean.

I’ve been inspired by this video; it’s been my muse for years.

Time to share it with you guys:

100% agree! Anthias make a tank feel like a real reef. So much movement! Current favorite fish. I would love lyretails but my tanks to small So I’ll stick to ignitus and dispars. Im excited for you though. You’ll have to let us know when they arrive and how they’re doing. After last order I was almost turned off of Anthias. If they’re truly that difficult to acclimate/QT some fish are better left in the oceans. But willing to try out there dispars source which they claim is very good.

 

[Miami Reef]

I had a group of lyretails for 1.5 years. I think I got lazy with the extra feedings which resulted in most dying…I have 1 left from the initial batch 3 years ago.

I’m prepared this time with my auto feeder.

 

[Slocke]

My all-time favorite anthias is the lyretail.

If I could keep these alive…

 

[jonelder68]

I had a group of lyretails for 1.5 years. I think I got lazy with the extra feedings which resulted in most dying…I have 1 left from the initial batch 3 years ago.

I’m prepared this time with my auto feeder.

Reef nutrition fish eggs as well. Mine devour it.

 

[Miami Reef]

Update on My Tang Decision: A Slight Reconsideration

I know I previously said I wasn’t planning to add more tangs, and at the time, I genuinely thought I was done. But after reevaluating a few things, I’ve decided they’re not entirely off the table.

I recently added an auto feeder, which has helped a lot with consistent feeding. Previously, my fish were only getting food once or twice in the evening. I think that low feeding schedule may have contributed to most of the unwanted picking behavior.

I’ve also taken a closer look at what was actually happening with the tangs and my brain corals. Specifically, the yellow tang I had was likely picking at algae that had grown over exposed skeleton from previous injuries. The coral was already compromised (from other fish), and the tang just made a bad situation worse by irritating it further.

Unfortunately, that acantho didn’t make it despite months of trying, so that specific risk is no longer present. Going forward, I’m only considering tang species I’ve carefully thought about or had good firsthand experience with, including giving another yellow tang a try, since the issue may not have been its fault to begin with.

 

[Miami Reef]

Look at this enormous frogspawn we added

 

[jonelder68]

Look at this enormous frogspawn we added

It’s not stinging the acro in front?!?? LPS always annoyed me on how far they could sting neighbors.

 

[Red_Beard]

A look into a clam fanatic’s tank:

Even using corals as clam cradles.

Beautiful! Love all the clams!

 

[jonelder68]

Look at this enormous frogspawn we added

That acro should be known as Jake’s bean stalk! Crazy vertical growth Beautiful frogspawn btw