Not Clowning Around my Clowntank Harem build

[Michael A Kurolvech]

14 Aug Glass Anemone shrimp

 

[Pntbll687]

Thanks, This is my 2nd aquatop all in one, I think there a great starting point with plenty of room to personalize/upgrade.

Agreed!!

I work for a distribution company on the east coast that sells their products to independent stores. The aquatop line has some quality products like their AIO recife cubes/ kits like you have / return pumps. They also have some stuff that is not so good, but they good definitely out paces the bad.

And if you have any issues with the tank go back to the store and have them get in contact with the Aquatop rep, those guys will take care of anything.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Looking great. How many clowns are you planning to add? Do you have a source? Have a similar build underway in a 55g, thinking of adding 11 clowns.

I'm planning on doing 12 mixed varieties of Occalaris sp. Right now I'm working with a couple LFSs to put together the order but its difficult. So I'm just enjoying learning about BTAs. Good luck with yours, if I can help let me know

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

If I was going straight anemones, I'd agree. One already stung a monti pretty good and two of them kicked some leathers off their perch, lol.

Yeah, I've decided the challenge of keeping the clowns together is enough degree of difficulty for me. I decided to keep to BTAs and Clowns. I'm trying to stick to only adding things to the tank that benefit either the clowns or the BTAs.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

I've got a couple of questions for the group.

What type of interesting/cool inverts can I add to the tank that will not harass my BTAs?

I currently have 1 Fire Shrimp, 2 Porcelain crabs (Hosting in BTAs), 2 Glass Anemone Shrimp, 2 Pom Pom Crabs, 5 Hermit Crabs and 5 Snails.

I've been told by various folks at my LFS to avoid Coral banded Shrimp (aggressive). I've also been told both Camel and Peppermint Shrimp may pick at the BTAs.

I'm thinking about Sexy shrimp but have been told that clowns may snack on them although I may add them anyway seeing as I have no idea when I'll be adding clowns. Once I've added the clowns I'll eventually add a pistol shrimp/goby combo but want to get the main tenet in the tank before filling the guest house.

 

[Pntbll687]

Yeah, I've decided the challenge of keeping the clowns together is enough degree of difficulty for me. I decided to keep to BTAs and Clowns. I'm trying to stick to only adding things to the tank that benefit either the clowns or the BTAs.

If the sand gets dirty, BRS had some diamond gobies in their harem tank that seemed to work out.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

If the sand gets dirty, BRS had some diamond gobies in their harem tank that seemed to work out.

Yep, I've watched that series a bunch. That's my inspiration only with more variety

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Can’t wait to see photos of your fishy-fins making this their home!

Thanks. If I had my way I would have clowns already but putting together my clown order has been difficult for my LFSs. I've only got one shot at adding the fish so I'm being patient. It's frustrating not having the clowns but I'm learning so much about the BTAs,

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

OMG! Got a call from my LFS, they got in a big shipment of Clowns! Not the assortment that I had intended but the more I talked to the LFSs the less I believed I'd be able to get Exactly what I wanted. Super Happy with this group of 12.

2 Orange Storms
2 Mocha Storms
2 Black Ice
2 Chocolate Midnight
4 Snow Onyx

 

[swampy]

Wow, congrats! They look amazing. Interested to see how they all get along. Others have suggested to start with young ones all from the same clutch.

Also, this has been the quickest build thread I've ever read.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Wow, congrats! They look amazing. Interested to see how they all get along. Others have suggested to start with young ones all from the same clutch.

Also, this has been the quickest build thread I've ever read.

LOL. I aim to please. I read the same info as well as conflicting opinions. I ended up contacting ORA and talked with one of their reps who told me if you started while they were young as long as I matched size a mixed group has as good of success as any. I'm setting up the auto feeder now, trying to do all I can to limit aggression.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Feeding update/change.

Before getting my batch of clowns I knew feeding was going to be a key factor in limiting aggression so I purchased an auto feeder and small 1mm pellets to feed. I programed the feeder to feed 4 times daily.

After 2 days of automatic feedings I noticed not all the pellets were being consumed, more importantly I saw the clowns only nibbling on the food. I thawed a cube of mysis shrimp and fed the tank. The clowns most definitely attacked the mysis so I knew they were hungry but they avoided the larger mysis shrimp.

I think I overestimated the mouth size on my new clowns. Switched to a smaller size pellet and NOW my little clowns seem to be eating!

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

CUC additions.

After adding my 12 clowns on 13 Oct time to plus up my CUC. Saturday I added 15 additional blue leg hermit crabs and 5 more snails. My invertebrates roster now is:

20 hermit crabs
10 snails
2 pom pom crabs
2 porcelain crabs
2 glass shrimp
1 fire shrimp

I'm still looking to add cool/fun inverts. I've been told to avoid most ornamental shrimp, coral banded, camel and peppermint because they may pick at the BTAs. Im considering adding sexy shrimp but have been warned that the clown may pick them off.

Anyone with experience with clowns and sexy shrimp i'd love to hear your opinions also any invert suggestions are welcome

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Let me know how that xyclone skimmer works out. I had one for 6 months or so, but couldn't ever get it dialed in to skim consistently.

Not sure how to judge my skimmer. I find that even with the skimmer adjusted to its lowest setting, it still produces alot of skimmate. Im hoping its still in its break in phase. Picture shows roughly 24 hrs. Its producing so overall I'm satisfied. I just find it odd that I have no margin for adjustment but when I test for nitrates and phosphate my results tell me to leave things alone!

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Woke up this morning to find this! My speckled green BTA has moved to directly under my Maxspect Gyre. Ugh. I turned off the gyre and now the wait begins. This guy has shown to be patient/stubborn lol.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Got tired of waiting for my wanderer to decide what they wanted to do. Carefully peeled its foot off the glass and relocated to a nice neighborhood on the lower west side. Good light, nice flow but what do I know about anemone life lol.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Speckled Green BTA seems to have settled in. Hopefully it stays awhile looks good between a couple of reds

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

This is what desperate looks like! Lol. Im resisting the idea of netting and forcing introduction but I'm running out of patience! Not really, everyone is doing great, clowns all continue to coexist peacefully and BTAs are looking good.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

J.D. is upset that she doesn't have a build page.

 

[swampy]

This is what desperate looks like! Lol. Im resisting the idea of netting and forcing introduction but I'm running out of patience! Not really, everyone is doing great, clowns all continue to coexist peacefully and BTAs are looking good.

Good luck. Hopefully they'll host soon.