Stocking and rock scape help

cactusreef

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
May 5, 2026
Messages
26
Reaction score
17
Location
california
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello. I am currently cycling a 24 gallon tank. I have a couple questions. Is my sand deep enough for digging animals such as a shrimp/goby pair? Second, I like the minimalist look for the rocks but I also want a couple clownfish and I hear they like taller rock? Should I change my scape with something taller? My stocking plan (after cycle) is two clowns, shrimp/Goby pair, and Tailspot Blenny. I also plan on getting coral (and CUC of course).
Thanks in advance!
20260508_110549_89642BF9-4BD2-4A28-9C57-ED12DD300FE4.png
 

whalewhalewhale

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 16, 2021
Messages
38
Reaction score
24
Location
Los Angeles
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I don't think clowns are picky about having "taller rock". They do eventually find some territory to hang out on. They aren't very mobile fish outside of feeding. I'd be more worried about the blenny not having enough places to perch on as the clowns will likely defend the whole rock area if they claim it. My clowns took over a corner of the tank with zoas and duncans and do not let any other fish near.

The pistol shrimp and goby will make do with what they have. It's highly likely they'll end up creating a massive mound somewhere either way. If you want to keep them happy, I recommend dropping in some empty shells, coral skeletons, and rubble to help it build its den. The pistol shrimp mainly looks for something to support the den, and if it can't find anything, there's a high chance it'll end up making a cave underneath your rock work.
 

The_DuckTank

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
May 8, 2026
Messages
35
Reaction score
46
Location
Bradenton
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey man this looks great! Sand looks good, a little on the beefy side but that’s totally fine!!! Just make sure to keep it stirred / cleaned via cuc or manual vacuum when doing water changes. Your sand dwelling water pets will love this sand bed!

Also the rock scape looks sick! Don’t worry about the clowns they will appreciate anything and will find a place to call home. Don’t be surprised if you see them favoring a corner of your tank, that is totally normal. I bought a little skull for my tank and my clown decided it wanted to host that!.

Stock list looks great, my #1 recommendation for cuc with that deep of a sand bed will be nassarius snails! They do a great job of keeping everything stirred and clean, super fun to watch when you feed too!

Just one question, are you doing a fish in or fishless cycle! If your putting clowns in, there’s nothing hurting you starting the cycle with the clowns, there near bullet proof and as long as you add the appropriate amount of bottled bacteria you’ll be chillin😎
 

Mr. Mojo Rising

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Messages
13,336
Reaction score
15,812
Location
Toronto
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Clownfish don't really hang out in the rocks, but gobies and blennies love rock. Blennies especially like swimming in and out of rockwork.

Personally I would try to add more rock and go higher, like in the above pick, the above uses the length and depth of the tank, your tank has that empty look, and honestly fish will always appreciate more rock.
 
OP
OP
cactusreef

cactusreef

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
May 5, 2026
Messages
26
Reaction score
17
Location
california
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey man this looks great! Sand looks good, a little on the beefy side but that’s totally fine!!! Just make sure to keep it stirred / cleaned via cuc or manual vacuum when doing water changes. Your sand dwelling water pets will love this sand bed!

Also the rock scape looks sick! Don’t worry about the clowns they will appreciate anything and will find a place to call home. Don’t be surprised if you see them favoring a corner of your tank, that is totally normal. I bought a little skull for my tank and my clown decided it wanted to host that!.

Stock list looks great, my #1 recommendation for cuc with that deep of a sand bed will be nassarius snails! They do a great job of keeping everything stirred and clean, super fun to watch when you feed too!

Just one question, are you doing a fish in or fishless cycle! If your putting clowns in, there’s nothing hurting you starting the cycle with the clowns, there near bullet proof and as long as you add the appropriate amount of bottled bacteria you’ll be chillin😎
Awesome thanks! I am doing fishless partly strategically but also because I’m still financially recovering from buying the tank. Thanks for the info! Maybe I will add in some smaller rocks on the edges.
 
OP
OP
cactusreef

cactusreef

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
May 5, 2026
Messages
26
Reaction score
17
Location
california
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Clownfish don't really hang out in the rocks, but gobies and blennies love rock. Blennies especially like swimming in and out of rockwork.

Personally I would try to add more rock and go higher, like in the above pick, the above uses the length and depth of the tank, your tank has that empty look, and honestly fish will always appreciate more rock.
Makes sense, thanks! In my defense it is currently empty 😂

I think I’ll probably add a bit more rock.
 
OP
OP
cactusreef

cactusreef

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
May 5, 2026
Messages
26
Reaction score
17
Location
california
Rating - 0%
0   0   0

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 34 27.6%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 43 35.0%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 27 22.0%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 11 8.9%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 8 6.5%
Back
Top