Thoughts on tank

[Juansamdi]

Hi all, I’m setting up my first reef tank and wanted to get some opinions on the scape so far. I have what's attached. I’m really new to all this and want to have a Florida-style reef with gorgonians, a rock flower anemone or bubble tip, some ricodias, maybe a clown fish pair for my nephew, a gramma, firefish or wrasse, a watchman goby + pistol pair, a cleaner shrimp, blenny, and a good clean-up crew. I have had a freshwater tank for over a year already, and I’m taking the plunge.

Let me know your suggestions on corals or fish. I’m not into big disco-looking tanks; I just want mine to look good next to my bar at home a little slice of home.

 

[PharmrJohn]

One of the more important things about scaping is to make sure there is one hiding place per fish. Sounds like you've got that mapped out ahead of time, which is great. And the structure you've created in terms of swim through works with swimthroughs.

 

[Juansamdi]

One of the more important things about scaping is to make sure there is one hiding place per fish. Sounds like you've got that mapped out ahead of time, which is great. And the structure you've created in terms of swim through works with swimthroughs.

Thanks. My family was making fun of me because I was “play I g with rocks!” I told them I needed to think of places to put my corals and my little fish needed hideyholes.

 

[PharmrJohn]

LOL, my wife asks me if I'm talking with my fishy-friends. Can't get away from family teasing!

 

[JoJosReef]

Hi all, I’m setting up my first reef tank and wanted to get some opinions on the scape so far. I have what's attached. I’m really new to all this and want to have a Florida-style reef with gorgonians, a rock flower anemone or bubble tip, some ricodias, maybe a clown fish pair for my nephew, a gramma, firefish or wrasse, a watchman goby + pistol pair, a cleaner shrimp, blenny, and a good clean-up crew. I have had a freshwater tank for over a year already, and I’m taking the plunge.

Let me know your suggestions on corals or fish. I’m not into big disco-looking tanks; I just want mine to look good next to my bar at home a little slice of home.

Is this a Waterbox 20 cube AIO?

Scape looks really good. My unsolicited advice is to head up to Tampa and get Tampa Bay Saltwater live sand to get that tank off to a good start. 20 gallons is about as small as I would go with a clown pair, and I wouldn't get any other water column fish since they could easily turn aggressive. Lots of people will say that they don't have a problem with their clowns, though. Shrimp goby should be very compatible. Some nano fish like a sixline or dottyback can hold their own, but then you also have the risk of them turning into serial killers.

A bubble tip could easily end up dominating that tank. Some stay smaller and split more often, but then they get out of hand and walk all over, and others, like my previous black widow BTA, grow to the size of dinner platters. RFAs should not be a problem in that tank, though, and you can add sexy shrimp that will appreciate the RFAs.

To advise on corals, need to know a bit more about your light(s) and goals. Are you hoping to stay on top of the tank and monitor it frequently for changes in parameters (alkalinity, calcium, magnesium [thumbs down], nitrates and phosphates)? Or are you looking for easy mode, no stress? Something in between?

Do you want flowy corals? Do you want branching sticks? Fleshy, puffy corals? Florida-only theme?

 

[Juansamdi]

Hey! Thanks for the input. I'm looking for something in between, with a mix of Florida themes. A rock flower anemone would be good, along with some zoas, gorgonians, ricordias, and macro algae. But I’m new and tend to overcomplicate. If I think I can't achieve what I want, I’ll stick to beginner corals until I have some time under my belt. I have an AI 16HD light.

 

[Juansamdi]

Hi all, I’m setting up my first reef tank and wanted to get some opinions on the scape so far. I have what's attached. I’m really new to all this and want to have a Florida-style reef with gorgonians, a rock flower anemone or bubble tip, some ricodias, maybe a clown fish pair for my nephew, a gramma, firefish or wrasse, a watchman goby + pistol pair, a cleaner shrimp, blenny, and a good clean-up crew. I have had a freshwater tank for over a year already, and I’m taking the plunge.

Let me know your suggestions on corals or fish. I’m not into big disco-looking tanks; I just want mine to look good next to my bar at home a little slice of home.

Is this a Waterbox 20 cube AIO?

Scape looks really good. My unsolicited advice is to head up to Tampa and get Tampa Bay Saltwater live sand to get that tank off to a good start. 20 gallons is about as small as I would go with a clown pair, and I wouldn't get any other water column fish since they could easily turn aggressive. Lots of people will say that they don't have a problem with their clowns, though. Shrimp goby should be very compatible. Some nano fish like a sixline or dottyback can hold their own, but then you also have the risk of them turning into serial killers.

A bubble tip could easily end up dominating that tank. Some stay smaller and split more often, but then they get out of hand and walk all over, and others, like my previous black widow BTA, grow to the size of dinner platters. RFAs should not be a problem in that tank, though, and you can add sexy shrimp that will appreciate the RFAs.

To advise on corals, need to know a bit more about your light(s) and goals. Are you hoping to stay on top of the tank and monitor it frequently for changes in parameters (alkalinity, calcium, magnesium [thumbs down], nitrates and phosphates)? Or are you looking for easy mode, no stress? Something in between?

Do you want flowy corals? Do you want branching sticks? Fleshy, puffy corals? Florida-only theme?

Hey! Thanks for the input. I'm looking for something in between, with a mix of Florida themes. A rock flower anemone would be good, along with some zoas, gorgonians, ricordias, and macro algae. But I’m new and tend to overcomplicate. If I think I can't achieve what I want, I’ll stick to beginner corals until I have some time under my belt. I have an AI 16HD light.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hi all, I’m setting up my first reef tank and wanted to get some opinions on the scape so far. I have what's attached. I’m really new to all this and want to have a Florida-style reef with gorgonians, a rock flower anemone or bubble tip, some ricodias, maybe a clown fish pair for my nephew, a gramma, firefish or wrasse, a watchman goby + pistol pair, a cleaner shrimp, blenny, and a good clean-up crew. I have had a freshwater tank for over a year already, and I’m taking the plunge.

Let me know your suggestions on corals or fish. I’m not into big disco-looking tanks; I just want mine to look good next to my bar at home a little slice of home.

Aquascape looks good. You have a good variety of spots for your fish to hide and plenty of room for coral to grow

 

[JoJosReef]

Hey! Thanks for the input. I'm looking for something in between, with a mix of Florida themes. A rock flower anemone would be good, along with some zoas, gorgonians, ricordias, and macro algae. But I’m new and tend to overcomplicate. If I think I can't achieve what I want, I’ll stick to beginner corals until I have some time under my belt. I have an AI 16HD light.

All of those should be fine under an AI prime. Gorgs are great for any tank. Rics are also relatively easy going. Thumbs up on the Macros. I'm currently running string of pearls, but good ones for a 20g would also be Botrycladia (red grape caulerpa, which is actually not a Caulerpa), dragon's breath, codium (go for the dwarf/short branch variety and put it in a shadier spot -- https://mosaicmacros.com/products/dwarf-stout-codium-codium-sp), and pom pom gracilaria. If you want a bit more green macro, you might try tufted Cymapolia: https://mosaicmacros.com/products/jointed-tuft-algae-cymopolia-barbata . I would stay away from Caulerpa in a nano. It grows like weeds and can be impossible to get rid of if you change your mind. Same with Ulva.

You may eventually want a stronger light if you decide to get some SPS or a clam, eventually. This would probably be the dream light for that tank: https://reefbreeders.com/products/meridian-11 . Slightly more budget option would be Nicrew Gen2 150 -- here I would go with a 90 degree lens to reduce light spill. Lightning a 17.7" x 14.6" display area can be a bit challenging, but a slightly lowered dual puck light would give good coverage.

Exciting times! Good luck getting it wet!

 

[Juansamdi]

Hey! Thanks for the input. I'm looking for something in between, with a mix of Florida themes. A rock flower anemone would be good, along with some zoas, gorgonians, ricordias, and macro algae. But I’m new and tend to overcomplicate. If I think I can't achieve what I want, I’ll stick to beginner corals until I have some time under my belt. I have an AI 16HD light.

All of those should be fine under an AI prime. Gorgs are great for any tank. Rics are also relatively easy going. Thumbs up on the Macros. I'm currently running string of pearls, but good ones for a 20g would also be Botrycladia (red grape caulerpa, which is actually not a Caulerpa), dragon's breath, codium (go for the dwarf/short branch variety and put it in a shadier spot -- https://mosaicmacros.com/products/dwarf-stout-codium-codium-sp), and pom pom gracilaria. If you want a bit more green macro, you might try tufted Cymapolia: https://mosaicmacros.com/products/jointed-tuft-algae-cymopolia-barbata . I would stay away from Caulerpa in a nano. It grows like weeds and can be impossible to get rid of if you change your mind. Same with Ulva.

You may eventually want a stronger light if you decide to get some SPS or a clam, eventually. This would probably be the dream light for that tank: https://reefbreeders.com/products/meridian-11 . Slightly more budget option would be Nicrew Gen2 150 -- here I would go with a 90 degree lens to reduce light spill. Lightning a 17.7" x 14.6" display area can be a bit challenging, but a slightly lowered dual puck light would give good coverage.

Exciting times! Good luck getting it wet!

Oh wow! Thanks man I really appreciate it. Right now the tank has water and my heater was set at 83 had to recalibrate it back to 77 degrees. Lots of tweaking and learning in store for me.