Waterbox Cube 10 Gallon stocking help and ideas for a Soft Corals only tank

[dawi03]

Hi All!

move got my hands on a small 10 gallon cube for my son in his bedroom, and I want it really simple so I won’t have much maintenance.

I was thinking doing soft corals only. Does anyone have any pictures of a soft corals only cube?

also what would be the best stocking ideas for a 10 gal cube?

thanks!!!

 

[Tamberav]

Hi All!

move got my hands on a small 10 gallon cube for my son in his bedroom, and I want it really simple so I won’t have much maintenance.

I was thinking doing soft corals only. Does anyone have any pictures of a soft corals only cube?

also what would be the best stocking ideas for a 10 gal cube?

thanks!!!

I would do a neon green nepthea for sure. It’s not invasive like Kenya.

Gorgs are great.

Mushrooms, I like yumas or Florida ricordias. The disco type shrooms can be pretty invasive.

GSP on back wall

Cloves on their own rock

Rock flower nems will do well

Toadstools or devils hand are fine but they can grow large. Easy to frag though.

Ruby Red Xenia and Giant Bali Xenia are less invasive then the regular Red Sea kind. I would probably place them on an edge or island anyways.

Palys are toxic so maybe avoid those since it is in a child’s bedroom.

 

[dawi03]

I would do a neon green nepthea for sure. It’s not invasive like Kenya.

Gorgs are great.

Mushrooms, I like yumas or Florida ricordias. The disco type shrooms can be pretty invasive.

GSP on back wall

Cloves on their own rock

Rock flower nems will do well

Toadstools or devils hand are fine but they can grow large. Easy to frag though.

Ruby Red Xenia and Giant Bali Xenia are less invasive then the regular Red Sea kind. I would probably place them on an edge or island anyways.

Palys are toxic so maybe avoid those since it is in a child’s bedroom.

Thanks! I want to give the tank some nice colour if I can as it was a toss up between planted aquarium and soft coral. I figured softies and anemone when matured will be easy as I can use the tank water from my main tank as well for nutrient changes

 

[dawi03]

any Fish & cuc ideas at all?

I would do a neon green nepthea for sure. It’s not invasive like Kenya.

Gorgs are great.

Mushrooms, I like yumas or Florida ricordias. The disco type shrooms can be pretty invasive.

GSP on back wall

Cloves on their own rock

Rock flower nems will do well

Toadstools or devils hand are fine but they can grow large. Easy to frag though.

Ruby Red Xenia and Giant Bali Xenia are less invasive then the regular Red Sea kind. I would probably place them on an edge or island anyways.

Palys are toxic so maybe avoid those since it is in a child’s bedroom.

 

[Tamberav]

In a 10g… I like small fish like Tailspot blenny, green banded gobies, neon goby, springer damsel and such.

Trochus snails for cuc. A female emerald crab if algae is being a nuisance or just fun to watch. ORA captive breeds tuxedos so they come in tiny. It may eventually need a bigger home down the line.

One hermit crab as kids like those too.

Can always supplement the cuc with nori if not enough algae.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

For sessile invertebrates, I would do some nephthea, mushrooms, rock flower anemones, ricordea, acans, some waving hand anthelia, and xenia. I wouldn't normally include xenia and anthelia, but their fast growth and movement will be very interesting to a kid. For CUC, a halloween urchin and a few hermits will be all you need. The urchin will destroy any algae in a tank of that size, and you might even need to supplement its diet with nori. For fish, you could do a springeri or rolland's damselfish, either would be great. Add a pistol shrimp and goby pair, and that will round out the tank.

 

[dawi03]

You guys are awesome Thankyou!!!!

 

[davidcalgary29]

These are great suggestions...but I'd still proceed slowly. Softies can be aggressive in their own way, and many don't do well in new tanks. Best for new tanks, and picking from @Tamberav and @Anemone_Fanatic's lists:

-Grube's gorgonian (avoid others until the tank matures)
-mushrooms (but avoid the silly, extra-expensive types)
-nepthea (the purple varieties are a great substitute for Kenya Trees)
-xenia (which will become a nuisance in the right conditions, but add movement and colour)

Don't be afraid to add some red macroalgae, like "dragon's breath" halymenia. It's great stuff.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

I second the halymenia. Nutrient uptake and a red color that just can't be found anywhere else combined.