daniomom

Converting 47 G tall tank into Saltwater. Bought 24 G nanocube with hopes of having it set up with a couple of hardy things/fish in it that I can remove when I need to use it as a Saltwater quarantine tank.

What can go in a full time 24 G Nanocube quarantine tank so that it will look pretty but occupants can be removed to put in big tank when it needs to be used for quarantine? Should it have live rock or will it be killed when it is used to possibly medicate fish? I could really use some help...I'm already doing a ton of research & want to do this right.

Stocking possibility for 47G:
2 Clownfish
6 Blue green chromis
2 Zebra goby/dartfish
1 Six Line Wrasse
1 Royal Gramma?
1 Purple Firefish? not sure if it can go with gobys
Any suggestions?
Not sure what kind of shrimp/cleaner fish would be OK?

JohnnyOcean

Well in a quarantine tank you can go minimal. If you have live rock a fish might hide in it if you try to net them. But if you use the quarantine tank as a hospital tank then any meds for fish might not be compatible with the many creatures in live rock. Usually meds containing copper is not compatible with inverts. You may want to consider a separate hospital tank.

daniomom

You are so right! Today the guy at the saltwater LFS told me it was crazy to get an expensive set up for a quarantine tank. He convinced me to set up a minireef with small fish in the 24 G tank. He suggested to a get cheapo 10G tank for quarantine. I just don't know yet what I would need to filter that tank without having a loud biowheel.

Now with Nanocube on it's way I think I just might keep my 47 G freshwater & use the Nanocube as a miniSaltwater tank until I get really comfortable with caring for saltwater fish. I seriously have a case of MTS...My dream is to have a 150 or more G but since I have never kept saltwater fish I want to make sure I know how to do it right before making that investment/commitment. I'm going to have to figure out what fish can go in a 24G tank & still be happy.

JohnnyOcean

on the quaratine you can have a basic powerfilter with basic filters. so when you medicate you can easily remove the carbon and stuff. as for the stocking of the 24g there are a lot of easy beginner fishes to start with like damsels for example. that goes for coral as well usually you start with the softies like mushrooms and zoanthids. then pretty soon if not already you'll be hooked and then you'll want a full blown reef tank with all sorts of care level inhabitants.

daniomom

I was hooked the moment I saw the variety of coral out there. I think the mushrooms are really pretty. I am doing my research to get the easiest ones that don't require massive light set ups. I am also a little leary of some of the things that sting...

I decided on a Pajama Cardinal, Ocellaris clownfish, Six line wrasse, & firefish. I went to look at the corals & they are beautiful. My tank should arrive at end of next week! Thanks for the info-I am definitely going cheap on the quarantine tank. One guy at the fish store said I didn't need to quarantine the fish since I'll only have a few fish. I was shocked to hear him say that since saltwater tanks/fish are so much more fragile...

JohnnyOcean

Its a good thing that your experienced in fish keeping. I'd be cautious when dealing with this lfs. Do your research. As far as your choices of fish, its a good start. I have had all these before and all are good fish in terms of ease of care, hardiness and temperment. I think you'll enjoy these guys especially the clown. The actually don't swim like the other fishes they kinda wiggle like puppies. I have some 3 albums on my profile, you can check them out if you want. In fact 2 of the 4 fish are some of my current residents.
Good luck.

daniomom

Your fish are beautiful!!! Have you had good experience with your skunk cleaner shrimp? I am trying to decide between fire shrimp & skunk cleaner shrimp. I have read that some shrimp like camel shrimp get overzealous in their cleaning & can wound the fish...Have you found it to be hardy/had any problems with it?

JohnnyOcean

Thank you.
I've kept 2 types of shrimp skunk and peppermint. Both for their cleaning ablities. The skunk for tank and fish maintenance and the peppermint for tank and aiptasia anenome. I currently have only 1 skunk left the other two got old and well you know. However both species are quite hardy and don't bother tank inhabitants. The skunk will climb to a point on the rocks and set up a cleaning station. In fact if you put your hand into the tank the skunk will climb on and start cleaning. My shrimp is not shy in fact at times when I am trying to examine something the skunk will come right up to the glass and hang out right in front obscuring my view or when I'm target feeding, here he comes so I have to give him a little piece then he is on his way.
When I was in the process of choosing inverts. My decisions were based on a specific need for the tank environment. Then asthetics was the later deciding factor.

daniomom

I thought Skunk for ICH/parasites. Peppermint in case of Aiptasia but I read that sometimes the peppermint would attack other corals? I just read that Fire shrimp have been known to attack fish & other shrimp/corals so I removed them from the list but they sure are beautiful... I will hopefully be getting mixed Ricordea mushrooms once tank is established & healthy (6 months?).

The 24G Nanocube should arrive this week & I'll set it up over weekend with saltwater then cured live rock. My kids are about to burst with excitement. If you can believe it they wanted a saltwater tank instead of a puppy! They love the fish in our other tank & really wanted saltwater. We go to the fish store at least once a week. It's hilarious to hear them spout fish facts to family/guests.

JohnnyOcean

The characteristics/behaviors are general and serves as a basic guide. IMO each creature is unique and in my experience the peppermint shrimp was very shy and peaceful, always stayed within his little spot and only came out to eat.
Thats great your tank is coming. I know the feeling. The whole family is excited and everybody shares in the experience. In fact my both my grandkids are facinated with the tank. Both are under the age of 2 yet they sit still and watch the tank for a long time with me.

I am also looking to add some Ricordea to my tank. I'm looking for either blue or orange colors. I just recently added a baby hippo tang to the tank. I've been waiting for a long time to get one. Then while at a lfs my wife spots one. He's as big a the 3 stripe damsel we have (for now...)
Well good luck on your tank, I'm sure you'll post some pics when its all up and running.