ATKINSON

I am going to start a reef tank soon and want your opinions on the stocking.

Fish: 2 yellow tail damsels, 1 small clown( perula) , 1 bicolour angel. Any other suggestions

Invertabrates: 1 cleaner shrimp, 4 hermit crabs, 3 turbo snails( are they reef safe?)

Corals.etc. No idea, I want some easier corals, mushrooms.etc to keep alive as I am a newbie to reef. Maybe a frogspawn coral( sp?) How many of each? How many kgs of live rock should I get? Thanks alot.

ATKINSON

Anyone??

ATP

Hi,

What size of a tank? All so what kind of lights, filtration?

sgould

In terms of compatability with tankmates, your list is probably fine. I say probably because damsels as a group have a reputation for aggressiveness and are often recommended for species only tanks. However, yellow tails don't seem to be as bad as some of the others and can be ok in a community tank. I would recommend adding them last, nevertheless.

That said, as ATP asks...what size tank are you starting up? For your list, you should be looking at a 30 gallon or more, IMO.

ATKINSON

Sorry everyone it is a 30gal with refigium with 2 power heads, 1 for refugium and 1 for sponge filter. Lighting, not sure yet, suggestions? sgould: I as planning on using a damsel as a first fish because they are hardier and I am new. What fish would you reccomend as a first fish then? Thanks

On a seperate note, would a 20gal FOWLR be fine for 2 yellow tail damsels and either a clown fish or a royal gramma Also it has 2 turbo snails and a hermit crab.

ATP

As a first fish, what I usually do is make sure the water parameters is good and I just get a cheap perc. clown. Some times maybe a fire fish.

ATKINSON

Thanks alot, but in South Africa, clowns and even fire fish cost more than damsels.But I will look around for a cheaper shop

ATP

Clowns are more expensive so that's why I check my parameters until they're perfect, than get a clown. In my area, damsels are 10 bucks (blue) and percs are 20 bucks. If it's just for the nitrogen cycle I would get a damsel and then give it away if you don't want it.

ATKINSON

Thanks for the info.

tkurys

I've just started a 20 gal and have 2 true percs, 1 blue damsel, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, 2 turbo snails (these guys are great... just feed them and watch them come out of the sand!) and a sand sifting starfish (which I'm going to move to a 55 gal in a week)
All are doing very well. The damsel is quite territorrial but doesn't bother the clowns. Hates the snails climbing his space though. (the males have a black spot on the dorsal fin). Don't know if that helps, but I'm thinking my 20 gal is full enough for now. I'm using a Remora C Pro skimmer that really helps keep the tank clean. No nitrate or ammonia levels at all. Tanks was 2 months old with just LR when I started it. 79F and HO lighting too.

ATKINSON

Thanks, I just went out and got a clown fish and a cleaner shrimp, I also got a fire goby a while ago. Will post pics soon.

ATKINSON

Since I am starting a reef and it is recommended to use RO water, I am going to embarress myself alot with my stupid question. When doing water changes should I add plain RO water or saltwater and RO water mix? I am getting abit confused as to whether the salt will stay in the tank during water changes. Also what is the ideal salinity for a reef setup for corals,etc?

tkurys

When I do my changes I always mix before I add water back to the tank. I also use RO water. Read the directions but usually 1/2 cup to a gallon will give you close to the proper mix. I keep mine between 1.023 and 1.025. I like the lower side as temperature makes a bit of a difference on the salinity. The higher the temp, the more the salinity. So for example, if you have 60F water and your salinity reads 1.020 by increasing the temperature you will have a rise in salinity. Take this for what its worth. I am pretty new at this hobby!