Starting A 20g Saltwater Tank...

I’m starting my first salt water tank and this is my plan so far:
20 gallon long
Using bio spira to cycle
Adding live rock and sand in at first (maybe corals later)
Stock list:
2 clownfish
1 purple goby
1 fire fish
1 yellow watchman goby
Peppermint or fire shrimp
Snails
IF anyone has some suggestions on what to add on my stock list or any tips for me please let me know !

 

stella1979

 

By Purple Goby, I assume you mean Purple Firefish, in which case there may be a problem between the Purple and the regular Firefish. I would pick one or the other. Add the clownfish last as they are the most aggressive/territorial of the fish on your list. The Peppermint Shrimp is good for small aiptasia removal but may take a liking to the taste of certain types of corals later down the road.

 

Agreed that you will have trouble with two Firefish, so I'd also suggest picking one or the other. Other than that, the stocking looks good. Definitely add the clowns last so more timid fish will have time to establish themselves and find a safe space before aggressors are added.

If you plan on having soft corals, I would stay away from the peppermint shrimp. Many are model citizens, but you just never know, so I do not keep them. The Blood Red Cleaner shrimp is a much safer choice.

You are pretty well stocked with 4 fish in a 20g, so the only thing I would add to it is a clean up crew. For algae eating snails, I prefer trochus. They are hard little workers and are able to right themselves if they fall upside down. Some species cannot right themselves and this means that you'll have to reach in and turn them over before they become victims of predation or starve.

Speaking of victims... if you get hermit crabs be sure to put spare shells in the tank for them to use as they grow. This may lessen the chances of them killing a snail for it's shell.

 

I agree that the cleaner shrimp will be more useful and will be less bothersome to your tank inhabitants.

 

just keep in mind.
skunk cleaner shrimps are very aggressive feeders and cleaners.
They do steal food from corals as you feed and step all over your corals as well. If that's something that might agitate you over time you might want to pass on a skunk cleaner shrimp. I had one back when I had a 25 gallon tank, but re-homed it simply because it was annoying try to spot feed my corals only for the shrimp to steal it. Some have a pretty big appetite and will continue stealing food even when given their own piece of meat. now that I have a 60 gallon tank I got 2 skunk cleaner shrimps. and it's a lot more manageable because of the bigger space.

 

I have seen my cleaner shrimp occasionally climb on my Euphyllia but it usually doesn't stay long and moves on. So I don't worry about it too much. Mine seemed to do well in my 36 gallon bowfront and does very well in my 90 gallon. I have never had more than one.

 

Put corals in 2-3 months after your cycle. If you don’t they will die!!!!

 

Put corals in 2-3 months after your cycle. If you don’t they will die!!!!

Depends on the coral.

 

Put corals in 2-3 months after your cycle. If you don’t they will die!!!!

Not trying to be rude... I've seen some posts of yours and feel that you're being a little cut and dried with your advice. I put corals in my tank within thirty days of it being cycled and they did not die. It really does depend on the coral and each tank is different.

 

Put corals in 2-3 months after your cycle. If you don’t they will die!!!!

Not trying to be rude... I've seen some posts of yours and feel that you're being a little cut and dried with your advice. I put corals in my tank within thirty days of it being cycled and they did not die. It really does depend on the coral and each tank is different.

I started loading my new tank with bubble tip anemones the next day after I added my cycled bio-media lol.
Also depends on the experience level of the reefer.

 

Not trying to be rude... I've seen some posts of yours and feel that you're being a little cut and dried with your advice. I put corals in my tank within thirty days of it being cycled and they did not die. It really does depend on the coral and each tank is different.

Cut and Dried is a nice way of putting it. Blunt to a fault would be the way I would phrase it.