Suggestions For Smallish Reef Tank Please!

The mental health organisation I'm involved with is moving into a lovely new space, I'm going to ask the building manager if we're allowed a fish tank.

If so I'll be setting up a small but not nano reef tank - maybe 60 to 100 litres or so. I'm thinking maybe a clown fish or a pair of them with a few anemones and a couple of other smallish colourful fish. I really like the weirder creatures, my tank at home has a pair of green spotted puffers, an algae blenny, a chalk goby, mushrooms and a toadstool, and macro algae. As this tank will be for our visitors and team to enjoy, engage with, and promote wellbeing I'm going for classic and more widely recognisable species like the clowns and anemones.

Any suggestions of hardy fish, anemones, and corals that are are good for beginners? I am really a noob myself to be honest although so far things are going well with my tank and I've learned quickly. There are also likely to be a couple of more responsible people in the cohort who'd like to get involved in set up and care so easier fish and corals will mean involvement is more accessible to them although I will always be keeping an eye on things. Also I want to ensure that anything going in will be comfortable in that sized tank.

I'm in most days and the office is 2 minutes from home so caring for the tank is not a problem, we are also an adult service thankfully so no children smacking the glass and upsetting the fish hahahaha!

Thank you!

 

The best bet for a tank that size that will be sat in an office type place would be the red sea nano. Its plug and play, when bought new basically its got everything, light, auto top off which will be paramount as you don’t want to have to mess with it daily in a place of work. Have you kept sw before ? Id do a lot of reading and start slow, just some rock and fish, couple of clowns maybe. Il attach a pic of my tank from a distance to show the size I have the red sea nano

 

The best bet for a tank that size that will be sat in an office type place would be the red sea nano. Its plug and play, when bought new basically its got everything, light, auto top off which will be paramount as you don’t want to have to mess with it daily in a place of work. Have you kept sw before ? Id do a lot of reading and start slow, just some rock and fish, couple of clowns maybe. Il attach a pic of my tank from a distance to show the size I have the red sea nano View attachment 560022

Thank you! Yes, although fairly new to it I have the tank I've described above. That's the sort of thing although I'd go a little bigger and not a fan of plug and play. On the one hand this is on a shoe string, going to be a case of second hand tank and equipment. On the other I like putting together custom based on what I'm planning to house in the tank. Open tops don't work at home as we have 6 cats and I wouldn't feel comfortable with an open top in the office as while most people we see are ok and considerate of animals we do see some very unwell people and people are sometimes very inebriated when they arrive. I'd worry about accidental addition of random substances, building a fully sealed and probably lockable lid lol.

 

True, but Red Sea are ridiculously expensive. They are pretty inclusive but you still end up paying for stuff you don't need. Not sure if the IM Nuvo Fusions are available in your area but they are a good value (you will need to add lighting and a stand). The other option is a bit smaller at 57 liters but the Fluval Evo VIII is available in the UK and it is all inclusive. It is really only suited for a pair of clownfish (Ocellaris or Percula variety) and maybe some inverts or possibly another really small fish:

 

Here is the Red Sea Nano kit's price in the UK:

 

Very true, I don't like kits and can't afford them anyway. I've got a 100 litre marine cube coming from a friend and will go from there

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fluval-Marine-Aquaium-Reef-Lights/dp/B01M2WI6PT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BK1PYUF1B0U2&keywords=fluval+evo+13.5&qid=1558885236&s=gateway&sprefix=Fluval+Evo+,aps,275&sr=8-1[/QUOTE]

 

Thank you! Yes, although fairly new to it I have the tank I've described above. That's the sort of thing although I'd go a little bigger and not a fan of plug and play. On the one hand this is on a shoe string, going to be a case of second hand tank and equipment. On the other I like putting together custom based on what I'm planning to house in the tank. Open tops don't work at home as we have 6 cats and I wouldn't feel comfortable with an open top in the office as while most people we see are ok and considerate of animals we do see some very unwell people and people are sometimes very inebriated when they arrive. I'd worry about accidental addition of random substances, building a fully sealed and probably lockable lid lol.

On the shoe string bit id advise you check shpock daily as I got my red sea nano for £150 off of there ! I think the fluval tank jester mentions could be a good option too as it has a lid. If your on a budget how about a regular old guppy tank ? The movement of my colorful guppies is so soothing, could be idea for you ?

 

It's a good shout but I really prefer marine. I have a freshwater tank that was re-homed with me along with the fish living in it. It had been neglected and the previous owners power washed the filter before giving it to me so it was a **** of a learning curve for my first tank inheriting these issues. Didn't lose any fish and all good now but so far I've found marine easier and more enjoyable, I don't think I'd set up freshwater. My 35 gallon marine tank is doing well (so far, lol I'm sure there will be some kind of problem eventually) and cost me under £100 to set up and for all it's needed over the 3 months since starting it. the organisation doesn't have a budget for this so a friend and I are doing it between us. 100 litre tank and the same live rock that got my tank going so well are being donated and a friend at the LFS is trying to get them to sponsor with either equipment or some livestock. We'll do the rest out of our pockets as we are avid fishkeepers and as we want the visitors and team to have this to enjoy

 

It doesn't have an ATO system, but for simplicity and cost the Fluval Evo 13.5 with a couple of clowns might be the way to go. If they are the only fish in the tank there will be no compatibility issues.