Thinking About Setting Up My First Saltwater

Not a problem. Unfortunately due to the lack of options for freshwater testing and the relatively undemanding (by comparison) requirements for water quality, people get in the habit of using API and assume it's a quality kit. The reality is that it's essentially a "Walmart quality" (aka Cheap and Mass produced) type kit. I am a bit of an odd duck in that I started with saltwater and I got used to a Red Sea kit from the get go. It wasn't until a year later that I dabbled with Freshwater and tried out an API Kit (which is pretty much the same kit for saltwater and freshwater) and I instantly hated it. Among my list of complaints when comparing the two:

1) API can give false positives for Ammonia. It's really nice to know that you can't tell whether or not you have something lethal in your tank
2) Narrow vials and cheap leaky caps that don't seal properly (this is a common complaint from reviewers). I got really spoiled with Red Sea, they have short and wide vials with screw top lids that can be sealed tightly for zero leaks. The shorter and wider vials of the Red Sea kit are also much easier to rinse/clean out properly after each use
3) Nitrate Test is basically worthless (can't tell the difference between 10-20 and 40 and 80). Most reefers would agree that 10ppm is okay and 20ppm means you are due for a water change. What good is a test where you can't really tell the difference between the two?
4) An easy fix but it still bugs me that there is no syringe for a test sample. I guess API thinks it's no big deal for you to dip your vials in the tank for a test sample (never mind the fact the potential nasty residue that is on them that can leach into your tank)
5) API has an all in one non-water proof color chart with the kit (which given the leaky caps problem) is an issue. Red Sea has individual water proof test color cards, so if you do get any water, solution on them you can simply wipe off and dry and you don't have a destroyed color test chart.

I did a review of mine here:

 

Just a bit of an update! I managed to get hold of that test kit and was overjoyed when I found the cycle finished 2 days ago, went to the LFS yesterday to pick up my first little bit of stocking and mulled over things for quite a while.
Decided I might just go for the one fish in the tank and have corals and a cuc so I found this beautiful little royal dottyback (yes, I know they can be aggressive)
and these two wonderful little coral frags (they were labelled in the lfs as xenia and discosoma? I asked the guy in there for something easy and hardy)

The dottyback has already eaten this morning, is pretty active and found a nice little cave to call home, I did see some aiptasia on the xenia frag; but plan on removing them with aiptasia x? (any thoughts on this) which I can get when I go back to the LFS next week!

If anyone has any good suggestions for any more corals I could add that would be great!
I kind of have my eyes on some blasto and a few more discosoma
I want to avoid zoas for a while (partially because of the paly-toxin scare I know, silly but I'd rather be safe) and partially due to the fact I know they can grow very fast and overpower some rocks?

 

I think we need to clarify some things. 1) Xenia grows like a weed and is considered by many to be a borderline invasive coral (far worse than Zoanthids). It will easily spread and overrun other corals. IMHO the only real reason to avoid Zoanthids is that they can be finicky (some grow like weeds and some you can't keep alive to save your live). 2) The dottback isn't just aggressive, it will harass and kill fish 2-3 times it's size and putting it in the tank first gives you a really high chance that it won't let you add another fish to that tank. I strongly recommend removing it and replacing it with a Royal Gramma Basslet. Very similar color, but a much better tank mate:



3) As for Aiptasia, if there are just a few and they are really small, then Aiptasia X is effective. It's when you let them grow out and spread that it becomes a problem. Above all don't do manual removal or it will simply spread like wildfire.

 

I think we need to clarify some things. 1) Xenia grows like a weed and is considered by many to be a borderline invasive coral (far worse than Zoanthids). It will easily spread and overrun other corals. IMHO the only real reason to avoid Zoanthids is that they can be finicky (some grow like weeds and some you can't keep alive to save your live). 2) The dottback isn't just aggressive, it will harass and kill fish 2-3 times it's size and putting it in the tank first gives you a really high chance that it won't let you add another fish to that tank. I strongly recommend removing it and replacing it with a Royal Gramma Basslet. Very similar color, but a much better tank mate:



3) As for Aiptasia, if there are just a few and they are really small, then Aiptasia X is effective. It's when you let them grow out and spread that it becomes a problem. Above all don't do manual removal or it will simply spread like wildfire.

I've isolated the xenia and know it is considered invasive, and I am prepared to remove and cut it back regularly.
I don't plan on adding other fish to the tank, after I spent a good while in the store thinking about it, most of what will be in the tank is just corals and the one fish; figured more than one would look too crowded.

I will have to get some aiptasia x when I go to the LFS then, I only see four small ones on the bottom of the xenia rubble so hopefully it will take care of those, thanks!

In your opinion would you say blasto are a relatively easy coral to keep?

 

I have no experience with blastos. I'm actually a Euphyllia guy and these two stalwarts have been near bulletproof for me (Forgspawn and Branching Hammer Coral):

I've isolated the xenia and know it is considered invasive, and I am prepared to remove and cut it back regularly.
I don't plan on adding other fish to the tank, after I spent a good while in the store thinking about it, most of what will be in the tank is just corals and the one fish; figured more than one would look too crowded.

I will have to get some aiptasia x when I go to the LFS then, I only see four small ones on the bottom of the xenia rubble so hopefully it will take care of those, thanks!

In your opinion would you say blasto are a relatively easy coral to keep?

If the Dottyback is the only fish in your tank then you will be fine, although IMHO it's kind of a waste of space for a 20 gallon long for fish.

 

If the Dottyback is the only fish in your tank then you will be fine, although IMHO it's kind of a waste of space for a 20 gallon long for fish.

I've always been a bit minimalist when it comes to stocking tbf

as far as CUC goes, Cerith and nassarius snails are a good shout?

Will frogspawn and branching hammer grow in my tank with the stock lighting?
there is a pretty strong flow along one side and a fairly moderate - low flow so that goes around rather well
Lighting is the only thing I know limits me right now, which I will upgrade eventually but for now I am stuck with the stock (most I know about the stock is it is a 16w unit that is 14,000 K)

 

I had blastos before, but never more than a month because they all died... I'm with Jesterrace on the frogspawn, and I think it would do fine with your stock lighting. Another one that is cool and easy to grow is neon candy cane/trumpet coral. Do keep an eye on the xenia. It may stay on that rock for a while, but when it grows (and it will grow) it can send off little floaters and suddenly you'll have colonies popping up everywhere. Here's my experience...this is two years' growth from a little skrimmel like you've got there:

For comparison, this was a 75 gallon tank with a Current Orbit Marine LED (not the Pro model) and I had no trouble with any soft or LPS coral.
...man I miss that tank...so dumb to take it down...
See how your discosoma does for a bit - if it does well, there are lots of varieties of mushrooms you can add.

 

I had blastos before, but never more than a month because they all died... I'm with Jesterrace on the frogspawn, and I think it would do fine with your stock lighting. Another one that is cool and easy to grow is neon candy cane/trumpet coral. Do keep an eye on the xenia. It may stay on that rock for a while, but when it grows (and it will grow) it can send off little floaters and suddenly you'll have colonies popping up everywhere. Here's my experience...this is two years' growth from a little skrimmel like you've got there:

For comparison, this was a 75 gallon tank with a Current Orbit Marine LED (not the Pro model) and I had no trouble with any soft or LPS coral.
...man I miss that tank...so dumb to take it down...
See how your discosoma does for a bit - if it does well, there are lots of varieties of mushrooms you can add.

I was looking at a few videos on the frogspawn and many say if I keep it in a high-flow it shouldn't extend too much?

And I saw the trumpets and was rather interested in them! I will see if I can find some frags of that too, I plan to keep a good eye on the xenia, luckily the tank is on my computer desk so it gets many hours of observation a day haha! As far as trumpets/candy canes go are they better at higher or lower elevation? I have a good outcrop I want to add more discosoma to, but have a lot of space mid-low which I would like to fill space.

 

I've always been a bit minimalist when it comes to stocking tbf

as far as CUC goes, Cerith and nassarius snails are a good shout?

As far as the cleanup crew goes if you have a sandbed, I would definitely go with a conch snail (ie fighting conch, tiger) as a single one will but a handful of nassarius snails to shame and they are far more active and interesting to watch. Trochus are probably the best all around cleaning snail and they can flip themselves over (most of the others have difficulty with that so you have to manually flip them over). I have 5 fighting conches in my 90 gallon tank and they do a pretty good job. Here they are in action and at the 4 to 4:30 minute mark you can see how they earn their name "Fighting Conch"

 

I was looking at a few videos on the frogspawn and many say if I keep it in a high-flow it shouldn't extend too much?

And I saw the trumpets and was rather interested in them! I will see if I can find some frags of that too, I plan to keep a good eye on the xenia, luckily the tank is on my computer desk so it gets many hours of observation a day haha! As far as trumpets/candy canes go are they better at higher or lower elevation? I have a good outcrop I want to add more discosoma to, but have a lot of space mid-low which I would like to fill space.

Yes all the euphylia (frogspawn and torch coral and some other common names) have delicate membranes, where if they get blown around too much can tear against their skeletons. A nice painted frogspawn or a hammer might be a nice piece to fill that bottom space, if that is a lower flow area. Just give it plenty of breathing room so it doesn't sting its neighbors.

 

As far as the cleanup crew goes if you have a sandbed, I would definitely go with a conch snail (ie fighting conch, tiger) as a single one will but a handful of nassarius snails to shame and they are far more active and interesting to watch. Trochus are probably the best all around cleaning snail and they can flip themselves over (most of the others have difficulty with that so you have to manually flip them over). I have 5 fighting conches in my 90 gallon tank and they do a pretty good job. Here they are in action and at the 4 to 4:30 minute mark you can see how they earn their name "Fighting Conch"

I like the conch's!
The trochus seems a good choice too tbh, they look pretty cool as well!
Thank you dude!

Yes all the euphylia (frogspawn and torch coral and some other common names) have delicate membranes, where if they get blown around too much can tear against their skeletons. A nice painted frogspawn or a hammer might be a nice piece to fill that bottom space, if that is a lower flow area. Just give it plenty of breathing room so it doesn't sting its neighbors.

I have a pretty good spot I think! I will keep an eye out for one!
As far as the candy cane / trumpets go, are they good in most flow ranges?

 

I like the conch's!
The trochus seems a good choice too tbh, they look pretty cool as well!
Thank you dude!



I have a pretty good spot I think! I will keep an eye out for one!
As far as the candy cane / trumpets go, are they good in most flow ranges?

I believe so...I think flow just affects their growth pattern, but most LPS doesn't like/want to be living in a wind tunnel

 

I believe so...I think flow just affects their growth pattern, but most LPS doesn't like/want to be living in a wind tunnel

Hopefully the spots I've got will be suitable :')
(Red being high flow, orange being medium from what I've felt and seen when feeding etc)

 

By the way for a 13.5 you definitely only want one conch snail. It will be plenty. The other thing I love about conches is that they are super hardy (lasted far longer than any other snail I have tried) and they give snail munching fish the fits. They are the only snail my Melanurus Wrasse has just flat out given up on because they are super adept at avoiding predators (ie retracting into a weird shaped shell that is difficult to flip, burying in the sand when they really need to get away) they are also amazingly agile and fun to watch if they need to flip themselves over (they do self-right as well).

 

By the way for a 13.5 you definitely only want one conch snail. It will be plenty. The other thing I love about conches is that they are super hardy (lasted far longer than any other snail I have tried) and they give snail munching fish the fits. They are the only snail my Melanurus Wrasse has just flat out given up on because they are super adept at avoiding predators (ie retracting into a weird shaped shell that is difficult to flip, burying in the sand when they really need to get away) they are also amazingly agile and fun to watch if they need to flip themselves over (they do self-right as well).

I was gonna say at the size they get I wouldn't want more than one haha
I do really like them tbh! they are a nice looking and really rather interesting shape too! I will see if my LFS does them, the range they have for a lot of marine stuff is rather small but it's the easiest place I can get to without a good few hour drive.
I have quite a deep sandbed so that should be good

 

The conches for this variety only get about 4 inches max, but that is pretty decent sized for a small tank like a 13.5.

 

The conches for this variety only get about 4 inches max, but that is pretty decent sized for a small tank like a 13.5.

Yeah, should be a good eye-pleaser too at that size!
Would it give me any trouble with any of my frags? like going over the corals etc or does it usually stay exclusively on the sandbed?

 

It will climb into the rockwork but I have never seen on of mine bother my corals, they usually go around them. None of my corals appear adversely affected by them either.

 

It will climb into the rockwork but I have never seen on of mine bother my corals, they usually go around them. None of my corals appear adversely affected by them either.

awesome!
Now I just hope the LFS stocks them ha!
If not I will go with the trochus and make the trip out to the other store for a conch

 

Sounds like a plan.

 

Hopefully the spots I've got will be suitable :')
(Red being high flow, orange being medium from what I've felt and seen when feeding etc)
View attachment 527946

If your xenia isn't getting blasted, a euphylia would be fine in the same flow.

 

If your xenia isn't getting blasted, a euphylia would be fine in the same flow.

awesome!

Sadly I could not find a euphylia at the LFS (their stock is really limited) so I will have to either risk ordering online or do the few hour drive to the other store.
I did manage to find some really nice mushroom corals though!

 

awesome!

Sadly I could not find a euphylia at the LFS (their stock is really limited) so I will have to either risk ordering online or do the few hour drive to the other store.
I did manage to find some really nice mushroom corals though!

check craigslist!! the hobbyist market can be a great resource! There might be a local saltwater club you could join up as well. Good luck! Your tank is beautiful!

 

check craigslist!! the hobbyist market can be a great resource! There might be a local saltwater club you could join up as well. Good luck! Your tank is beautiful!

Thank you!

I did find a pretty good coral dealer based in the UK which I have been looking at, it's just some of the prices are so high (which is understandable when I look at some of these corals)
btw do you think I should move my discosoma a bit lower in the tank??

 

Thank you!

I did find a pretty good coral dealer based in the UK which I have been looking at, it's just some of the prices are so high (which is understandable when I look at some of these corals)
btw do you think I should move my discosoma a bit lower in the tank??
View attachment 528161

Haha! I didn't pay attention that you were in the UK - whoops! I guess craigslist isn't a thing you have, right?
Your mushroom looks pretty happy to me. And if he's not, he will move on his own. Not sure how long you've had him, but they will often take a little walk within a couple weeks of going in your tank. He'll leave a little piece of his foot behind, and then you will have TWO mushrooms. I personally think they are hugely underrated coral. They aren't as flashy as some, but I find it very interesting to watch this thing with no brain decide to reproduce. I had one that walked all the way across a rock, so I wound up with a row of clones!
EDIT! I didn't even see the one at the top where you circled. I only saw the green one at the bottom... Yes you might want to move him down. They prefer to be in dimmer light. That spot at the top would be great for some candy canes or duncans.

 

Haha! I didn't pay attention that you were in the UK - whoops! I guess craigslist isn't a thing you have, right?
Your mushroom looks pretty happy to me. And if he's not, he will move on his own. Not sure how long you've had him, but they will often take a little walk within a couple weeks of going in your tank. He'll leave a little piece of his foot behind, and then you will have TWO mushrooms. I personally think they are hugely underrated coral. They aren't as flashy as some, but I find it very interesting to watch this thing with no brain decide to reproduce. I had one that walked all the way across a rock, so I wound up with a row of clones!
EDIT! I didn't even see the one at the top where you circled. I only saw the green one at the bottom... Yes you might want to move him down. They prefer to be in dimmer light. That spot at the top would be great for some candy canes or duncans.

we do have craigslist!

And ah! I have had him for only a few days now so he might just be settling still??

I fell in love with the mushroom corals at first sight, something about them is just so pretty to me; I will move the one at the top! The ones at the bottom I added this morning, saw the ricordea (I think it was) and fell in love with the green, the other two are pretty closed up and the guy at the LFS just said they were "mushroom corals" but idk which exactly? I will post a pic you might know!
Definitely going to use that top spot for candycanes then and I'll drop the little discosoma to a lower ledge

 

Mushrooms come in every color and texture and I don't think a lot of them have specific names other than describing their colors. The great thing is they are practically indestructible, except the ricordea lol they are destructible but I think the green ones are a little tougher. If there is one viable cell left it will grow into a new one given time. If you've only had them a day or so, I would just leave them where they are now and see how they look in a couple of days. They will most likely take a walk and drop a baby...that's just what they do!

 

Mushrooms come in every color and texture and I don't think a lot of them have specific names other than describing their colors. The great thing is they are practically indestructible, except the ricordea lol they are destructible but I think the green ones are a little tougher. If there is one viable cell left it will grow into a new one given time. If you've only had them a day or so, I would just leave them where they are now and see how they look in a couple of days. They will most likely take a walk and drop a baby...that's just what they do!

It's just so amazing how coral acts, even just watching the xenia pulsing in the flow of the water mesmerizes me for hours! I just hope they do well in my tank, I am testing the water regularly and finding the levels are doing well
Do I need to spot feed the ricordea btw?

 

It's just so amazing how coral acts, even just watching the xenia pulsing in the flow of the water mesmerizes me for hours! I just hope they do well in my tank, I am testing the water regularly and finding the levels are doing well
Do I need to spot feed the ricordea btw?

I am not 100% sure on the ricordea, as I have heard different things from different people. I only ever fed my coral directly for my own entertainment. It is cool to watch the rics and the frilly mushrooms "purse" around the food, and candy canes will put out these feeder tentacles and then balloon up. I always broadcast fed the tank with Reef Frenzy and I'm assuming the filter feeders got what they needed form the water column. Your mushrooms look like they might still be a little **** off from their transition so I wouldn't feed them yet at any rate.

 

I am not 100% sure on the ricordea, as I have heard different things from different people. I only ever fed my coral directly for my own entertainment. It is cool to watch the rics and the frilly mushrooms "purse" around the food, and candy canes will put out these feeder tentacles and then balloon up. I always broadcast fed the tank with Reef Frenzy and I'm assuming the filter feeders got what they needed form the water column. Your mushrooms look like they might still be a little off from their transition so I wouldn't feed them yet at any rate.

Gotcha!

I will probably pick up something like reef frenzy eventually but I will let the corals settle for a while first!

Thank you so much for the help!

 

You don't need to feed any corals except for NPS... which you won't be keeping yet anyways. That's corals like gorgonians and dendros. Usually kept by more experienced hobbyists with mature tanks.

I skimmed your thread but didn't catch anything about a coral food like Reef Roids. Something like that will make your corals go crazy. I would suggest, especially in nanos with very few fish (or none, don't thinkyou have one yet), spot feed your corals and fish. Just let it defrost, then suck it up with a turkey baster, turn off the flow, give a little squirt for the fish and then put a few pieces of food on each coral.

 

You don't need to feed any corals except for NPS... which you won't be keeping yet anyways. That's corals like gorgonians and dendros. Usually kept by more experienced hobbyists with mature tanks.

I skimmed your thread but didn't catch anything about a coral food like Reef Roids. Something like that will make your corals go crazy. I would suggest, especially in nanos with very few fish (or none, don't thinkyou have one yet), spot feed your corals and fish. Just let it defrost, then suck it up with a turkey baster, turn off the flow, give a little squirt for the fish and then put a few pieces of food on each coral.

Oh nice!
I will definitely keep that in mind then And yeah, I plan to stick to easy corals regardless.
I do have a fish in there, he is the only one and is staying on his own (Royal Dottyback)
I will need to get a turkey baster when it comes to it then :') Thank you!

 

Oh nice!
I will definitely keep that in mind then And yeah, I plan to stick to easy corals regardless.
I do have a fish in there, he is the only one and is staying on his own (Royal Dottyback)
I will need to get a turkey baster when it comes to it then :') Thank you!

Turkey basters are fantastic tools in general. From feeding, to blowing off your rockwork and stirring your sand, and a myriad of other uses. You can pick one up for a few bucks. I'd highly suggest it. Especially in newer tanks keeping your sandbed stirred and your rocks blown off keeps nutrients under control a lot better.

 

Turkey basters are fantastic tools in general. From feeding, to blowing off your rockwork and stirring your sand, and a myriad of other uses. You can pick one up for a few bucks. I'd highly suggest it. Especially in newer tanks keeping your sandbed stirred and your rocks blown off keeps nutrients under control a lot better.

I do have a tonne of these pipettes (5ml plastic disposable pipettes) would they suffice also??

 

Yup, just to add here are my four favorite cheap tools of the hobby:

 

Yup, just to add here are my four favorite cheap tools of the hobby:

Toothbrushes, the greatest of tools! :')
And you have reminded me! I need a new scraper

 

Also if anyone of you knows what coral this is, I would very much appreciate it!

 

Looks like a soft leather mushroom coral of some kind to me.

 

Looks like a soft leather mushroom coral of some kind to me.

It's baffling me as I cannot find any kind of online

 

While inspecting my corals after having done a water change (and aiptasia X'd the heck out of some annoying aiptasia I found) I found this little thing on one of my frags, the camera quality is bad I know, but you can just make out the outline; it has what looks like little feathers and a tube like body. Any idea what it could possibly be, and if it is a bad thing??
It is literally so small I have to go right up to the glass and really look hard (almost hurts my eyes to do so lol) to get a decent look.