beginner recommendations

[bobboman]

I recently set up a 24 gallon aquapod nano. it has been running for 6 weeks now. After this first 2 weeks the cycle appeared to have completed, so i added a 5 Margrita Snails and 2 Hermit Crabs. one week later i added a Royal Gramma, and a Firefish. then after another week i added a Six Line Wrasse. Then at week 5 i added some red with blue spots mushroom coral and a Cleaner shrimp. Water conditions appear to be good.
My question is what type of Coral and anemone do you guys recommend for beginners. Also, i want to get a sea anemone and and 1 clown fish.
-thanks

[Phurst]

Do you have the stock power compact lights on the aquapod? If so, I'm affaid they will not provide enough light for an anemone long term. I think I'd hesitate to add anymore fish to the tank either as it's pretty heavily stocked, especialy for a pretty new tank.

Lighting is fine for most things besides high light LPS, SPS and clams. That means you could do musshrooms, zoas, palys, most leathers, xenia, colt, kenya tree, GSP, and higher in the tank you could probably do torch, frogspawn, hammer and several other LPS corals.

[lReef lKeeper]

i agree with Phurst, with the stock lighting you are going to be pretty limited on what you can keep. an anemone is not one of the things that you can keep long term. sorry.

[Amphibious]

^^^I concur with what they are telling you.^^^

Dick

[bobboman]

thanks for the comments. after i posted this, i went to my lfs and bought a long tenticaled anemone. the owner of the fish store said most anemones wont survive because i don't have strong enough lights in my tank, but he said the type i bought should do just fine because it doesn't have that high of light requirement.

[Phurst]

I'm affraid you have been misled. While LTA certainly don't have the highest lighting requirements amongst anemones, it's not the least either IMO. I'd say BTAs probably do, but I don't think you'd be able to keep one of those either. Unfortunately, it's very likely your LTA will slowly decline and eventualy perrish

[lReef lKeeper]

i agree again, i would try to return it to the LFS.

i guess this would be a good time to let you in on a little secret ...

MOST LFSs are the WORST place to get good info. it is a sad fact, but also a true one. unfortunately, they are in the business of making money and MOST of them are out to ONLY do that. as long as you leave with something ... their job is done.

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by bobboman

thanks for the comments. after i posted this, i went to my lfs and bought a long tenticaled anemone. the owner of the fish store said most anemones wont survive because i don't have strong enough lights in my tank, but he said the type i bought should do just fine because it doesn't have that high of light requirement.

Bobby,

It's been said, right here on TR, that when Amphibious responds to your questions you may not like what he says, but what he says is usually right on target. Well, I'm Amphibious and I tell it like it is. No sugar coating.

You joined TR to learn. That's good. You posted questions. That's good. What you didn't do is wait for us to respond. That's not good. Your LFS, more times than not, is the worst place to get good, accurate information. You will hear that time and time again. It's true. This is a very expensive hobby. We will do everything in our power to keep your expenses down. You have to do your part by asking questions about every decision you are about to make and having the patience to wait for an answer.

It's been said 10,000 times or more. The only thing that happens fast in a marine aquarium is disaster. Here's a couple of quotes from your first post:

After this first 2 weeks the cycle appeared to have completed, so i added a 5 Margrita Snails and 2 Hermit Crabs.

What test kits did you use to determine the cycle was over? What are your water parameters?

In 40 years of specializing in marine aquariums I have never had any size tank cycle complete in two weeks. It's more likely that you are headed for a cycle event in the near future.

one week later i added a Royal Gramma, and a Firefish. then after another week i added a Six Line Wrasse. Then at week 5 i added some red with blue spots mushroom coral and a Cleaner shrimp.

Now, in 5 weeks, you have a 24 gal tank whose total volume is more likely 20 gals you have at least 12 critters in this tiny aquarium and today you add an anemone. The anemone adds a huge bio load to this tiny aquarium and requires bright light, clean water and perfect water parameters to survive.

I have to agree with lReef lKeeper and Phurst, take the anemone back. If the LFS gives you any trouble tell him to join here and learn the hobby the right way. We have no hidden agenda, Bobby! We want you to succeed.

lReef lKeeper, beat me to the punch on LFSs being the worst place to get information. I whole heartedly agree.

[CarmieJo]

You could however consider a euphyllia. They look anemone like and will be fine with the PC lights that come with the tank. Plus clowns are about as likely to host a euphyllia as an anemone. I also agree that you are probably stocked out with your tank. Until a recent disaster I had only a pair of Ocellaris clowns, clean up crew and some low light corals in my NC24.

Now it is fishless as I decide which way to go. I believe that 2 or 3 small fish are the maximum you should have in a tank this small. I only have 4 (maroon clown, firefish, sixline and Atlantic pygmy angel) in my 54.

[veriann]

arrr yes, but you gota admit, ignorance is bliss when your starting out. I remember forking out insurmountable amounts of money & thinking this is great, look whats happening in this glass box! I look back now & just thinking about it gets me Pissed that i was taken for a ride due to lack of knowledge!



No wonder i burnt the place to the ground...opps, i didn't just say that did I !



B-man, welcome to the club, pull up a chair bud & so you can take some of this good info onboard!

[bobboman]

Thanks for all the help. Next time i will be more patient and wait for a response before i go off and buy something new. today i am going to try and return the anemone. i do not think it'll be a problem.

I used a Reef Master test kit to get these results.

Currently my water is 78 degrees
Sailinity: 1.022
PH: 8.1
Ammonia : 0ppm
Phosphate: 0
Nitrite: 0
KH: 12 dkh
Calcium: 460ppm

[Phurst]

Glad to hear it shouldn't be a problem to return him. Based on your other thread i just saw, looks like you may be able to go back and get another in a few months.

Levels look fine, except you may want to raise your SG a hair to around 1.025

[lReef lKeeper]

i also just read your other post again. it gets kind of hard to keep up so i had to refresh my memory after Phurst's last post. when you upgrade the lighting and the tank has matured ... have at it !! i would suggest a 70w or 150w fixture like Pearson had.

[KAN]

Ya I have to agree with the others slow down take your time. Wow I don't think I'll ever get my tank done. But I'm taking my time. My tank has been up for around 2 months now and I just started anther cycle. By adding some more rock to the tank and moving everything around in the tank. Just like everyone told me to do. So if you don't know, not sure, or just want to play it safe just ask. And If you want to know like now send some one a PM most members will get back to you ASAP. O and one more thing just have fun doing it.

[veriann]

so no-one thought my chuck subtle banana pic was funny...hmmmm, maybe V's humor is also south of the equater!




Now if you'll excuse me, im going to fall asleep whilst filling up the bath tub!