Fishdad's Reef Setup

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#141
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#141
That's funny. Actually it was all my lfs carried. He claims they have always been the hardiest for him. I would like to get another in the future. This seems a little stressed... swimming near the top. Cross your fingers.

Good to know about coral acclimation. I'll remember that. Never thought about acclimating to the light.
 

Newman

Newman

Elite Fish
#142
Sep 22, 2009
4,668
0
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Northern NJ
#142
remember the other clown has to be from a tank at the LFS whith many clowns in it. because the one you have will prob become female and you will be buying a male which should work. once they are alone for a while they start to be come female and cannot go back after a certain point.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#143
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#143
To be honest I'm not really all that interested in breeding. Are their any health issues involved in only keeping one clown? Loneliness? My wife and I talked about getting a black and white Ocellaris. You think compatibility would be an issue?
 

Newman

Newman

Elite Fish
#144
Sep 22, 2009
4,668
0
0
Northern NJ
#144
no it's not for breeding. i never got to breed my clown pair. they are just more fun when they interact together :)

no issues with compatibility of a regular ocellaris and a black/white ocellaris. make sure the new clown is from a tank with many clowns in it so that you get the male (do not pick the largest one as that will be female more often than not). of course you get the same species, or they will not pair. and will get aggressive.

the whole reason why you need a male and female is that you do not wind up with two females or they will fight. two males is the goal so that one becomes female.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#148
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#148
Newman said:
no it's not for breeding. i never got to breed my clown pair. they are just more fun when they interact together :)

no issues with compatibility of a regular ocellaris and a black/white ocellaris. make sure the new clown is from a tank with many clowns in it so that you get the male (do not pick the largest one as that will be female more often than not). of course you get the same species, or they will not pair. and will get aggressive.

the whole reason why you need a male and female is that you do not wind up with two females or they will fight. two males is the goal so that one becomes female.
Click to expand...
The one I have now was one of the smallest ones in the group. I picked it because I thought he had the nicest color. Are you saying I should pick another small one?
 

Newman

Newman

Elite Fish
#149
Sep 22, 2009
4,668
0
0
Northern NJ
#149
yes pick another small one. don't make the same mistake i did either, properly inspect the clown they catch for you. don't get a deformed one. they happen. just make sure not to get some of the largest ones in the tank. medium-small ones are ok, but there must be plenty of them in the same tank.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#150
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#150
Added two more fish. A Coral beauty Angel and a Blue Sapphire Damsel. Also a cleaner shrimp as well. Drip acclimated and they seem to be very happy. I think I'm going to keep my stock at this level for a little while, except for a possible b&w clown if I can find one. Its nice to finally have fish in this thing.

My concern right now are nitrates until the reactor gets going.

018.jpg 021.jpg
 

Newman

Newman

Elite Fish
#151
Sep 22, 2009
4,668
0
0
Northern NJ
#151
the damsel is fine but the angel was likely more impulsive right? i would not put more sensitive fish like that into a brand new tank. usually you'd wait a few months before adding fish like tangs, angels, etc. you start with easy fish like clowns, pseudochromis, and damsels and build SLOWLY from there.
sounds like you jumped the gun with that one a bit. I hope it does fine for you though.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#152
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#152
No, I looked into them a bit. I wanted a bigger fish for the tank, but also one that wouldn't get too big over time. I read on live aquaria that they are the easiest of the dwarf angels to keep. Turns out my lfs had one left. They were actually more concerned about the clown fish's survival in a new tank, but both are eating and active. Stocking for the time is about done, next I want to focus on some coral.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#153
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#153
Starfish
starfish.jpg

That Coral Angel btw is probably the most active fish I have ever owned. It swims in circles all day from one end of the tank to the other. But always stops half way to graze the same piece of rock, every time with out fail. Somewhat neurotic.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#154
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#154
Wow... well the bio-pellet reactor is certainly working. Just a few days ago my nitrates were somewhere in the 40 to 80 area, its hard to tell exactly with the api kit. But I just tested (and re-tested) nitrates again and they're around 5ppm. Its only been a week with that thing. Truly impressed so far. Most forums said at least a few weeks.
 

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