Can there be too many stones?

[siniang]

Hi,

I'm wondering about the arrangement of my going-to-be-fish-only tank and whether one can have too many stones (that's what a friend once told me). There won't be too many fish in there (one small trigger, probably a lawmower blenny or watchman, two small damsels), but at least two of them like hiding places. I generally like more spread-out designs and also thought that maybe this way I can spread territories, but I'm wondering if I should stack more rocks and create more caves this way? Should I try to get at least one live rock (which will be tricky here)?

Please don't judge for the artificial decor. Since I'm not going for a coral-tank, I wanted to have at least some color for the looks

 

[savetheocean]

Looking good so far. As long as you have some caves its fine. Just do some research and make sure all your fish have what they need.

If you get a goby, make sure its the kind that doesn't sift through the sand because there is nothing in your sand for them to eat and they will slowly starve to death.

 

[TheAquarian]

The watchman will burrow and make its own hiding place but caves would be mor3 natural for it. You can get a pound of live rock rubble and make a couple small mounds behind some of the larger rocks. This would give cave like areas as well as some biological diversity to your setup. From my own experiences leave the artificial corals where you can remove them for easy cleaning. They will need it. FWIW I like the way it’s setup for fish only.

 

[lapin]

I too, would also add some more rock work. Fish like to sleep in holes and caves to feel safe. Lawmower blenny (wait until you have a good crop of hair algae growing before getting him. They are vegetarians and need their greens. Watchman and Sand sifters will usually eat frozen mysis and brine shrimp. The sand sifters will keep your sand bed clean. Wait a few months until you have some tiny critters crawling in your sand bed before adding one.

 

[siniang]

Fish like to sleep in holes and caves to feel safe

Haha, yep


She would go to sleep by the clock, like, literally. It was the cutest thing with that little tail sticking out.

Unfortunately, I don't have any LFS that carries live rock. I got two more lava rocks today and will see what I can build. It's actually hard to see in the picture, but the artificial decor has holes in them, too. So I guess, all in all I should be fine?

As for sandsifters...I have live sand, so it might already be good for a watchman? If I go for a lawnmower, even if they take mysis and brine, I should wait until I have algae, then?

All the artifical staff is freestanding and easy to take out for cleaning