Coral only vs. coral with fish

[glb]

I'm getting ready to restock my 12g nano. I've always had a few clownfish along with some coral. The tank is empty right now. My question is are there any benefits to keeping fish in a reef tank? I've thought about doing coral only because the water quality would be easier to maintain, but is there any downside to this I'm not aware of?

 

[mcarroll]

I'd do coral-only.

A). Too small for normal fish to live normally. (Check out Barnacle Blennies.)
B) Corals are easier than fish.
C). You can always decide to add fish after your corals grow out a bit if you change your mind.

Plus what you said!

(My tank was fishless for a few years.)

 

[mcarroll]

Forgot to add: fish poop makes perfect coral food.

If/when you add fish, this is good to keep in mind - don't ALSO feed your coral.

 

[glb]

Thank you! I've usually kept two clowns but I think I'm going to try coral only for a while. Without fish my nitrates are holding steady at 5ppm.

 

[3dees]

I think a 12 gal. tank is too small for one adult clown let alone two. go fishless or a small fish just for some movement.

 

[glb]

I think a 12 gal. tank is too small for one adult clown let alone two. go fishless or a small fish just for some movement.

I decided to go fishless. Here's my new coral!

 

[glb]

It's a favia, lobo and acan.

 

[saltyphish]

Definitely should be easier to maintain better water quality. Good luck and keep us updated with any new additions.

 

[glb]

Definitely should be easier to maintain better water quality. Good luck and keep us updated with any new additions.

Thanks! I'll let these settle in then add more. Do you know what favia like as far as flow?

 

[saltyphish]

I believe low flow

 

[glb]

I believe low flow

Thx. I'll move them around until I find a good spot.

 

[saltyphish]

Mine seem to do best in low flow low light

 

[glb]

Mine seem to do best in low flow low light

I have one hydor circulating the water. The flow from the sump area stirs things up too. I have LEDS, blue and white. I never turn the whites on full and the blues are at about 60-70%. I just moved the lobo and favia away from each other because I'm not sure how long their tentacles are.

 

[NanaReefer]

You could always add a couple cool inverts if you like movement. My favorites are Sexy Shrimp, and they love to eat Coral poop!! Lol.

 

[glb]

You could always add a couple cool inverts if you like movement. My favorites are Sexy Shrimp, and they love to eat Coral poop!! Lol.

Thanks! I have a peppermint now. Would they get along? My guess would be no. Lol

 

[NanaReefer]

Hmmm not sure. They do great with Cleaner Shrimp though, which I personally trust more than the Peppermint-lol.

 

[glb]

Hmmm not sure. They do great with Cleaner Shrimp though, which I personally trust more than the Peppermint-lol.

What are cleaner shrimp? I might get a sexy shrimp; they're beautiful and fun to watch. What do they eat?

 

[NanaReefer]

I love the Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. Mine would eat right from my hand.

 

[saltyphish]

Mine does to. I can't stick my hand in the tank without my Skunk cleaner shrimp crawling on me. My youngest boy loves to hand feed it.

I love the Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. Mine would eat right from my hand.

 

[glb]

That's a really cute shrimp.