Fish and Coral best for beginners

[JoshH]

I'm new to the hobby as well, haven't quite gotten my tank wet yet, lots to do before that point to get it to where I'll be happy. But from what I've read and been suggested the toadstools are the way to go for a first timer. At least you've got a soild plan and are doing your research and asking questions now and not after the fact. Biggest thing in this hobby it seems is research research research. Luckily you've found a place with TONS of helpful people who are always eager to steer you clear of trouble as long as you ask before trouble strikes. As for trying to get ahead of algae, algae blooms are a natural part of your tanks cycle and can be a good thing as long as your tank cycles properly and everything checks out it should, for the most part go away on its own. A handy clean up crew should be able to keep it at bay if everything is testing good unless it's one of those lovely types everyone loaths. But even at that point there are some threads here that have shown great success removing even the worst outbreaks.

 

[kass03]

Anemones shouldn't be put into a tank until it's at least 6 months to a year old.
Maxi mini anemones don't host clowns and can eat them and other fish. If you do eventually get a nem a bubble tip is more hardy than most clown hosting nems.
A 20 gallon tank can't have very many fish, 3 would be pushing it because all marine fish are territorial and clownfish are part of the damsel family. If you get 2 clowns you can maybe add a small bottom dweller. I dunno about a royal gramma because they are territorial also but usually somewhat peaceful in a larger tank.
Good luck!

 

[Scrappy RN]

I'm just seeing up my first reef tank too and really had my heart set on an anemone in the beginning. The more I read about them the more leery I am of getting one- though I may still try one day in the future. ( maybe in an otherwise dedicated FOWLR tank) These suggestions for coral substitutes by everyone are great though! I'll be following along to see what you end up with! Good luck!!

 

[Christian H]

Green banded gobies are easy and do well in nano tanks!

 

[Christian H]

Yeah, I just bought the tank today, but I'm planning! I've got a cycle going and all that jazz, but this post is for when my tank is ready. Thanks for the input! I think I'm going to steer clear of anemones for now. lol. The cons are beginning to out way the pros.

I feel ya, I have the right water quality and lighting. But there are just way more cons than pros.

 

[fishflipper]

First off congrats on the tank. This us a fun hobby if you take it slow and don't rush into things. Doing so will result in bad things to the tank and frustration.

The user who posted those pink "toadstool mushrooms" I believe were wrong. Most toadstool mushrooms are green and brown. I think they are carpet anemones. They are really cool looking but not good for a small tank and can definitely eat fish.

Any soft corals are good for beginners. Leather corals, mushrooms, zoas, green star polyps. Be careful with some of the soft corals like green star polyps (GSP), pulsing xena, Lena trees. All cool corals but fast growers and can take over a tank. If you put them in the tank try to isolate them so they are on a rock all of there own so they don't end up taking over the tank.

Clownfish are good fish for beginners and aren't usually too aggressive. Stay away from the maroon family of clowns. They get bigger and are more aggressive. Bangai cardinal fish are a good fish for beginners and will typically stay together in a school. In a 20 gallon tank you can't put too much in there so plan out what you really want and don't make impulse buys.

What type of filtration are you running? That will be very important to keep the algae at bay. After the tank is fully cycled start out with a good clean up crew of hermets (stick to the blue and red legged) and snails.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[JAMSOURY]

Yes they do. These are the 3 nicest I have seen.

Whoa. Anyone have any idea where we can find that pink toadstool?

 

[JAMSOURY]

Nm the post above me is correct, it’s a carpet anemone

 

[Lninwa]

Also, does anyone have tips on how to prevent algae in new tanks? I've heard a lot of horror story's of people's new tanks getting over run with algae. I want to fight it before it even starts. lol

The best way to prevent algae in a new tank is to cycle your rock in a brute trash can for a minimum of about 8 weeks. It's not worth the money to buy real live rock. The added benefit of using dry rock is that it is pest free. "Fishofhex" has a recent video of how he is cycling his rock in preparation of setting up his 300 gal build. You want to have all the dead organic matter decompose and stay out of your new tank. Good luck

 

[justingraham]

The best way to prevent algae in a new tank is to cycle your rock in a brute trash can for a minimum of about 8 weeks. It's not worth the money to buy real live rock. The added benefit of using dry rock is that it is pest free. "Fishofhex" has a recent video of how he is cycling his rock in preparation of setting up his 300 gal build. You want to have all the dead organic matter decompose and stay out of your new tank. Good luck

Ahhh I don’t know about that did u read mike paletttas article about this? How all his Corals were dying and he didn’t know why and it turned out to be because he didn’t use live rock?