Help stocking my 20g long nano reef

FriedReef TV · Jan 29, 2019

Started my 20g long reef tank about 3 weeks ago with live sand and base rock. I'm not new to the hobby but it's been a real long time since I've had a tank. Im running 2 aqua clear 50 filters; one as a refugium, and one with carbon, filter floss, etc... I'm about to buy 2 aqua knight A029 for lighting (im using a cheap Amazon light atm) For flow I'm using a aqueon wavemaker 500 and with the 2 filters on the other side I get plenty of movement. Anyway, I need help stocking this thing. I plan to grow all kinds of coral in here once I get it more established, but need some fish and CUC first. I have one clownfish in there now, but that's it. What should all should I stock it with? Should I put it all in at once? Or will that go too hard on the bioload? Feel free to leave any tips as well that may help me with your recs, thanks.

Luna · Jan 29, 2019

I too have 20 long. In there I have 2 clowns, lawnmower blenny for algae and a file fish for aiptasia. Not sure if I can add more, would like to though.

Luna · Mar 11, 2019

Can I? Should I?

MrObscura · Mar 11, 2019

I'd stick to four small fish in a 20 personally. Maybe 5 if the 5th was a goby/shrimp pair. That Said if your nutrient import/export keeps up size and space are really the only limiting factors. A larger number of small stationary fish is a lot different than a number of active swimmers.

As for OP, I'd get a small 2nd clown to hopefully develop a pair. They do fine solo but are not solitary fish and a pair is fun to watch.

If your not bare bottom, a watcher goby/pistol shrimp pair is cool. And a small utilitarian fish for the 4th would be my pick. A blenny for algae and/or a small wrasse for pests.