There are many advantages to small fish in large aquarium IME. I have been doing such for 25 years plus now with great results. I don't quarantine my fish, never have. in my 36 years keeping marines. Sure in the early years I got white spot in my tank but it was so much more "artificial" back then and things were a little limited shall we say.
So some years ago I took stock and thought it all through and decided the way forward was to try, within the constraints of a glass box, to create a reef environment similar to what the fish I decided to keep and that they would find in their natural habitat on the reef. I have been lucky to dive and snorkel the Red Sea and observe fish in their natural habitat and surroundings so I try to take what I learnt and replicate similar with my reef to an extent of course.
Most of my fish are small around 1" to 3" but I do have a Foxface and a Regal angel which are a bit bigger but all fish get along well. I have damsels 2 varieties one as a pair the other a group, a pair of sixline wrasse and a group of 4 Royal grammas and a pair of clowns as an example and there is no real aggression between any of them just the odd dominant show.
I am sure over the years I have introduced white spot into my tank more recently with a couple of the Royal grammas as I saw the odd few spots on one when first introduced and it was flicking against the rock work. However, within about 48 hours the spots had gone and no other fish showed any signs of the WS or any other ailments. All my fish seem content with what I do and provide for them and I put that down to my methods including the environment I create for them.
Of course, my filtration and water quality is a big aid along with the foods I feed and regularity of feeding which is at least 3 times often 4 times a day with a whole variety of foods including my own DIY foods. I also have a lot of flow in my tank with constantly changing currents.
The only thing missing are predators on them but I don't think they mind that at all lol.
So some years ago I took stock and thought it all through and decided the way forward was to try, within the constraints of a glass box, to create a reef environment similar to what the fish I decided to keep and that they would find in their natural habitat on the reef. I have been lucky to dive and snorkel the Red Sea and observe fish in their natural habitat and surroundings so I try to take what I learnt and replicate similar with my reef to an extent of course.
Most of my fish are small around 1" to 3" but I do have a Foxface and a Regal angel which are a bit bigger but all fish get along well. I have damsels 2 varieties one as a pair the other a group, a pair of sixline wrasse and a group of 4 Royal grammas and a pair of clowns as an example and there is no real aggression between any of them just the odd dominant show.
I am sure over the years I have introduced white spot into my tank more recently with a couple of the Royal grammas as I saw the odd few spots on one when first introduced and it was flicking against the rock work. However, within about 48 hours the spots had gone and no other fish showed any signs of the WS or any other ailments. All my fish seem content with what I do and provide for them and I put that down to my methods including the environment I create for them.
Of course, my filtration and water quality is a big aid along with the foods I feed and regularity of feeding which is at least 3 times often 4 times a day with a whole variety of foods including my own DIY foods. I also have a lot of flow in my tank with constantly changing currents.
The only thing missing are predators on them but I don't think they mind that at all lol.
