Nano Tank??

[CanadianReefer]

Okay, so...

I have an ocellaris clownfish pair, but lately the female has become far too aggressive in her persuit and the male has subsequently suffered some (so far minor) injuries to the face and fins. I'm not entirely sure what happened - one day he just stopped gyrating back at her (even when she gyrates first) and started facing her when she'd come up to him. He's either standing his ground or playing dead at the top of the aquarium, which of course makes the female quite ticked off (yes, it is positively a male/female combo in case anyone was going to ask).

I tried separating them into acclamation boxes and reintroducing them, but she's still being nasty, so I've decided to separate them officially. Though I realize this phase may pass, it's just not worth seeing one hurt or worse.

Onto the better news - great excuse for a nano tank

I'm looking for ideas. My tanks are/have always been huge - I've never had a nano before (well, freshwater, yes, but not saltwater). I currently have a 5g and several 10g tanks available (old QT tanks from a wall of QTs I used to have) and a 20g tank which I've kept running in case of emergency and/or a QT is needed.

I would prefer to use something I already have on hand, though I'm not convinced that any would truly be big enough for the clownfish and I don't want her to be uncomfortable. What do you think? It would be the only fish in the tank.

I also saw a 30g long for $39. If I make it a fish only or softie/lps tank, I could use the led strips from my 10g tanks and rig up some sort of light.... I have heaters that would work, as well as aquaclear HOB filters that would be big enough, so equipment costs would be minimal.

or... I could buy a good LED light and turn this into a dedicated SPS tank (I don't have one of those currently... I have a mixed reef and a softie tank). I could run 2 aquaclear in that case, converting one to a refugium (or make a diy chaeto reactor).

Or... I could have an anemone-only tank... a clownfish would appreciate that!

So much to choose from...

If it were you, what would you do?? I'm looking for ideas and tips on nano tanks in general.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Okay, so...

I have an ocellaris clownfish pair, but lately the female has become far too aggressive in her persuit and the male has subsequently suffered some (so far minor) injuries to the face and fins. I'm not entirely sure what happened - one day he just stopped gyrating back at her (even when she gyrates first) and started facing her when she'd come up to him. He's either standing his ground or playing dead at the top of the aquarium, which of course makes the female quite ticked off (yes, it is positively a male/female combo in case anyone was going to ask).

I tried separating them into acclamation boxes and reintroducing them, but she's still being nasty, so I've decided to separate them officially. Though I realize this phase may pass, it's just not worth seeing one hurt or worse.

Onto the better news - great excuse for a nano tank

I'm looking for ideas. My tanks are/have always been huge - I've never had a nano before (well, freshwater, yes, but not saltwater). I currently have a 5g and several 10g tanks available (old QT tanks from a wall of QTs I used to have) and a 20g tank which I've kept running in case of emergency and/or a QT is needed.

I would prefer to use something I already have on hand, though I'm not convinced that any would truly be big enough for the clownfish and I don't want her to be uncomfortable. What do you think? It would be the only fish in the tank.

I also saw a 30g long for $39. If I make it a fish only or softie/lps tank, I could use the led strips from my 10g tanks and rig up some sort of light.... I have heaters that would work, as well as aquaclear HOB filters that would be big enough, so equipment costs would be minimal.

or... I could buy a good LED light and turn this into a dedicated SPS tank (I don't have one of those currently... I have a mixed reef and a softie tank). I could run 2 aquaclear in that case, converting one to a refugium (or make a diy chaeto reactor).

Or... I could have an anemone-only tank... a clownfish would appreciate that!

So much to choose from...

If it were you, what would you do?? I'm looking for ideas and tips on nano tanks in general.

I'd use the 20 long for the clown, and use one of the many 10's you have as a new qt Were you running copper or anything in your 20qt? Just make sure to rinse it all it well to get rid of any copper traces before adding rock or corals and inverts

 

[CanadianReefer]

I'd use the 20 long for the clown, and use one of the many 10's you have as a new qt Were you running copper or anything in your 20qt? Just make sure to rinse it all it well to get rid of any copper traces before adding rock or corals and inverts

No worries on the copper. I've cleaned all of these tanks out quite thoroughly and the one that's been constantly running has not had copper in it, so all good

What would you do if you were me? Anemone only? SPS dominant? Mixed reef?

I'm going to get it all set up today. I have leftover paint from my large build, TONS of left over live sand, plenty of live rock to choose from etc. Other than letting the sand settle, it would be ready to go. It's simply a matter of picking and choosing what direction to go with wrt the corals.

I'm excited... (my husband won't be... so it will be a better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission sort of deal lol)

 

[Crabs McJones]

No worries on the copper. I've cleaned all of these tanks out quite thoroughly and the one that's been constantly running has not had copper in it, so all good

What would you do if you were me? Anemone only? SPS dominant? Mixed reef?

I'm going to get it all set up today. I have leftover paint from my large build, TONS of left over live sand, plenty of live rock to choose from etc. Other than letting the sand settle, it would be ready to go. It's simply a matter of picking and choosing what direction to go with wrt the corals.

I'm excited... (my husband won't be... so it will be a better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission sort of deal lol)

Honestly, if you were doing a single clownfish, and had the resources, i'd do all anemone. If he's going to be alone in the tank let him have the time of his life

 

[CanadianReefer]

Honestly, if you were doing a single clownfish, and had the resources, i'd do all anemone. If he's going to be alone in the tank let him have the time of his life

Truth be told, I was leaning in that direction... what fun!! I can get my hands on red, blue or neon green carpet anemones, or sebae, or bubble tips....

Carpets are the natural choice, but they get pretty big.

Hmmm. It's research time!

 

[CanadianReefer]

Truth be told, I was leaning in that direction... what fun!! I can get my hands on red, blue or neon green carpet anemones, or sebae, or bubble tips....

Carpets are the natural choice, but they get pretty big.

Hmmm. It's research time!

The build has started, so perhaps I'll move over into the new build section and post my soon to be mini tank there