New tank! fish and scape suggestions?

Ethan9696 · Mar 12, 2019

Recently upgraded to this 32 gallon tank. Now I know I don’t have enough rock to fill it up but I need scape suggestion! How should I go about scaping it? What suggestions for coral? I have 2 clowns, a scooter blenny, coral banded shrimp, and a chocolate chip starfish! What new fish should I add? All help is greatly appreciated!

James M · Mar 12, 2019

Are you dosing pods are doing anything special for the scooter blenny ? I would return it or find a home right away

Ethan9696 · Mar 12, 2019

James M said:
Are you dosing pods are doing anything special for the scooter blenny ? I would return it or find a home right away

Why should I return it

nereefpat · Mar 12, 2019

Ethan9696 said:
Why should I return it

Scooter blennies need a larger, established tank with lots of rock. They basically only eat pods, and will starve if requirements aren't met.

I would also get rid of the starfish if you want corals, since that variety eats them.

Ethan9696 · Mar 12, 2019

nereefpat said:
Scooter blennies need a larger, established tank with lots of rock. They basically only eat pods, and will starve if requirements aren't met.

I should have clarified. I’ve had him for about a month or two but I got a new bigger aquarium. I’m going to get more rock soon so there’s more hiding spots. However, he eats everything i put in there and he eats a lot so I don’t think he’s starving.

James M · Mar 12, 2019

Ethan9696 said:
Why should I return it

Because your tank is new and probably has no pods. Hence why I asked are you dosing pods or doing anything special

Ethan9696 · Mar 12, 2019

James M said:
Because your tank is new and probably has no pods. Hence why I asked are you dosing pods or doing anything special

The tank is new, the fish are not. Have had him for about a few months in a different tank. Moved all the stuff in that tank, including the water, sand, and rocks, into the bigger one. And no I’m not but he eats everything I put in there and is active and healthy.

James M · Mar 12, 2019

Maybe #reefsquad can help

DSC reef · Mar 12, 2019

Did the tank cycle? It doesn't matter if the fish are from another tank, it matters that the tank is new and doesn't have the proper food source for the live stock.

BellaCoop · Mar 12, 2019

Definitely dont get corals with that Star Fish, But i have seen more of those scooters eat frozen than the Mandarins and such. If it is not eating any frozen how ever, its never fun to have them starve =(

Ethan9696 · Mar 12, 2019

BellaCoop said:
Definitely dont get corals with that Star Fish, But i have seen more of those scooters eat frozen than the Mandarins and such. If it is not eating any frozen how ever, its never fun to have them starve =(

He eats all frozen food I put in there

Ethan9696 · Mar 12, 2019

DSC reef said:
Did the tank cycle? It doesn't matter if the fish are from another tank, it matters that the tank is new and doesn't have the proper food source for the live stock.

Yes the tank cycled

BellaCoop · Mar 12, 2019

For the rocks it is hard to see what selections you have from the picture. Try to make arches so the corals that want less light can be put below it. Arches also look cool in my option. If they benefit and look cool that is a win win haha

James M · Mar 12, 2019

Also from research and people have told me on here that dragonets and blennys cant just survive off frozen unless target feed multiple times a day.

Mikedawg · Mar 12, 2019

Ethan9696 said:
Recently upgraded to this 32 gallon tank. Now I know I don’t have enough rock to fill it up but I need scape suggestion! How should I go about scaping it? What suggestions for coral? I have 2 clowns, a scooter blenny, coral banded shrimp, and a chocolate chip starfish! What new fish should I add? All help is greatly appreciated!

I used some CaribSea Tonga branches in mine; combined with what you have will give the aquascape height and plenty of space for swim throughs

KyleFudge123 · Mar 12, 2019

I have an OG Bounce I'll donate to your reef for free.

ZoWhat · Mar 12, 2019

Ethan, dude....go slow or you'll end up burning thru coral and fish cash with nothing to show for it.

Research everything that catches your eye

Gareth elliott · Mar 12, 2019

If are set against returning the dragonette.

Buy
-an acclimation box small size is probably fine.
-plastic dish scrubbers.
-pods
-turkey baster(label as reef use only, these are multi use)
Now

Fill the acclimation box with the plastic dish scrubbers.

Place in the tank

Now using the turkey baster stir and slowly add the pods to the box, most have a large hole on the top door to make this easy.
Do this after the lights have gone off.

Not perfect but at least give the pods a chance to breed in the tank free of predation.

Return the star fish, there really isnt anything in that tank for it to eat. They have abysmal survival rates even in mature tanks, which your tank is not.

nereefpat · Mar 12, 2019

These specific stars, and the red knobby ones, are pretty hardy In my experience. I kept one a decade or so ago. They just aren't safe with corals, so you have to pick one or the other.