Orchid dottybacks flow?

[candelloro]

i run a 240 koralia nano power head on my 2.5 G reef and I was wondering if anyone had any input on whether it would be too strong of a flow for an orchid dottyback that’s a little over an inch long or are they pretty strong swimmers?

I have the power head positioned at the upper left back corner of my tank.

 

[Mariette]

Firstly, let me say that the smallest tank I’ve run is a 15g and I found that challenging. How you manage a 2.5g reef, I’ll never know. You must be doing something right so good job!

Secondly, I know this isn’t what you asked and I’m not judging you, but I’m thinking the tank is too small for an orchid Dottyback. Liveaquaria suggests a minimum tank size of 30g. They’re active swimmers and really clever little jerks. I can’t imagine one would be happy in a 2.5g

 

[candelloro]

Firstly, let me say that the smallest tank I’ve run is a 15g and I found that challenging. How you manage a 2.5g reef, I’ll never know. You must be doing something right so good job!

Secondly, I know this isn’t what you asked and I’m not judging you, but I’m thinking the tank is too small for an orchid Dottyback. Liveaquaria suggests a minimum tank size of 30g. They’re active swimmers and really clever little jerks. I can’t imagine one would be happy in a 2.5g

This won’t be long term, just until my second 20 gallon tank is done cycling. Unfortunately I don’t have a quarantine tank I can keep fish in at the moment. I stopped trying to keep any fish in a 2.5 G, recently returned a Pygmy Perchlet back to the store.

Also I’ve had absolutely no issues with stability so far in the 2.5 G reef, my corals are all happy

 

[BadFish619]

Should maybe try putting it the corner and pointing it at the wall for a little deflection.

 

[Mariette]

This won’t be long term, just until my second 20 gallon tank is done cycling. Unfortunately I don’t have a quarantine tank I can keep fish in at the moment. I stopped trying to keep any fish in a 2.5 G, recently returned a Pygmy Perchlet back to the store.

Also I’ve had absolutely no issues with stability so far in the 2.5 G reef, my corals are all happy

I’m so glad you didn’t take my comments the wrong way and I’m glad I haven’t offended you.

How do you do it?!?

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

I believe the fish will be fine. But as mentioned, certainly should not stay in that tank. Happy reefing!

 

[candelloro]

I’m so glad you didn’t take my comments the wrong way and I’m glad I haven’t offended you.

How do you do it?!?

Haha I honestly don’t know, I found that running carbon in my filter helps a lot with keeping clean water and I use a sponge in the filter for biological filtration as well. I do not dose and my Kenya Tree has doubled in size in the past two weeks since I’ve had it. Excuse the shrunken up Xenia though, it does that from time to time and sometimes takes a week to perk back up. The Duncan is new and I got it today, it opened up right away so clearly I must be doing something it likes. I only have two hermits in the tank as well. I don’t find it as hard to keep a tiny tank for some reason, I’ve always kept tiny tanks in the past without issue

 

[candelloro]

Should maybe try putting it the corner and pointing it at the wall for a little deflection.

Tried it, corals hated the flow in that position and closed up, thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[mattzang]

the dottyback will probably figure out a cave over on the left side of the tank out of the flow for the most part

i'm kind of floored you can run that powerhead in that tank without upsetting everything. that's 100 times flow rate.. even most sps acro nuts don't go that high and you're doing it with a duncan, a mushroom, a xenia, and kenya tree? can you upload video of the tank?

 

[candelloro]

the dottyback will probably figure out a cave over on the left side of the tank out of the flow for the most part

i'm kind of floored you can run that powerhead in that tank without upsetting everything. that's 100 times flow rate.. even most sps acro nuts don't go that high and you're doing it with a duncan, a mushroom, a xenia, and kenya tree? can you upload video of the tank?

Sure! None of my corals mind the flow, even the mushroom, I tried keeping it off at one point and they all closed up and wilted in an hour. Recently took the lid off cause the plastic lid I was using trapped heat and didn’t allow enough oxygen exchange, I’ve lost 4 small fish in this tank cause of low oxygen (not all at once lol I’d never keep 4 fish in this small of a tank, they were all nano gobies).