Planning for LPS in a Nano setup

[cmoore806]

I'm investigating potential LPS corals for my first saltwater aquarium. I have a Fluval Evo 13.5 Nano tank (with stock 14000K LED lighting). I'm planning to have a Clown, goby, and ?? fish. As for corals I'd like to have a Scolymia (https://www.liveaquaria.com/divers-den/product/505635/aussie-scolymia-coral) and a bubble tip anemone and probably some zoas eventually. Because the tank is small maybe I should wait a while and add the anemone first to see where it settles in before adding a scolymia?

I should have my quarantine tank cycled in the next couple weeks and thought I could order the fish and a coral or two at the same time based on availability from liveaquaria. My thinking is that I would only need to dip the corals prior to putting them in the display tank, then I could do the display tank with just a coral or two while my fish are in quarantine >30 days. After I get some bio-load in the tank maybe then add a CUC. then last add my fish after they've cleared quarantine.

I've been watching my salinity, pH, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates. I've ordered hanna checkers for testing Alk, Calcium, salinity, pH, to make it a little easier to get the most accurate data.

Oh I also have a BRS RODI 4 stage 75 GPD setup and have the Instant Ocean salt, probably would want to to the Instant Ocean Reef Crystals in the future since I'd house corals and not just fish. Right out of the gate I replaced the stock return pump with a Sicce Syncra 1.0 (251 gph) and I can always turn flow down. The powerhead is a Koralia Nano (240 GPH).

Am I setting myself up for failure and should I wait a few months before adding corals?

 

[Spare time]

I will say the Hanna Calcium checker is known to be finicky. I wouldn't waste time with a magnesium test if you do weekly water changes. Also for salt, make sure you are at your new salt alkalinity before you but the corals in as big swings will irritate them. When you dose alk and such, dose it into the rear chamber (preferably the area before the sponge).



Don't get coral until you have added your first two fish. The order of things should be fish ---> cuc ---> corals. Before you get the fish in, start your cycle in the tank with some ammonia (dr tims ammonium chloride works) or some fish food and a bottle of bacteria. Do water changes to make sure you don't get phosphates (which you definitely need to test for) or nitrates too high and keep lights off/


PS the blue on the tank is not a night light, it is the main channel for coral growth (white is for our eyes).

 

[cmoore806]

I guess I should have mentioned I’m on day 8 of my dr Tim’s one and only fish less cycle using ammonium chloride. But I am doing a quarantine tank cycle that seems to be going faster than my display tank. Figures.

 

[Spare time]

I guess I should have mentioned I’m on day 8 of my dr Tim’s one and only fish less cycle using ammonium chloride. But I am doing a quarantine tank cycle that seems to be going faster than my display tank. Figures.

Good job on doing a qt. Also, for corals a dip is fine but some people will have a qt for them (doesn't need to be cycled much) but Honestly a dip is fine and the best thing you can do other than a dip is just don't buy the coral from a tank with nasty pests like flatworms and such.

 

[NS Mike D]

nems and clowns in a nano is doable, but think that through. nems can outgrow a nano not to mention the damage when it decides to go for a walk.

You can do a nem only with clowns which can be very good

LPS nano is a great plan. zoas add a good compliment to lps. You can start with them.

I like a tail spot blenny ina nano with a watchman goby. The goby should stay put so the tail spot can perch on the scoly and about the rocks.

 

[cmoore806]

nems and clowns in a nano is doable, but think that through. nems can outgrow a nano not to mention the damage when it decides to go for a walk.

You can do a nem only with clowns which can be very good

LPS nano is a great plan. zoas add a good compliment to lps. You can start with them.

I like a tail spot blenny ina nano with a watchman goby. The goby should stay put so the tail spot can perch on the scoly and about the rocks.

I wasn't sure if the tailspot blenny and watchman goby would have enough area figuring they could be territorial? Im glad you mentioned the cons to an anemone because I was thinking the same things and wondering if it would be best to wait for a larger tank. Im praying the nano reef works well because then I'd feel more confident getting bigger $$ into a 150-200 gallon tank next.

 

[Spare time]

I wasn't sure if the tailspot blenny and watchman goby would have enough area figuring they could be territorial? Im glad you mentioned the cons to an anemone because I was thinking the same things and wondering if it would be best to wait for a larger tank. Im praying the nano reef works well because then I'd feel more confident getting bigger $$ into a 150-200 gallon tank next.

You could do a bubble tip in the tank. They do not get big. Also those two fish will be fine. Blennies and gobies do not fight eachother. Blenny vs blenny is another story.

 

[NS Mike D]

You could do a bubble tip in the tank. They do not get big. Also those two fish will be fine. Blennies and gobies do not fight eachother. Blenny vs blenny is another story.

tell melev that

 

[Spare time]

Most bubble tips don't end up like that. I have 5 and deal with them all the time. It is very rare that you will get one that ends up like those in that video