Gaspipe
Well-Known Member
CLIFF NOTES: due to this long winded post, here is the quick. Can anyone recommend a thread to read that the author goes into great details of why he/she choose what they did for their reef vs someone who just documents the ups and downs.
I've been reading material after material here (for which I am grateful) and watching some of the more popular youtube channels. I'm looking for a really "must read"/watch thread you may suggest. The one bit of information I received that I liked was, start from the "bottom and work your way up". Meaning, imagine your completed tank and how it would look let's say 3 or so years out. Then incorporate the equipment and recipe to achieve this tank.
My issues are, with inexperience you really don't know what you want. I think I want a mixed tank as I am only looking to have one tank in my house. I have also determined that a QT should be available as well.
It's funny, the more I read to answer a question, the more questions seems to surface. I may look up what are the correct conditions for a specific coral. Which then leads to me to try and figure out placement. What other corals can this guy touch. How high up the scape to place him, is the flow proper, is there enough light? How will this coral thrive in 6 months or 3 years. Will it start to tower and suffocate other corals or will they do that in return? I want this cluster of rock to look nice, so what other colors, textures can I add to this spot?
Here is a list of things i know I like, but uncertain of the trade-off:
Thanks again in advance!
I've been reading material after material here (for which I am grateful) and watching some of the more popular youtube channels. I'm looking for a really "must read"/watch thread you may suggest. The one bit of information I received that I liked was, start from the "bottom and work your way up". Meaning, imagine your completed tank and how it would look let's say 3 or so years out. Then incorporate the equipment and recipe to achieve this tank.
My issues are, with inexperience you really don't know what you want. I think I want a mixed tank as I am only looking to have one tank in my house. I have also determined that a QT should be available as well.
It's funny, the more I read to answer a question, the more questions seems to surface. I may look up what are the correct conditions for a specific coral. Which then leads to me to try and figure out placement. What other corals can this guy touch. How high up the scape to place him, is the flow proper, is there enough light? How will this coral thrive in 6 months or 3 years. Will it start to tower and suffocate other corals or will they do that in return? I want this cluster of rock to look nice, so what other colors, textures can I add to this spot?
Here is a list of things i know I like, but uncertain of the trade-off:
- Clowns. I think I want a pair, it would be cool to have the option of breeding them much later on in this hobby. I would opt for designer, unusual clowns if all things are the par, baring cost of course.
- Clams. I love them, love how they look, love that they filter water. If I can achieve the correct environment I would 100% try to have them in the tank.
- Bare bottom. As much as I love how sand looks it seems currently everything I read is encouraging a bare-bottom floor.
- Fuge. I love the idea of a natural cycle of life. Where nature is helping this reef help itself. I intend to have pods to help feed corals and fish.
- Mandarin Goby. What a beautiful fish, and from my initial research their diet is the hardest thing. I think if I have a plentiful supply of pods for this guy he would thrive.
- I would like a tank that helps itself. I guess the term is utilitarian? Where they actually add more benefits than they deplete. This I am very unsure of unfortunately. Shrimps, crabs, snails, etc. I want a good healthy balance that reduces my maintenance and if they look cool all the better. I do like sea urchins but have not researched them enough yet.
- Fish. I do want some fish in the tank for movement. I prefer smaller fish (i think) vs larger. I also do not think I would have a larger tank. Most likely below 100 gallons. So I like the idea of a "school" of smaller similar fish. And when I say school I mean 3-7. I would like them to also help keep the tank cleaner and have purpose. Be pretty, I guess the prettier they are the less work they have to do lol, but someone will have to pick up the slack! The one fish I keep hearing how wonderful they are at maintenance are tangs. I just don't think I will have a tank large enough to house one. Perhaps an option is to buy it small, with the intentions of trading it in at the LFS for credit. Also don't know if this is kind to the fish or even a real option.
- Corals. I love them all from zoos to SPS and everything in between. I want a good balance of color, texture and movement. I just recently read not to let your LR go much past half-way up your tank. This allows corals room to grow. Kinda makes sense. I love a colony that looks like a brain (still not sure if they're acorns, an LPS or something else) especially when they have a contrasting outline from the "inside" flesh part.
Thanks again in advance!
