What else can I add?

[mdcmonster]

I have a 20 gallon mixed reef that currently has a pair of clowns, watchman goby/pistol shrimp pair, and a 6 line. I have a skimmer that seems to be keeping nitrates very low and bottoming out scares me as well as I would like my corals to have enough nutrients for growth! Right now everything looks great but what are some other fish that would go good in the tank that I could add? Thanks!

 

[Auquanut]

It sounds to me like you're pretty well stocked for a 20 gallon tank. What is your NO3 and PO4? If it's too low you could increase feeding or loose the skimmer. Maybe a firefish?

 

[Phycodurus]

[scratches manta ray and panther grouper off hastily written list] ;Inpain

one approach is to gauge a level of the tank that is a bit less occupied, but i respectfully concur with Auquanut ... i feel you’re pretty much at capacity.

maybe a chromis that will keep to the upper level of the tank? a possum wrasse is another possibility (mid level / lower level dweller).

 

[sfin52]

a clown goby. Stays small and has loads of personality. Gcg and ycg are good choices

 

[mdcmonster]

a clown goby. Stays small and has loads of personality. Gcg and ycg are good choices

I will check them out!

 

[mdcmonster]

It sounds to me like you're pretty well stocked for a 20 gallon tank. What is your NO3 and PO4? If it's too low you could increase feeding or loose the skimmer. Maybe a firefish?

NO3 and PO4 stay pretty low with weekly water changes and the skimmer going. NO3 is anywhere from 1-5ppm and PO4 I havent tested but there is zero sign of algae and with my water changes it never gets high. I feed a hefty amount as is but I do not want to slow down on water changes as I like my alk replenished so I dont have to dose. This is why I figured I could maybe add another fish!

 

[Auquanut]

Sounds like you're doing a great job. How old is the tank? Can we see a picture?

 

[mdcmonster]

Sounds like you're doing a great job. How old is the tank? Can we see a picture?

Thanks! Tank is 4 months old. Only a few corals right now, will be adding this week! Also a big ole bubble tip nem that has grown a ton and looks amazing (although hes on the back of the right side rock so hes not the most visible), unfortunately no hosting has happened yet. Excited to see it fill up with more corals soon.

 

[Auquanut]

Awesome looking tank! It's still a little young though. As you add corals, keep an eye on your Alc and Calc consumption. Even with frequent water changes, your parameters can change quickly in a tank that size.

 

[mdcmonster]

Awesome looking tank! It's still a little young though. As you add corals, keep an eye on your Alc and Calc consumption. Even with frequent water changes, your parameters can change quickly in a tank that size.

Yeah I am going to probably go to small 1 gallon water changes every other day as more corals come in and then when that does not hold it stable enough I will probably start dosing.

 

[mattzang]

adding anything to an established sixline might go poorly

 

[mdcmonster]

adding anything to an established sixline might go poorly

Didnt even think about him being territorial I was mostly considering the clowns! But that is a very good point

 

[egwich]

I hate to be that guy but if I were you I wouldn’t be considering adding anything regardless of your parameters. Your clowns will eventually claim the entire tank. If the tank is only four months old they haven’t been in there long. If they don’t claim the tank eventually the Wrasse will. If you have the itch for more fish then I would upgrade to a larger system.

 

[mdcmonster]

I hate to be that guy but if I were you I wouldn’t be considering adding anything regardless of your parameters. Your clowns will eventually claim the entire tank. If the tank is only four months old they haven’t been in there long. If they don’t claim the tank eventually the Wrasse will. If you have the itch for more fish then I would upgrade to a larger system.

Thats very good advice, probably the smartest. Most boring? Yes, but smartest. I plan to upgrade but not in the near future.