24 gallon reef

[ajer]

I have a 24 gallon bow front tank. 296 GPH, 80 watt orbit dual PC lighting + moon lights, Protein skimmer. It has been set up with 22 pounds live rock for 5 months, just 2 days ago added a 4 inch BTA (Entacmaea quadricolor) and 2 common clowns (Amphiprion ocellaris). BTA doing great

. Slight clown aggression. I am planing to get a 50 GPD RO unit. I am wondering what ideas you guys have for adding to the tank after 2-3 months. I was thinking a green mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus) and 2 cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) or adding a Soft Coral Multi Pack + Ricordea (saltwaterfish.com) and 2 cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Which do you think is better? Or do you have a better idea?

 

[jeanheckle]

Your tank isn't anywhere near ready to support a mandarin. I'm not sure but I think you may also need stronger lighting. I would definately go with the corals, I think it would look gorgeous. I have gotten so addicted to zoanthids and paly, when you have actinic lights they glow neon colors. Good luck,

 

[ajer]

I have the AQUAPOD 24. Due to heat issues, Current replaced the stinking lighting in the hood with a ORBIT 20" 80 watts (40 watt 420/460 nm bulb and a 10,000 K Daylight and 2 lunars) Do you really think that's not enough? That's 3.5 WPG. And are you saying that's not enough for the BTA or the soft corals? Also I have the normal Aquapod output in left hand upper corner in the back. 2 outputs from the same pump. When I get the corals I was thinking of adding a 400 GPH Hydor Koralia (290+400=690 Total GPH) in the right hand upper front corner mounted to the side. Would this provide enough flow or is this to much and i should only put a 240 GPH Hydor Koralia (290+240=530 Total GPH) in the corner? Or should I use some other brand of powerhead?
And is the Soft Coral pack with Ricordia good? (saltwaterfish.com)
Thanks

 

[jeanheckle]

I don't think the lighting is enough for the BTA, I just set up a 29 gallon, I have two #2 Koralia's on opposite sides of the tank. If you want to email me my email is jeanheckle@aol.com in reference to where to get great corals. SWF.com has some great corals to start with, If it were me I would start with some mushrooms and maybe xenia before investing that much in a coral pack until you see how they respond to your set up.
Dori

 

[gatorwpb]

You cant use the watt per gallon for determining strength. BTA need strong lighting, such as metal halide or t-5 with individual reflectors.
Id stick with the low-medium light coral and shrimp.

 

[yearofthenick]

I don't think you need two cleaner shrimp in a 24... a single cleaner will do just fine, but if you want to spend a few more bucks, go with a flame shrimp... they are just as good at cleaning fish (if not better) and they are waaay more beautiful in color.
As for an anemone, for me the biggest concern would be how long your tank has been set up. they need really clean water to be happy and healthy, which means that you'd need to give your tank time to get rid of all the impurities. I have successfully kept an anemone under PC lighting - I think it's possible, but not ideal.
Go with soft corals and ric's. At least for me, it is the most rewarding to see a tank full of beautiful neon colors.

 

[ajer]

Apparently EVERYONE agrees with you. I am thinking about getting a 70 watt Viper HQI Clamp Lamp. Does this sound good?
(I will be postponing getting the RO until december to get this)
Thanks

 

[ajer]

Who voted for the mandarin?