36 Gallon bow front reef aquariam

[gplundberg]

Hi everybody! I just got a 36 gallon bow front aquarium during petsmarts Memorial Day sale and I wanted to make a reef aquarium because I love to scuba dive. The question is what should I put in and how many fish/coral could I have in the tank. It is currently cycling and I would also like to know how much live rock in ( I already have live sand). Thanks!

 

[silverado61]

The same as the sand. About 1 pnd per gallon. Did you get rid of the tank lid? I have the same tank you do and the first thing I did was lose the lid and replaced it with egg crate and an LED light. Check out my profile pics to see how I did mine. I just cut the egg crate in two pieces so I can raise the front half for access.

 

[gplundberg]

I still have the lid and I am planning on doing is replacing the light already in the lid and putting in a T5 HO

 

[gplundberg]

What fish should I put in, all I ask is that they can get along with a clownfish because I would love to see a clownfish and anenome pair. I was thinking a ocellaris clownfish, bicolor dotty back, electric damsel, Caribbean blue reef chromis, half and half chromis and a couple so inverts. Would this be a good combination?

 

[silverado61]

I still have the lid and I am planning on doing is replacing the light already in the lid and putting in a T5 HOAmmonia releases Nitrites, which releases Nitrates. Nitrates releases as a gas which becomes trapped by your tanks lid and goes back into your water. You want air flow across your water to get rid of those gases. I suggest losing the lid for egg crate to get that air flow and to prevent your fish from becoming carpet divers.

 

[geridoc]

Your fish selection is not too bad. I would lose the damsel - all it will do is cause you problems with the other fish, and bite you when you put your hand in the tank. I would start with the dottyback, then add 3 chromis (they school,and are very interesting to watch as well as being beautiful), then a long pause to allow the tank to mature, then add the anemone/clownfish pair. The clownfish should be the last vertebrate entry since they can become territorial and aggressive. silverado61's recommendation to put egg crate on the top of your tank is a good idea. Otherwise you may accumulate carbon dioxide, which will acidify the water in the tank. Since you are planning an anemone you should maximize your lighting.

 

[gplundberg]

Thanks for the info but I am on a tight budget. How much would it cost to make the egg carton lid?

 

[gplundberg]

Would the chromis that I chose school together even though they are different species of chromis

 

[silverado61]

Thanks for the info but I am on a tight budget. How much would it cost to make the egg carton lid?
Egg crate for your 36 bow-front? $10 plus tax at Menards. Just don't get one that's painted. I wouldn't trust the salt splash to blister the paint and fall into your tank. I'll post a pic on how I cut mine to fit.

 

[geridoc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gplundberg http:///t/396605/36-gallon-bow-front-reef-aquariam#post_3534026
Would the chromis that I chose school together even though they are different species of chromis
Probably not.

 

[gplundberg]

Your fish selection is not too bad.  I would lose the damsel - all it will do is cause you problems with the other fish, and bite you when you put your hand in the tank.  I would start with the dottyback, then add 3 chromis (they school,and are very interesting to watch as well as being beautiful), then a long pause to allow the tank to mature, then add the anemone/clownfish pair.  The clownfish should be the last vertebrate entry since they can become territorial and aggressive.  silverado61's recommendation to put egg crate on the top of your tank is a good idea.  Otherwise you may accumulate carbon dioxide, which will acidify the water in the tank.  Since you are planning an anemone you should maximize your lighting.
I heard bicolor dottybacks can be agressive so I am questioning if it is a good idea to put it in first

 

[geridoc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gplundberg http:///t/396605/36-gallon-bow-front-reef-aquariam#post_3534252
I heard bicolor dottybacks can be agressive so I am questioning if it is a good idea to put it in first
They can be territorial. Start with the shoal of chromis, then the dottyback, then wait a long time before adding the anenome since they do best in a mature, stable tank.

 

[gplundberg]

They can be territorial.  Start with the shoal of chromis, then the dottyback, then wait a long time before adding the anenome since they do best in a mature, stable tank.
I got to the pet store and the people there told me to get a Royal Gramma so I got him instead.

 

[silverado61]

Never, ever, ever let a "Pet" store tell you what to buy. Go in there knowing what you want and research it first so you know what it needs and how to care for it.