Tank Review, Plus Pics

[razpufteef]

I just wanted to get some opinions on my setup, layout, and aquarium friends.
Tank: Oceanic 29gal bio cube
Dimensions: 20x20x18.5
Filtration:
-wet/dry biological filtration
-dual filter intake
Power Heads:
1-Submersable built in
1-Aqua Clear 20 gal pump
Lighting: Fluorescent
1-36 watt 10,000 k
1-36 watt True Actinic 03
3-Lunar Blue, Moon Glow LED lights
Base:
-10 lbs-Nature's Ocean Bio-Active Live Sand
Live Rock:
-17lbs Live Rock
Plants:
-Razor Kelp –Caulerpa Prolifera
Tank Conditions:
Temperature: 79 deg
PH: 8.1
KH: 7
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0.3 mg/l
Nitrate: 15 ppm
Calcium: 400 ppm
Specific Gravity: 1.022 or 30 ppt
Inverts:
2-Cleaner Shrimp
2-Porcelin Crabs
3-Electric Blue Crabs
1-Emerald Crab
1-Chocolate Chip-Starfish
9-Astrea Snails
1-Tonga Fighting Conch
Fish:
3- Damsels
1- Valentine Puffer
1- Gold banded Maroon Clown
1- Bubble Tip Anemone
1- Shrimp Watchdog Goby
1- Blue headed Wrasse (This guys is very active, i'm thinking he should probably have a bigger tank. I bought this guy online, he's about 3 inches of fish. Searching online, there are different recommendations, any suggestions?)
If its in his best intrest, i think i'm going to take him to my LFS.
I finally found my camera charger!!!
Here are some pics of my tank:

 

[nicetry]

How long has the tank been set up?
IMO, your lighting is not sufficient to sustain the anemone.
I'd raise the salinity to around 35 ppt simply to keep the inverts happy/healthy.
I think the tank could do with a couple less fish. It looks nice however you could have some problems unless you tweak it a bit.

 

[razpufteef]

This tank has been running for almost 6 weeks now.
Thanks for the advice, i'm going to do more research, and possibly increase the Saltiny over the next 2 water changes, 33-35ppt.
As for the lighting, this tank was made for corals and or fish. I have read that BTA's do not need as much light as other anenome's, and i checked with my LFS owner and he said that the lights would be sufficient. What lights would you recommend?
My anenome is two days new to my tank, he hasn't moved since i put him in, and he also ate a half of a sliverside for me today, my clown was like wow, your going to feed him for me and backed off.
I'm going to take the wrasse to my LFS in the next couple of days, because he has just adjusted to my tank, i dont' want to shock him with a sudden move, just after being shipped here to CA from FL. I'm also going to remove one damsel, the tough guy.
***)

 

[puffer32]

Well you are not going to like what people tell you but this tank is doomed.I don't even think its fully cycled yet. And your lighting is way to weak for an anenome! Your salinity needs to be around o.25. And a puffer needs more room. The tank is certainly unique, but needs lots of changes, please let us help you ok?

 

[razpufteef]

Originally Posted by puffer32
Well you are not going to like what people tell you but this tank is doomed.I don't even think its fully cycled yet. And your lighting is way to weak for an anenome! Your salinity needs to be around o.25. And a puffer needs more room. The tank is certainly unique, but needs lots of changes, please let us help you ok?
Sure any advice you can give!!!
So for the Saltiny 1.025?
I agree puffers need lots of room, I have done some research, and the Valentine puffer only requires a 20 gallon tank? Have i been mislead? That is saltwater.com's recomendation.
My LFS told me the VP would be fine in my tank, but only VP's.
I have been to my LFS every week to have my water tested, to make sure i was doing everything right, and i tested it myself to compare with their tests. My nitrate levels were pretty high three weeks ago, and they have been on a downward slope, there around 15ppm now as of last night. I'm sure this can change at anytime, i'm also sure you know best so if your willing to help me out, i'm willing to listen!
What lighting do you recommend i get for this anenome?
:thinking:

 

[murph]

Well I would certainly not go so far as to say this tank is doomed. It is a somewhat odd combination of livestock
As far as the anemone goes you will get many people that like to speak in absolutes when it comes to this creature i.e. you must have halides. Fact is I have seen this particular species of anemone thrive in a variety of lighting conditions.
One LFS in particular comes to mind. He has a lagoon type system that is split into three sections. The section on the left is lit with MH where he keeps his SPS. The section on the far right has PCs where he keeps some softies. The section in the middle receives nothing but ambient light from the room and whatever is spilling over from the other sections which cant be much. In that section is a huge rose bubble tip that is the size of a medicine ball and host several clowns and it has been there for years.
Certainly factors other than lighting come into play where this animal is concerned. Some if not most of the LFS success with it and low lighting stems from the fact that this system is basically fish less when compared to the overall gallon capacity of the lagoon so the anemone has probably never seen any thing other than pristine water conditions and undetectable nitrate levels. The large water volume probably also provides for vary stable salinity levels, trace element levels etc.
This is something that is going to be impossible to duplicate in a 29 gallon system.
If interested this medicine ball size anemone is for sale. A mear 900 bucks and you can take it home with you

 

[razpufteef]

Originally Posted by Murph
Well I would certainly not go so far as to say this tank is doomed. It is a somewhat odd combination of livestock
As far as the anemone goes you will get many people that like to speak in absolutes when it comes to this creature i.e. you must have halides. Fact is I have seen this particular species of anemone thrive in a variety of lighting conditions.
One LFS in particular comes to mind. He has a lagoon type system that is split into three sections. The section on the left is lit with MH where he keeps his SPS. The section on the far right has PCs where he keeps some softies. The section in the middle receives nothing but ambient light from the room and whatever is spilling over from the other sections which cant be much. In that section is a huge rose bubble tip that is the size of a medicine ball and host several clowns and it has been there for years.
Certainly factors other than lighting come into play where this animal is concerned. Some if not most of the LFS success with it and low lighting stems from the fact that this system is basically fish less when compared to the overall gallon capacity of the lagoon so the anemone has probably never seen any thing other than pristine water conditions and undetectable nitrate levels. This is something that is going to be impossible to duplicate in a 29 gallon system.
My LFS is a small shop and the owner is really helpful, i mean i know why he's so nice, but at the same time, there were about 3 weeks there, he wouldn't let me buy anything. He has given me discounts provided me with some i'm finding out disputable knowledge, and has given me some free stuff as well. I will do business with this guy anytime!
I visited another LFS store this week just to see what they had and this lady was trying to sell me this BTA anenome that had a jelly like mouth(transparent), shrivaled tenticles and she was telling me it was a very strong anenome. She had it in maybe a 25 gallon, with no light, tons of green algae, and she wanted $20 for it. She was like, very good anenome! you want to buy? I have it for 6 months. I was like lady is that thing even alive?
My LFS owner was telling me about how in the 80s people thought coral only needed light, well i know that is very important with corals, and with anenomes. Food is also very important. I have read that BTA's are the hardiest of anenome's and since my clown fish was originally paired, i thought it would only be fair to him, to have some sort of relationship again. That is why i bought it. I also want to be fair to the anenome, so anything i can do to make it live 100 years i will.
So in order to care for this anenome the best i can, would you suggest, more live rock, maybe another plant, and change less water more frequently?
If my bio tank was designed for corals, freshwater, or saltwater environments. Why would the lights be ok for a coral setup, but not support a BTA? Do bta's require a different spectrum of light than that of corals?
Some SF, CA LFS knowledge!
Ive noticed there are alot of fish stores in SF that are really all about the business and not about the fish. You can go buy a clown perc for like $10 and choose from about 50 within about a 20gallon area, overall there is more water in that area(master supply), but still its like a fish market with big speakers and a lot of bass(rumble). Make sure you dress for the club when you want to buy your fish. Out of the 50 you will find about 7 dead fish, maybe 10 with tumors, and some have ich as well, which means they all have ich. These people won't even allow you to ask questions, you get your own fish, and a short answer to every question you ask. On Clement and 6th Ave!

 

[watson3]

Why be so cruel? This kid has set up a tank that they like...Looks good...You did your research...You got what you wanted...Thats what its about...None of this in my opinion the lights are wrong, bad size...They want to know if it LOOKS good...Sure...Its your tank

 

[puffer32]

Well I guess i was alittle harsh in saying the tank was doomed. Sorry, it was very early this morning when I posted and was still half asleep

I actually like the set up, not my taste, but my son would love it

I have always read that VP can go into smaller tanks, but not a 29 gal. As far as your lighting goes, I am not a MH user, so don't think you need it for BTA, but I would recommend something stronger, either more PC or T's if you don't want to go with MH. I still don't believe your tank is fully cycled yet, gotta gets those trites down to 0

 

[sethw]

OK, Wow, Cool tank. I really love the Clown and the Anenome. I have a yellow-tailed Blue damsel, how is yours temper? Valentini Puffers are SOOO cool, vut i cant get one yet......

 

[jacrmill]

I think what threw up a red flag to Puffer 32 was the amount of fish in a 29 gallon tank that is not quite 6 weeks old. I would be scared to add that many fish and an anemone to that small of a system that is that young. I would just be scared that his bioload could not be supported yet. Maybe the fish should have been added more gradually. But it looks nice, and I wish you the best of luck.

 

[lomar]

From what I have read your puffer will probly eat your expensive cleaner shrimp and your snails over time. They have to wear down their teeth. I have not owned one but that is what I have read. I agree with the too much bioload too fast but most people I think do that. You should have waited untill your nitrates and nitrites were zero and added fish slowly. 1 at a time . Personaly I would take out the decorations and add some more live rock.

 

[razpufteef]

Originally Posted by sethw
OK, Wow, Cool tank. I really love the Clown and the Anenome. I have a yellow-tailed Blue damsel, how is yours temper? Valentini Puffers are SOOO cool, vut i cant get one yet......
the yellow tail purple damsel is one of the fish about to revist the LSF! He thinks he's the king of damsels. Its nice to have some other fish bigger with bolder presence than him. He can only pick on my other two damsels, the puffer and clown put him in his place! My other two are perfect additions!

 

[razpufteef]

Originally Posted by lomar
From what I have read your puffer will probly eat your expensive cleaner shrimp and your snails over time. They have to wear down their teeth. I have not owned one but that is what I have read. I agree with the too much bioload too fast but most people I think do that. You should have waited untill your nitrates and nitrites were zero and added fish slowly. 1 at a time . Personaly I would take out the decorations and add some more live rock.
Lomar, you are absolutely correct. My LFS told me that it really depends on the fish, and how much food it has. 50/50> I have read this will happen with any other puffer, and if this was the situation i wouldn't have anymore shrimp. My expensive cleaner shrimp would deff make a nice meal for my vpuffer, but considering the puffer is fairly small, and shrimp are bigger than him right now i dont think this is an issue. They do try and clean him though! My shrimp will actually fight the vpuffer for food when i feed them!!!! When the vpuffer gets upset, he deffintely lets them know, but as long as he gets his share it seems he is happy!
The decorations, i'm going to see in the next week or so if my nitrates rise above 15, then i will consider removing the deco's and adding more LR. I'm thinking to add some more anyways even at 15 or 0. I'm going to wait this one out until i see it necessary.
Thanks for your response!

 

[razpufteef]

Originally Posted by jacrmill
I think what threw up a red flag to Puffer 32 was the amount of fish in a 29 gallon tank that is not quite 6 weeks old. I would be scared to add that many fish and an anemone to that small of a system that is that young. I would just be scared that his bioload could not be supported yet. Maybe the fish should have been added more gradually. But it looks nice, and I wish you the best of luck.
I agree, i deffintely jumped the gun a little, and should havre waited longer. This is why i posted this, to get some responses and opinions. Although, following my water cycle and doing mulitiple tests along with my growing intrest in the hobby drove me to this point. Well have to see what happens in the next two weeks! I will be removing two fish in the next 3 days, and buying maybe 3-5 lbs of live rock.
thanks for your response!

 

[stanlalee]

a) I dont think the lighting is that bad for a BTA (time will tell). 64 watts over a biocube isn't as bad as it sounds on paper. Hell I had xenia sprouting out of virtual nothing under 18watts of pc in a 10g which is the same length and just a little shallower. Rocks/Aquascaping so it can go higher up is all you probably need to do.
b) on paper its enough room for a toby puffer but I wouldn't put one in a 20" long tank. 30"+ tank I might. yours doesn't seem to be but about 2". once it gets to full size (4-5") it will be cramped (as will the gold stripe maroon clown who will get nastier than they already get in a tank that size with fish that small).
c)at the six week mark you shouldn't have nearly that much livestock. moving at a safe pace you should probably only have the two blue damsels in it at this point.
d) the blue head wrass is going to eat your inverts (and possibly the puffer if it feels they are small enough to munch on). likes WAYYYYY more swimming room than 20" but you figured that out just by how fast he swims back and forth (you could have visited a local pet store and observed any simular shaped wrasse and came to that conclusion). He may also terrorize the other tank members.
e)dispite the hiccups and fake decor it looks suprisingly attractive! your definately going to have to research your livestock compatibility in the future. Your invert list is like a good lunch for some of your livestock choices.

 

[razpufteef]

Originally Posted by Stanlalee
a) I dont think the lighting is that bad for a BTA (time will tell). 64 watts over a biocube isn't as bad as it sounds on paper. Hell I had xenia sprouting out of virtual nothing under 18watts of pc in a 10g which is the same length and just a little shallower. Rocks/Aquascaping so it can go higher up is all you probably need to do.
b) on paper its enough room for a toby puffer but I wouldn't put one in a 20" long tank. 30"+ tank I might. yours doesn't seem to be but about 2". once it gets to full size (4-5") it will be cramped (as will the gold stripe maroon clown who will get nastier than they already get in a tank that size with fish that small).
c)at the six week mark you shouldn't have nearly that much livestock. moving at a safe pace you should probably only have the two blue damsels in it at this point.
d) the blue head wrass is going to eat your inverts (and possibly the puffer if it feels they are small enough to munch on). likes WAYYYYY more swimming room than 20" but you figured that out just by how fast he swims back and forth (you could have visited a local pet store and observed any simular shaped wrasse and came to that conclusion). He may also terrorize the other tank members.
e)dispite the hiccups and fake decor it looks suprisingly attractive! your definately going to have to research your livestock compatibility in the future. Your invert list is like a good lunch for some of your livestock choices.
I found the wrasse a better home and i will be taking back one damsel tomorrow in exchange for some live rock.
Thanks for your feedback!