What do I Need (if anything)? *Suggestions please

[schwierp]

I have had my 10 gallon Nano set up for just about 4 months now and took the risk and started small instead of big in order to save money although many told me it would be harder/more risky. The tank is doing great and in the last week or two I've noticed some coraline growth in the back of the tank...now I want it to explode with growth!
Here is what I have the tank stocked with. Please let me know what I might be missing or what I should add if anything. I'd really like to top if off with a Percula or two if I could.
I'd guess 20lbs of LR
2-3" LS in show and 3-4" in back refugium
2 20w PC Florescents
1 Nassarius Snail
2 Funnel Turbo Snail
1 Turbo Astrea Snail
1 Emerald Crab
3 Blue Leg hermit
1 Zebra hermit
1 Red Leg Hermit
1 Queen Conch
1 Sand Sifting Star
1 Purple Pseudochromis
1 Yellow Gorgonian
1 Blue Mushroom
1 Green Ricordia Polyp
~5-6 Brownish/Purple Mushrooms
1 Powerhead along with my input tube that has drilled holes the length of the tube that helps circulate water.
**Is there anything else that experienced SW hobbyist feel I need to improve my tank and I'd really like to get another fish to bring the fish total to 2...would a percula work?
THANKS!!!

 

[schwierp]

Forgot about my VERY small pencil urchin and Horeshoe Crab

 

[toughguy80]

I believe horseshoe crab and sand shiftin star will starve over time. They need LARGE tanks to get the proper nutrition from the sand bed. They will quickly deplete a 10G. Also the Horseshoe crab will get large(1' or larger ). Queen conch will also get a decent size and will outgrow a 10G and also needs a fertile sandbed to live. I'd only get the clowns if you are willing to sacrifice the Pseudochromis. Or maybe just go with 1 clown(any but maroon they get large). Corals look good for lighting. Biggest problem I'd say you have is all the critters above needing nutrition from the sand bed and it just not being able to supply enough for all of them.

 

[schwierp]

Tough Guy--The horeshoe crab may have just left the tank unless its the molt that my pencil urchin currently has trapped under itself between two pieces of large rock. I'm not sure yet whether it is the live crab or the molted part. Realized yesterday that I hadnt seen the Sifting Star in a couple days...hope he's living happily under the sand bed because he was one of my favorites.
Is there anything I can do to make sure there are enough nutrients in the sand bed for all of them?
Also, what feeds on Pencil Urchin and other animal droppings? I seem to have a higher amount of waste in the back of my tank than I do in the front. The levels are reading fine though.

 

[ophiura]

I agree, the sand sifter and the horseshoe will not survive and if you do still find them, should be returned to the LFS immediately. I also agree with toughguy on the situation with the pseudochromis which are astonishinly aggressive considering their small size. It is one or the other.

 

[sw65galma]

Another person agreeing with all the above...the sandsifter will most likely will just Melt in the sand and you'll never see it again...

 

[toughguy80]

Originally Posted by schwierp
Is there anything I can do to make sure there are enough nutrients in the sand bed for all of them?
Hate to say it but not really. It just simply comes down to volume and/or amount of space and sand you can provide and for the Hcrab and the star it simple isn't enough in the long run. They might last a few more months but that is due to them slowly starving. Hopefully they are both still alive and you'll be able to return them. Oh and if you feel bad, dont. The only reason I knew is because I had a Hcrab in a 29G once when I 1st started and the poor guy didn't make. Then one day I stumbled onto this board, started reading and learned a lot from doing so. Good luck to you, I hope everything works out for ya.

 

[toughguy80]

Originally Posted by ophiura
I also agree with toughguy on the situation with the pseudochromis which are astonishinly aggressive considering their small size. It is one or the other.
LoL, yeah I forgot to mention their aggressiveness. I have one in my 180 aggressive with triggers, tangs, angels and lions and he easily holds his own. Sometimes I see him nip at my niger trigger and chase him off even though the trigger is easily twice his size. So I'd either keep it as is or return him and get clowns. I'd disregard what I said about just 1 clown, that could get ugly, especially with the pseudochromis already established in there.

 

[schwierp]

Thanks...I'll keep an eye on it and talk to the LFS to make sure they do trades. I went to college in Dayton and there was a great SW warehouse there and I havent found anything as good here in Columbus.

 

[schwierp]

Originally Posted by sw65galma
Another person agreeing with all the above...the sandsifter will most likely will just Melt in the sand and you'll never see it again...

What do you mean by Melt? It will just die and dissolve away into the sand or what... Havent seen him out in a day or two so hopefully it didnt already happen. I LOVED watching him.

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by schwierp
What do you mean by Melt? It will just die and dissolve away into the sand or what... Havent seen him out in a day or two so hopefully it didnt already happen. I LOVED watching him.
Effectively, yes. The connective tissue that holds together the "plates" that form the star start to fail, and these plates just disintegrate. In bad cases, entire arms will just fall off and form a pile