help stocking 12g nano

bored4long · #1 12/26/2007, 01:47 PM

I've had a 50 gallon tank + 20 gallon sump in my garage with about 100 lbs of LR and some softy frags on it for several months now, but just now got my 12g nano setup in my house on Christmas Eve. I guess this officially marks the start of my Reefing Days! Yay for me!

The 12g AQ currently has a single rock (8-10 lbs) with several zoa, mushroom, ric and zenia frags on it. The tank also houses one snail of unknown type and a large Hawaiian feather duster. Circulation is a MJ900 + Hydor rotator. Lighting is a 70 watt Sunpod. Filtration is water changes and the live rock. I will probably add Cheato and maybe some filter floss to the back .

I would like to add 1 or 2 fish plus a shrimp to it. Please help me decide which fish and shrimp to add.

I was thinking an ocelaris or b/w clown and a firefish. I'm not sure if that tank is big enough for both. A YWG has also been recommended, but sound like they are too big to also allow a second fish. I'm primarily just looking for something colorful and fun to watch.

I'd also like to add a shrimp, but have no idea which to add. Please suggest.

If it matters, the livestock will be purchased from YR. I've been window shopping at John's for months and am really excited to actually start spending some $$ there. Its my honor to help support his amazing store.

Thanks.

rafael13 · #2 12/26/2007, 01:53 PM

get the black clowns from YR

edsimmons · #3 12/26/2007, 02:00 PM

Vlamingi tang

or a ORA Neon goby and small Skunk cleaner.

;-)

petes97 · #4 12/26/2007, 02:13 PM

You should get a nice big 6" tang...

I have a yellow clown goby in my 10g nano. Nice sized and fun to watch. I think I saw a few at YR last weekend.

bored4long · #5 12/26/2007, 02:34 PM

Well, I want that beautiful Sohal Tang in my 12g that John has in his display, but he won't sell it to me.

Could I squeeze a Neon Goby, O.Clown, and Skunk Cleaner in the 12g?

edsimmons · #6 12/26/2007, 02:52 PM

I'd skip the clown.

*but that's just me*

petes97 · #7 12/26/2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bored4long
Could I squeeze a Neon Goby, O.Clown, and Skunk Cleaner in the 12g?

Provided they are all small, yes. I would bet that the clown and cleaner will outgrow it in a year, if not sooner. You could try a peppermint shrimp, from my experience they tend to be smaller and slower growing than skunk cleaners. I would make sure you have enough live rock to filter. Also, I would recommend skimming if you can. I ran my 10g for a few months without a skimmer and it has had some problems. I just picked up a rio nano skimmer from John and it has been pulling nicely the last few days.

funman1 · #8 12/26/2007, 03:24 PM

I think you'd be fine with a Neon Goby, a pair of clowns, and a Cleaner.
I've had mine in my nanos for over 2 years.
Any they are just fine..

Also my first nano has been running for 2.5 years with no major problems and no skimmer. I do a 80%-90% water change EACH week, on the nanos.

bored4long · #9 12/26/2007, 03:53 PM

wow, that's a lot of water! How do you change so much out at one time, Steve?

I hope to avoid having to add a HOB skimmer for the nano. I'll wait and see.

petes97 · #10 12/26/2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by funman1
Also my first nano has been running for 2.5 years with no major problems and no skimmer. I do a 80%-90% water change EACH week, on the nanos.

I'm a bit more lazy. I don't vacuum the sand and I do about a 20% water change every 2-3 weeks. The skimmer seems to be helping me.

Mikey Donuts · #11 12/26/2007, 07:33 PM

Try a tailspot blenny. Very beautiful fish that's always swimming in the water column. Tons of character as well. I got mine from liveaquaria.com

funman1 · #12 12/26/2007, 08:28 PM

I just make up a 5G bucket of new water,
drain the back of the nano into an empty 5g bucket,
then drain the main tank till my 5G bucket is full.
I scrape the glass when the water is low too.

Then just add new water back in from the other 5G bucket.

And clean the sponge filter.

Done...
I don't vacuum the sand either...

bored4long · #13 12/27/2007, 03:07 AM

I stopped by YR after work and didn't find anything I wanted. They were out of cleaner shrimp, so I'll have to wait for his next shipment.

He does have a bunch of Rainford's (Red Line) Gobies. I'm tempted to get one of them for the 12g. My greatest conern, though, is that they get most their food from sifting the sand and my sandbed is new. Would it be a mistake to get one of these or can it live on prepared food?