Keeping the wife happy

[russell]

Hi all.
Well I keep and breed discus. the wife wants a marine tank. I kept marines many years ago and have set up a 48x15x14 tank. it has a jewel fitted filter which runs great also an eheim and power heads. the trouble is she wants a fish/ coral tank. I have agreed to a couple of clowns with anenome. some living rock. what fish can she add that will not harm soft corals.

 

[Navarre]

Anemones needs far more than you currently have. Metal halides are really important for an Anemones health.

Clowns do not need Anemones to livein, they will hapily live in a number of long polyped soft corals. I have Pulsing Xenia, Sarcphytons and even macro algeas that my clowns have taken residence in over a period of time.

As for things that can be added that wont harm corals.. Dont add Butterflys (perhaps a copperband will be ok), Large angels eat polyps but most dwarves are safe... no more than the occasional nip.

Dwarf angels safe (mostly)
Gobies: safe
Royal grammas (safe)
Anthias: Safe
Chromis: safe
6 line wrasse: Safe


Whilst the above fish hav been labelled as safe, there is simply no gaurentee that they will never touch your corals. Its possible that you will get a fish that simply hasnt read the rule book

Under normal marine lighting (standard marine flourescent tubes) i would recomend Zooanthid polyps (be aware of their toxins and never touch them with broken skin). Sarcophyton mushrooms, Mushroom polyps. If you adopt a stronger light like T5s then i would say that most soft corals are available to you.

 

[ostrow]

To do waht you want read the pinned articles at the top of the marine forum, written by GL, and follow the directions all the way to a reef setup. No shortcuts allowed. If you want anemones, then you are setting up a reef with all the lighting, live rock, skimmer, etc...

Who will be taking care of this tank? If it is you, and you are not enthused about it (you see not to be) save your money and your (and her) frustration and disappointment.

If it is she, the first step is to read, and read a lot.