Stocking My Marine Tank

[fish-o-fish]

I just needed some advice from other members here..

I am the proud owner of a brand new 22L tank which is specific for Marine/Tropical. I have decided since I already have two tropical tanks to finally set up my dream mini-marine tank.

So I purchased 20L of saltwater (already cycled) from an aquarium shop, which means my tank is now cycling empty for their recommended period of a week, but I will probably leave it 2 weeks just to be safe. I have marine specific sand covering the bottom, thermometer, heater, but so far no decor... as I was told not to put anything in while it is cycling.

Now as far as stocking, this is my plan:

- 3x small Boxfish
- 1x small Clown Fish
- 1x small Blue Tang
- 1x small Coral
- 1x Rock/hiding cave


Now the advice I need is, will these 3 species of fish be suitable together? At the aquarium store I spoke to a specialist and he said that the box fish and small clown fish will be fine together, but I forgot to ask about the Blue Tang.

Also, what else may I need to know? I'm kind of scared cause I love those 3 types of fish and losing them would be awful!

Thanks!!

 

[demasonisrule]

Ok, first off, Welcome to the salty side!

I am assuming you're not using live rock? If not you may run into nutrient problems, if your tank is stocked healthily, which with those fish choices it will be nowhere near to. If my calculations are correct, 22l is about 6 gallons, and the only fish you listed that may be ok is the clown. Box fish are very difficult to keep, and when they die they release toxins, which is sometimes called 'nuking' the tank. The tang can also be tricky to keep because they are VERY prone to ich, and they need a tank at least 6 ft long. Also, if you are keeping live coral be sure that you have very bright lighting (T5's), and that your water is pristine.

TBH, your best bet is to either cut back the stocking to a small goby and some live rock, or get a bigger tank (maybe use the 22l as a sump?). Seeing as you've kept tropical tanks in the past, you probably know that bigger is better when it comes to tanks, especially in marine, considering it's hard to keep a small tank in saltwater, and even experienced reefers have had trouble keeping small tanks healthy and thriving. Usually a good recommended starting size for a marine tank is 20 gallons (about 75l I believe). A tank this size will be forgiving as far as water params go, and you'll have more choices as far as fish go. There is a lot I haven't touched on, but whatever you choose to do, do LOTS of research from places other than your LFS.

 

[fish-o-fish]

Thanks for your reply.. yeah I read that Blue Tangs need a LOT of swimming space so I may leave that out altogether. Would one clown fish and one little box fish be okay together in that space? or would even just 2 small fish in only 22L be pushing it? I do plan on putting live rock in, is it best to do that while the tank is cycling or only when the fish go in?

If I had more space I DEFINITELY would have gotten a far bigger marine tank, but I figured for starters and until I have more room, I'd start with a little one and a small selection of fish. Because I have 2 tropical tanks and a coldwater tank as well.. so space is limited at the moment.

Boxfish are my ABSOLUTE favourites.. would 2 tiny ones of those be okay together then without any other fish until I upgrade my tank in the near future? Because they are the main reason I wanted a marine tank in the first place. I adore them! I did read that they emit toxins when stressed/if they die.. so I do worry about keeping them. If I had a solo Boxfish and it died would the whole tank be tainted?

The tank does have very bright lighting but I was planning on giving coral a miss until I have a much bigger marine tank in the future.

Also, is Boxfish toxin poisonous to humans upon touch? Or only other fish?

 

[seffieuk]

I do plan on putting live rock in, is it best to do that while the tank is cycling or only when the fish go in?

You need the live rock to cycle your tank - the water you have put in is not cycled, its just water!

Boxfish are my ABSOLUTE favourites.. would 2 tiny ones of those be okay together then without any other fish until I upgrade my tank in the near future? Because they are the main reason I wanted a marine tank in the first place. I adore them! I did read that they emit toxins when stressed/if they die.. so I do worry about keeping them. If I had a solo Boxfish and it died would the whole tank be tainted?

No, box fish are not suitable and yes they could kill the whole tank if they died

The tank does have very bright lighting but I was planning on giving coral a miss until I have a much bigger marine tank in the future.

Mushrooms and lower light loving corals should be ok

Seffie x

ps woops, where are my manners

 

[fish-o-fish]

I do plan on putting live rock in, is it best to do that while the tank is cycling or only when the fish go in?

You need the live rock to cycle your tank - the water you have put in is not cycled, its just water!

Boxfish are my ABSOLUTE favourites.. would 2 tiny ones of those be okay together then without any other fish until I upgrade my tank in the near future? Because they are the main reason I wanted a marine tank in the first place. I adore them! I did read that they emit toxins when stressed/if they die.. so I do worry about keeping them. If I had a solo Boxfish and it died would the whole tank be tainted?

No, box fish are not suitable and yes they could kill the whole tank if they died

The tank does have very bright lighting but I was planning on giving coral a miss until I have a much bigger marine tank in the future.

Mushrooms and lower light loving corals should be ok

Seffie x

ps woops, where are my manners

Thanks so much for your response!! I will get on to putting the rock in my tank A.S.A.P, as I'd like to stock it as soon as I can, but now I'll have to wait a week and a half AFTER I put the rock in, but I'm patient

That's terrible news though, I really want boxfish Maybe I should just get a clown and a blue tang then? At the Aquarium shop they had 2 tiny boxfish & a tiny clown in the same tank..
So they would only poison the tank IF they died?

Would it write-off the entire tank? Or would the toxins wash out quite easily with a water and filter change?

Also, is the toxin harmful to humans? Say, if I put my arm in the water?

Thanks again!

 

[MrLiam]

They would be in a small tank together as they will be sold on and not in there for ever.

About the tang they need at least a 6foot tank so that's a no no.

 

[demasonisrule]

You could go with one clown and no other fish in the tank, or a better bet would be a small goby, as I said earlier. Look them up, they are actually really interesting and are very fun to watch.

 

[-Nemo-]

Most boxfish get a foot and a half each (45 cm each)... so that is the main problem there. I feel it's too small for a clownfish as well. I would stick with a few gobies/blennies.

 

[Morri]

I am guessing by blue tang you mean a regal tank these are also 14" fish they need the minimum of a 5ft if not bigger

20L is very small for a marine I would not put a clown in it as clowns are better in pairs imo and would need 60L

in a 20L a very small goby is all I would look at 20L will be difficult to keep for a first tank but I guess it can be done small marine tank for a first timer I would say from 125 - 250L

 

[dayzofspeed]

i think someone needs to spend a little time doing some research, the only advice i can give as a newcomer in the marine side is dont rush this, do your research and then research some more, i spent many months finding out as much as i could before finally taking the plunge and i'm still going to take even more time getting set up, research has helped me because as soon as i saw that stock list i was thinking no,no,no, and to me waiting a week and a half isn't showing patience, sounds like wanting to jump in asap. Not trying to put you off but you do need to re consider your options, but keep asking and you will be given all the advice that you need, from what i've observed on this forum they are a helpful bunch if a little
check out aquariumdomain.com and read the fish profiles in the saltwater section, it will give you a heads up on on some popular marine fish, for example I would love a yellow tang but my 55g tank is just way too small so i crossed it of my shopping list and am now looking at alternatives, there are plenty more fish in the sea, so they say.............kevin

 

[fish-o-fish]

Thanks for all your replies

As of right now, my little marine tank is STILL empty (apart from a nice live rock) because I still have yet to decide what fish to put in there After taking all your advice on board I have obviously had to look into different fish.

I just wish I could get a mini seahorse or something.. drug it so it stays small Because I love them, but obviously that is out of the question

Thanks for all your advice guys! Still doing more research before I stock that tank with anything

 

[sorgan]

The dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) would be ok in there but they need some quite special care, if you decide to go for them please make sure you read up on them

As for the other stock - no, just no lol
A blue tang would actually grow to totally fill a tank that size

As before mentioned a small goby would be ok.

 

[clay]

i do not know much about smaller tanks but i think that a firefish goby would probably be good in a tank that size right?

 

[lewiss]

Firefish goby would be ok. Normally a 10 gallon min. Def not a clown though, that is way to small for a clown gobies would be good in a tank that size.

 

[lljdma06]

Hi,

If you are interested in setting up a reef, I'd recommend the following reading... Just finished reading them myself.

If this were my tank, I wouldn't do anything but mobile invertebrates (crabs, snails, shrimps) & easy corals, also called sessile invertibrates. A tank like that is still very exciting to watch and you don't have the added stress of having to balance a small system with a heavier bioload. Just my two cents.