Placing Coral, Chris' go  6/19/07 I have a 30 gallon tank with two ocellaris clowns, Kole tang , flame angel, two hermit crabs, a Condy anemone, and a green bulb anemone. <Both the tang and angel are inappropriate for this sized tank.> Today I got a small Caulastrea furcata (candy cane metallic green coral), <unwise to mix anemones and corals in this sized tank, unlikely both will survive long term.> I have two pieces of live rock in the middle of my tank, and just normal rock on either side of the tank. My question is, do I put the small piece of coral on the live rock or on the normal rock. <Either place, as long as the lighting and water flow is equivalent.> I will include pictures of the coral and the tank. Thank you very much. <Welcome> <Chris> Overcrowded mis-stocked small SW time bomb, RMF's bombast    – 06/19/07 I have a 30 gallon tank with two ocellaris clowns, <These look good> Kole tang, flame angel, <Not enough room for either of these> two hermit crabs, a Condy anemone, and a green bulb anemone. <Need to not be here period> Today I got a small Caulastrea furcata (candy cane metallic green coral), i have two pieces of live rock in the middle of my tank, and just normal rock on either side of the tank. My question is, do I put the small piece of coral on the live rock or pn the normal rock. I will include pictures of the coral and the tank. Thank you very much. <Mmm, please take a look/read re each of these species... posted on WWM... re their Systems, Compatibility. Learn to/use the indices, search tool. Bob Fenner>

Can we all get along? Can we read, follow instructions? Incomp. cnid. mix, in a 3 gal...    6/16/07
Hello wonderful, wonderful, www! Joe here in good ol Steeler town! Gotta question, lookin for an answer. I have a 3 gallon pico (I know, I know very tiny) that has been up for about 5 mths. Water parameters are: phos 0, nitrite 0 , nitrate 0, Cal 350-400, alk 10-11, sg 1.026 and temp 80. I have 5 mushrooms, pulsing xenia, anthelia, green button polyps, 3 Zoa frags and 2 Monti caps frags. The Monti are high as possible and under the return of my AquaClear 20. Also using the stock filter (40 gph). All are under a 18 watt 50/50 6700 and 10000 k bulb and a 18 watt 420/460 50/50 bulb. First question is do you think the Monti will grow?
<Not for long>
I know not the best light for it. Second question are all these corals compatible with each other?
<Not in the least>
Thanks and happy reefing! Joe
<Try a look, read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm
The various articles on the groups of organisms you list... Their Systems, Compatibility FAQs files... BobF>

Opinion of the Red Sea Max Reef System, Sm. SW maint.    6/13/07
Crew:
<Sarah>
I am totally new to the saltwater world, but had successful freshwater systems in the past. I wanted to know your opinion(s) of the Red Sea Max "Plug and Play" Reef System for beginners. Knowing that you are all likely (and deservedly) to be purists, please remember that the key word is beginners.
<Understood... and for browsers, here's a fave desc. of this system: http://www.norbreck-aquatics.co.uk/max.shtml
Appears to be a good, serviceable unit all the way around>
I purchased a Max a month ago, and have, so far, knock on wood and saltwater, had a wonderful experience with it. I am interested to know if I am in the minority, majority, or all alone, in this opinion. My 34 gal aquarium cycled quickly (with 3-4" substrate and 30 lbs live rock) and I now have (and do not see any reason to add more any time soon) 3 fish (royal Gramma, pygmy angel, maroon clown),
<This last will likely prove to be trouble in time in this small volume... incompatibly territorial>
5 corals (2 polyps, a xenia, a torch and flowerpot),
<And these... should be investigated on WWM... the last will likely perish soon... perhaps causing trouble for your other livestock>
a fire shrimp (who just shed - freaked me out - I found the molted shell and thought he'd died! - he's fine, just taking a little time to come out from his rock cave as he's probably still a bit soft), a brittle star, buncha hermits, buncha snails. I just intro'd a gorgeous BTA 2 days ago,
<... misplaced here. I would NOT mix an anemone with Stony Corals in such a new, small volume...>
as I had a very unhappy little maroon clown, and the two were inseparable within 10 minutes. The BTA had settled in to a lovely rocky crevasse within 2 hours.
<... Do keep your eye on this...>
The ease and simplicity of this system has quickly addicted me to the saltwater world - watching my aquarium is now my favorite form of procrastination.
Is this a good thing?... I think so.
<I agree... though I do wish there was a requisite, concomitant "education" that went with such purchases (dream on... I live in this world...)... As it is too easy to "get into trouble" even with the most complete, simple set-ups in our interest. Here you have some real stocking issues...>
Are there any things to watch for to tip me off that something is not right?
<Mmm, yes. The best/foremost, your keen observation... Coupled with useful knowledge (again, please do read re the Systems, Compatibility... of the life you list... AND any that you intend to add going forward... AHEAD of its/their acquisition...>
Am I just freakishly lucky (reading some of your articles about WWMers who beat their heads on their tanks for 2 years to get a BTA to settle in, etc.),
or is the Max the reason all has gone well?
<Does appear to be a relatively complete, well-thought out product... And you are to be given credit (along with your stockist/LFS for careful screening of specimens, passion-enough to investigate, take care...>
I'm glad to have found your site, and look forward in the future to success
through research, rather than success through luck!
Sarah
<I too am hopeful for this... Keep a keen eye on your livestock... water quality testing... and regular maintenance/water changes... and we'll be chatting. Bob Fenner>

Which Fishes To Go With My Sixline Wrasse In A 40-Gallon Reef?...Not Many – 06/12/07
Dear Crew,
<<Hello Eric>>
I'm currently in the process of putting together a 40-gallon Breeder reef tank, with a 20-gallon long for a sump. At this point, I have a 20-gallon tall tank with just two fish: a six-line wrasse and an ocellaris clownfish.
<<Mmm, yes...time for a larger system>>
I'd love to add a couple of additional specimens to my larger tank and have my eye on a few different wrasses.
<<Will be a problem...with the Pseudocheilinus>>
I love flasher wrasses, and particularly the McCosker's and Blue Flasher Fairy wrasses.
<<Indeed...wonderful little fishes>>
I also love the Canary wrasse.
<< Halichoeres chrysus? A wonderful aquarium species...but needs a bigger tank than this>>
Would any of these species be able to cohabitate with my six-line in the 40-gallon tank?
<<The Canary Wrasse would likely be able to “cohabitate” with the Sixline, but needs a larger system as stated. As for the Fairy or Flasher Wrasses, it is VERY likely they will be killed by the Sixline...I have seen this first-hand. Pseudocheilinus species are very territorial and very aggressive toward smaller tankmates...quite nasty little fishes really>>
Or would quarters be a bit cramped for more than one wrasse?
<<The 40g breeder is really too small to try to mix other wrasse species with the Sixline. You might try a pugnacious Cardinal such as the Banggai, being sure to place this in the new tank ahead of the Wrasse and Clownfish>>
My current plans include introducing a firefish into this tank, as I really do love them.
<<Mmm, another poor choice to go with the Sixline and the Clownfish. These sweet-tempered (conspecifics aside) and bashful fishes do very poorly in tanks with boisterous and/or aggressive tankmates. They will succumb to stress...or often slowly starve to death from being too “frightened” to feed properly>>
If none of these species would mix well with my six-line wrasse and/or my clownfish, what other species would you recommend that could add some color to my tank without stirring up trouble?
<<As stated, possibly a Cardinal or two...that Sixline really limits your options, in my opinion>>
I've looked into a yellow-headed goby, but am not interested in maintaining a deep sand bed in my display tank.
<<Do best in a species specific system>>
And I understand that blennies tend to nip at corals.
<<Many do, yes>>
Thanks so much for your help, in advance!
Regards,
Eric
<<Mmm, don’t know that I’ve done much other than pooh-pooh your fish choices here. If the Sixline and the Clownfish are important to you then I don’t see many options. If they are not, then consider trading them in for store credit and research some small “community” fishes to occupy this small reef system. A handful (5) of Longspine Cardinals (Apogon leptacanthus) would look dandy in a small, well-kept reef such as you plan. Eric Russell>>

14g BioCube stocking question 6/9/07
HI all, a quick question...
<Hi>
I have a 14g BioCube with about 14-16 lbs. of live rock, 1" of finely crushed coral substrate, various corals, and a blood shrimp. Also residents in the
tank are a 1.25" True Percula Clown and a 1.5" Purple Orchid Dottyback...
Both of these are fairly aggressive species and mine are certainly not angels even given their smaller sizes and young age. <This may prove to be too much as they mature, watch for damage to one or both fish.> I was simply wondering what would be another good fish to possibly put in the tank that can handle the Perc and the DB and still remain under or about 3" at full maturity? <Nothing in this sized tank.> Or is this even a good idea given the small volume of water the tank holds? <Is not in my opinion.> This would be the last fish I introduce to the tank. Thanks in advance for the help.
--
Chris
<Adding another fish here is going to be trouble, the tank is just too small and the current inhabitants just too aggressive.>
<Chris>

Zoanthid Health Issues/Coral Compatibility – 6/8/07
Hey guys. I don't want to take up too much of your time with what would seem like a relatively easy question to answer. I have a 10 gallon nano - reef aquarium which has been set up for several months. I am utilizing a 200 GPH Marineland Bio Wheel Filter, 40 Watt PC 10,000K/Actinic light fixture, and an additional self-rotating powerhead for additional circulation. Water parameters are as follows:
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-testing @ around 0 ppm
SG-1.023 <This is not bad, but we usually recommend 1.025-1.026 to mirror the sea.>
Temp-78
I have been adding several corals over the past several months, and trying to avoid a "coral garden." <Me too!> I initially added 3 Hairy Mushroom Polyps and some Green Star Polyps, and Yellow Polyps. Later I added a small 3 head Frogspawn, and several colonies of Zoanthids, all of which did very well initially.
Just last week, I was virtually given a beautiful Xenia elongata, which I placed
high on the left corner of the tank in order to give it substantial room. <Xenia is so cool!>
The Xenia is already attaching and slowly spreading in the strong current, but now there seems to be a problem with my largest Zoanthid colony, which is relatively close to the Xenia and is now almost half closed. <Hmmm.> Everything else in the aquarium is doing very well, including the 2 other Zoanthid colonies. I didn't think that Xenia was very aggressive in terms of detrimental physical contact with other corals, or with chemical secretions, or am I mis-informed? <Xenia does not sting, but does secrete some potentially annoying chemicals. You will see when it is time to prune it, Xenia is very stinky when irritated!!> To be complete, I have 6 red-legged hermit crabs and 1 Citron Goby about 3/4 inch. <Neat!> For all intents and purposes, I consider my tank to be full, and will not be adding anything else. <You get a Gold Star!!> Water changes are 15% every week with RO. <Very nice.>
Thanks so much for your help.
<I would move the Xenia to a spot with less current (less agitation may slow down its secretions – and it pulses more when there is not much current), increase carbon use, and/or increase water changes since you don’t have a skimmer. I find my Zoanthids do best on the other end of the tank (75 g) from the Xenia. 10 g is close quarters. If they don’t perk up with these changes, you may need to remove one or the other. I find the mushrooms are not affected by the Xenia, but the Xenia does not get too close to the mushrooms.>
Scott
<Cheers, Alex>
 

Learning From Experience! Questions regarding nano reef (5.5g AGA): lighting and compatibility - 6/7/07 Dear Scott, <Hi there again!> Thank you for replying with your advice! <You're quite welcome!> I've continued reading the various parts of this website, and I am very impressed and thankful for the work you've all put in; in particular, I am thankful to you for the personal attention I've received: thank you again. <My pleasure. I cannot begin to tell you what a great group we have here at WWM. I had the opportunity to spend time with a number of my fellow crew members for the first time in a year or two at IMAC last weekend in Chicago, and they are absolutely first class folks!> I'd like to first delineate the gradual changes to my aquarium since we corresponded last. A gentleman, via BRS, offered to sell me pieces of live rock containing coral, and I gladly accepted his offer. While my aquarium was in no technical condition to become a home for corals yet, there were compelling factors to the contrary. On May 24, I added live sand and Nutri Seawater purchased from the Aquarium Gallery in Hudson, NH. (As an aside, they are a wonderful group of people: extremely friendly and helpful. I have only praise for them.) <Support your local fish store!> Supposingly, Nutri Seawater is "live water" and should work. I added about 3g into my 5.5g aquarium, and started the mechanical HOB filter. Two days later, I added the LR, which indeed served as homes to various red and blue mushrooms, a candy cane coral, and some unknown coral (the photo of which I have attached). There were also several bristle worms (orange like a caterpillar -- Eurythoe complanata I believe), a small Brittle Star (half the size of a dime perhaps), and a single small shrimp. I took enough water from the seller to fill the remaining volume of my aquarium. I reasoned that my habitat was quite comparable to an established aquarium. <Ouch...> What egregious reasoning... <You said it, but I'm inclined to agree, unfortunately.> In the end, all visible life forms save the brown corals died. <Sorry to hear that! All systems need to cycle...No real shortcuts, IMO> The next day (5/27) the ammonia climbed from 0 to 0.25; all other parameters stayed the same (0 nitrite, 0 nitrate, 7.8 pH, 1.0248 SP). I performed a partial water change, added a half tsp of Ammo-Lock 2, and added some pH 8.2by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. I understand in retrospect that I should have instead, "let it be". <Again, very intuitive of you. You may have acted incorrectly, but you recognized the error. That's a real key to success in the hobby! Good for you!> In any case, by the morning of the fourth day (5/29, 10:05a) the ammonia began a deadly climb to 1 ppm; nitrite was now 0.25 ppm. <Completely normal, really.> I added 1 mL of Stress Zyme, a few more drops of Ammo-Lock 2, and some BioSpira, which might save my corals. <I would have simply removed them and allowed the ammonia and nitrite to peak naturally.> The photo (Photo 1) I have attached was taken earlier today: it has survived. The mushrooms died by day 6. The ammonia level reached its first peak the afternoon of the fourth day (2 ppm). Day 6 and 7 were especially deadly -- with 2 ppm ammonia, 2 ppm nitrite, and 20 ppm nitrate. <That's nature's way...normal cycle in progress...> Strangely, between day 8 and day 9, the nitrate level halved from 20 ppm to 10 ppm. To be sure, I triple-checked with consistent results. Today represents day 13: 0 ammonia, 2 ppm nitrite, 10 ppm nitrate. <Starting to look more like it...> The brown corals (I thought they were brown polyps) seem to be doing better than they were initially. Additionally, pods have appeared quite out of nowhere <Crazy, isn't it? Good to hear!> Strange worms that are orange with black stripes have also made their home here. Would you know what these worms are? <All sorts of possibilities. Could be some form of Errantiate Polychaete or Terebellid worms...No telling without careful study. Most are generally harmless, if not downright beneficial.> I searched WWM; someone posted the same question with a photo, but the answer was a bit general... I was hoping for something a bit more specific, since they do seem quite fascinating. (Photo 2) <Yup- they are. Do a more wide-ranging search on the internet, or perhaps contact an expert, like Dr. Ron Shimek, who could probably get you real close if you supplied a pic or two.> Some other life forms have also appeared out of nowhere. I've attached their photos: 1. The brown coral 2. Red worm with black stripes 3. Seems resembling of a star coral 4. I guessed Aiptasia at first, but the color is hardly the same. In the photo it appears almost brown, but in the aquarium it is quite red. 5. Some sort of tiny fan worm 6. Is it a sort of finger coral, and more importantly, is it still alive? <Cannot really tell from a picture, in many cases. Do you see any type of polyp extension?> Would you please lend some help with identifying them? <regrettably, I could not get these pics to open. If they get pasted up on the Daily page, I'll make it a point to try to ID them and get back to you later...> Thanks very much! Sincerely, Jason C. Wang <Glad to be of service. Sounds like you're learning and growing from your mistakes. You're on route to success! Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Morays in Nano Aquaria? No....... 6/6/07
Hey crew!
<Mike.>
I originally got into this hobby simply because I wanted a moray eel, though to this day I still don't own one (go figure...).
<I was originally drawn in by Elasmobranchs though I've never personally kept one, and don't plan too ever.>
Being as I'm incredibly apprehensive about putting a moray in my reef tank
<Is a risk, not only with predator/prey relationships but also with mishaps/destruction with the rockwork.>
(though I here its possible, I spend enough time picking stuff up that crabs knock over, though I think the eel make take care or them for me...)
<Depends on the eel.>
So I'm curious if there is anything I could keep in a 30inch long tank?
<Eel wise, no.>
I was thinking perhaps a Golden Dwarf, but finding one (and finding on for under $300) seems to be a bigger problem.
<Yea and the tank is too small.>
Is this the only true moray that would stay small enough for my tank (the dimensions of my unused tank are 30x12x20. yes, its pretty small)?
<To small for any morays...>
Thanks
<Anytime.>
Mike
<Adam J.>

NANO Setup - Inverts... Terrible mis-mix in too small volume, iatrogenic problems    6/5/07
Hi :) Sorry this is rather long mail :(
<No worries, take your time...>
I recently (3-4 months ago) started a nano reef.
It started with 1 percula and one cup coral
<Mmm, how big a tank? What species of Dendrophylliid? These are not small animals/colonies... need stability...>
and 1 polyp
<Of what sort? A Clavulariid, Stoloniferan I take it... many of these are too toxic to house with other Cnidarian Classes organisms in small volumes...>
with the sand and liverock.
The polyp disintegrated (heat I guess around 32 degrees C).
The cup coral was happy as I saw him put on a layer around his polyps and would open the polyps fully.
Due to the heat, I kept only 1 actinic on (extended duration) for 2 months.
<... not enough light strength nor quality...>
Last Tuesday I got a chiller and added an LTA
<... no>
and one more clown, a mushroom (all 3 from old tank) and one *new* polyp.
The polyp opened a bit (around 60%) then last night I added one (injured) leather coral
<I know you're not, but I wish you were joking here>
The leather started giving off mucus and I pulled it off in like 10 min.s.
<Too late>
Now the polyps and the cup coral do not open much (around 30% only opens)
I know it was stupid of me to put the injured coral in the tank. But it's base had dissolved into talcum powder types due to the heat in my other tank. So I wanted to save it :((
<...>
Its crown was folded (from many weeks) and some brown color in some areas.
More stupid things, I decided to save the tank and dump the coral as I thought it was dead. Put it in a plastic bag and left it for 6+ hours.
Before disposing it, I looked and saw some polyps extended.
Then I knew it was not dead and am trying to restore it to health.
From last night, I have kept the coral (only crown is left) in a separate bowl and change water every 6 hours. Attached an airpump also for air exchange.
I add red sea coral Gro vitamin 5 ml every water change.
I have loosely rubber banded it to a small piece of live rock to attach to as I did not want to use putty thinking it might add stress.
<Won't, wouldn't work in any case>
The coral crown is folded (was that way for weeks) and was rather rigid when I rubber banded it.
Not at all flaccid like when they are dead.
1. What can I do for the polyps?
2. What can I do for the coral?
<Move all to suitable circumstances...>
HELPPPP please!!
Many thanks In Advance (as always :))
Ranjith
Tank Specifications and parameters
25G
26Kgs liverock
10-12 Kg.s sand from the beach (clean one that's not commercialized and
no dumping)
Lights: 76W total
2 Philips T3 actinic (20W+20W)
1 PL Daylight 36W (don't know Kelvins)
Both are on timers for 15 and 12 hours daily respectively
Circulation:
1 Azoo 1500lph attached to a mini SCWD types
Return flow from the chiller (350Lph)
Water Parameters:
Amonia-0
Nitrate->5ppm
CA-500ppm
Alk-3.2 Meql (wrong spelling I guess)
<No worries. I understand what you're stating, milliequivalents per litre>
Ph-8.0 to 8.2 (stable across night and day)
Temp: 26 degree C +- 1 degree C
Additives:
RedSea Coral Gro vitamin supplement
RedSea Mag + Stron + Molyb + Green + Trace
Kent marine 2 part additive
Food:
RedSea marine Gro
Cyclop eeze
Tetra bits (freshwater one)
Frozen and fresh shrimp for anemone
Livestock are
1 Bi-color blenny
2 Perc clowns
1 LTA
1 Cup Coral
1 Bi color polyps
1 Brown mushroom
1 Grape Caulerpa and sea weed
2 snails
2 small starfish
<This is an unsustainable mix for this volume of water... in particular the Anemone, Ecsenius and Caulerpa... Please... Read on WWM re each of the species listed... make notes re their "Systems", "Compatibility"... this information can be searched for or found by perusing the indices... What you have currently will NOT work... Bob Fenner>

Re: NANO Setup - Inverts, lvstk. sel.  6/6/07
Hi Bob,
Thanks a tonne for the response.
Why do you say "Anemone, Ecsenius and Caulerpa" are unsuitable together?
Anemone might eat the blenny is it?
<Mmm, the Anemone is misplaced here period with the other Cnidarians... it/their negative interaction may toxify the entire system... This is posted over and over...>
But Caulerpa is macro algae. So how will it affect any organism here (unless it goes sexual)
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/caulerpacomp.htm
and the linked files above>
What all are problems in the mix I have?
A firefish is fine here?
<Given sufficient room... See WWM re Microdesmid Systems...>
Will the polyp / pagoda (cup coral) suffer with the anemone?
I want to only keep livestock that will live and grow :(
<I understand...>
The problem in India is that Marine stuff is not very easily available.
So, you have maybe 5 min.s to decide what you want to do when you see an attractive fish/coral. Else its gone or the price doubled.
That is unless you preorder.
<Heeee! Really? Now THAT is a booming economy!>
Can you help me with selecting a few non rare fishes and corals and inverts that will be an ideal mix in my small nano?
<You can help yourself... http://www.wetwebmedia.com/smmarsysstkgfaqs.htm...
All this is archived on WWM...>
Ps: have also added to the mail below for the response you gave and questions you asked.
Cheers
Ranjith
<Thank you for that/this. Please, learn to/use the indices, search tool on WWM. Bob Fenner>