24 gallon aquapod stocking questions

[schoch79]

Ok., so I just set up my tank and I am familiar with the rules and procedures of starting/maintaining an aquarium. That being said as stated in the title the tank is a 24 gal. aquapod. I know I want two occelaris clowns but was also considering one or two firefish, and/or one of the following diamond watchman goby, yellow watchman goby, court jester goby(never seen these at lfs's around here), or a saifin blenny. I was immediately swayed from the sailfin when I saw how they were larger than the rest but I really don't know. Can someone please give their input on this. Thanks in advance.

[Aquarist007]

It can be a problem adding more then one blennie to that size of tank

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=23

[Aquarist007]

3 or 4 blue green chromies would be nice and they would school together as would 3 or 4 bangi cardinals

[schoch79]

Understood but thank you. The intent was one of any of the fish at the end plus definately the two clowns and possibly one or two of the firefish.

[schoch79]

I think the biggest concern of mine, especially noting the fish that you suggested is the bioload. Keep in mind this is only a 24 gallon tank. I am pretty set on the two clowns but just need advice on whether 1-2 firefish and any of the listed blennies/gobies would be appropriate in that size tank.

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11815985#post11815985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by schoch79
Understood but thank you. The intent was one of any of the fish at the end plus definately the two clowns and possibly one or two of the firefish.

the clowns and the firefish great and one or two bleenies max--if you have lots of rock cover
I love my sailfin blennie and so do my grandkids--they think it is a t-rex when it puffs up the sail(dorsal) fin

[schoch79]

You don't think that is too much bioload? I was afraid I was pushing it with just the clowns. I just don't want to make a mistake that is so easy to avoid.

[schoch79]

BTW I really appreciate your help with this. And such quick replies too.

[Norward]

I think your plan is sound. 24g should handle 2 of the smaller clown species, a firefish and a blenny. A protein skimmer will help immensely with the bio-load. Do an internet search for "lgreen's ultimate nano-reef stocking guide" for a solid reference. Good luck!

[schoch79]

Well, as said above thanks lots. I really do appreciate the advice. This has helped to relax me a little because I would like the diversity of fish in there but most of all want a healthy tank.

[schoch79]

Hmm, how do I save it to my browser?

[Savas]

I use the 6 gallons per small fish rule to for all my nanos.

Plus get rid of your bioballs and sponge filters and replace them with live rock rubble.

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11816030#post11816030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by schoch79
You don't think that is too much bioload? I was afraid I was pushing it with just the clowns. I just don't want to make a mistake that is so easy to avoid.

if you have 25 lbs of live rock and a sand bed then you will be fine with that bioload

[Savas]

I agree with Capn, but I usually do...

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11820195#post11820195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Savas
I use the 6 gallons per small fish rule to for all my nanos.



I used to believe in the rule and even post that rule--but not anymore. With knowledge of live rock and sand beds being the best biological filtration there is and protein skimmers, refugiums phosban and carbon reactors---they have raised the bar in that concept.
So know it becomes a matter of fish husbandry--what species are reef safe, which get along with each other, which are territoria, which need lots of swimming room ete ect.

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11820195#post11820195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Savas

Plus get rid of your bioballs and sponge filters and replace them with live rock rubble. [/B]

Excellent point but--------
I did not see any mention of the filtration system and tank flow
how much live rock etc

What are these parameters schoch ??

[Savas]

They key here is "nanos" - assuming no skimmer, reactor, etc..., just an all-in-one nano. With a 50 gallo sump on a nano you could keep a much larger bio-load than a standard tank.

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11820350#post11820350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Savas
They key here is "nanos" - assuming no skimmer, reactor, etc..., just an all-in-one nano. With a 50 gallo sump on a nano you could keep a much larger bio-load than a standard tank.

:lol: :lol:

right on thanks savas

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11820350#post11820350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Savas
They key here is "nanos" - assuming no skimmer, reactor, etc..., just an all-in-one nano. With a 50 gallo sump on a nano you could keep a much larger bio-load than a standard tank.

in these nanos--do you still go by one pound of live rock per gallon?

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11820311#post11820311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Savas
I agree with Capn, but I usually do...

I didn't see this one till now---gee talk to my wife will you:lol:

[Savas]

Yes, although I usually stock less live rock, about 18 pounds, in my AP24 and assume I'll get the remaining 6 pounds as base on my corals. I have about 6 pounds of rock as my filter material - SK8r finally convinced me to remove the man-made filters.

[Fun $ Pit]

You have a nano right? Lets look at nano-sized fish. :D

My personal favorite for this setup are the neon nano gobies.

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11820515#post11820515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Savas
Yes, although I usually stock less live rock, about 18 pounds, in my AP24 and assume I'll get the remaining 6 pounds as base on my corals. I have about 6 pounds of rock as my filter material - SK8r finally convinced me to remove the man-made filters.

sk8r is definetly the right guy to listen to--but we are talking nanos here right
I wouldn't want to remove my protein skimmer despite my refugium and possible mangroves and mud

[schoch79]

Well, to answer some questions first thing I did was ditch all of the filtration media that came with it. I now have the right hand compartment half filled with rubble and am leaving the top half to use carbon and/or a phosphate adsorber. In the main part of the tank I have about 25-30 lbs of live rock. I have no skimmer due to the nature of the aquapods design and have no sump or phosban reactors and the such. My intented tank flow will be the stock pump(I know I should upgrade to a maxijet) and a maxi 400 in the display. My plans aside from fish will be soft corals so I don't want to use too much flow. Um, I think that about covers it. I really appreciate all the input guys. Thanks a lot.

[rlm2005]

I have a 24 Nanocube and a 24 Aquapod and run both without skimmers. I had a fission skimmer on the Nanocube a couple of years ago, it was junk and ended up in the trash. The key is regular water changes and good flow. My Nanocube has been up and running for over 3 years now, parameters are 0's across the board. Both tanks have a pair of clowns and various inverts and soft corals. My Aquapod also has a Royal Gramma as well as the clowns.