Feeding methods - Questions

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SeanH

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Small Tank Inhabitants and Feeding methods - Questions

Hi all

A few questions if i may - though i am probably 4-8 weeks ahead of putting ANY sort of living creature I have been wondering about a few things:

I would like to keep a couple of Clowns, a couple of Regal Tang (for the Dorey and Nemo effted for my daughter), some different goby(?) some corel, maybe an anemone or two LATER, obviolusy some good LR and CUC (shrimp, crabs(s), snails etc)

Tank is 500x500x400. (will post some pics BUT it is also here E.R`s new 500 x 500 x 400 cube build... - Marine Aquariums of South Africa

I would like all the inhabitants to "get along" lol

BUT the main reason for this thread is how does one go about feeding all these different inhabitants considering their specific needs? Is it a case of stopping any sort of water turbulance and feeding fish then corals etc OR is there a food that basically feeds all - in terms of it is floating around in the water so the corals wiould get etc etc and the CUC will sort out the debris?

I have looked for sufficient info in threads and only really find a good thread on Anemone and lots of little tid bits that either conflict or "jump around" and no real consensus - not necessarily on this forum :)

Thanks in advance.

OH and feel free to suggest a nice stock plan that are compatible.

:thumbup:
 
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Hi SeanH


I wont attempt to answer all of your questions, it's going to take a bit more time by you to research more on the basics of reefkeeping but here are some thoughts from my side.

This is a nice size tank, it's small enough to not be too expensive on maintanance but still gives you some nice stocking options.

In terms of feeding, as a start you could get a variety of flake and pellet foods and feed twice a day, not too much, just enough for the fish to consume within a minute or so. It works best to stop any flow pumps during feeding to give all the fish time to eat, some fish struggle to get their fair share of food if flow is too much during feeding.

It will probably be best to start with easier to keep corals such as softies, things like mushrooms, different types of polyps, leathers etc.

Most of these corals do not require specific feeding, what's in the water from the fish waste should be sufficient as a start. What lighting do you have?

In terms of stocking it's important to give the tank time to complete the cycling process, your suggested 4-8 weeks is a nice start.

For stocking the Clown idea is very nice, they will be happy in that size tank, perhaps along with a smaller type of Goby, a hermit crab or two, perhaps also a cleaner shrimp.

The tank is definately too small for a Regal, espcecially a pair of Regals. They grow very large and need plenty of swimming space. You will find a number of threads on suggested fish for smaller tanks, perhaps @belindamotion can suggest a couple of nice threads that you can read up on.

Anemones are not easy to keep, you also need an established and stable tank for them, you as the reefer also need enough experience to be ale to identify any issues that you might encounter, it's thus suggested you wait a good couple of months before going down that road.

It looks like you bought a system from another reefer, what are your plans for filtration?

Good luck and enjoy it!
 
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SeanH, you need to rethink the idea of putting a couple of Regal tangs in a 100L system. Assuming they are very small when you first buy them, they will outgrow the system within 2-3 months.

Rather research suitable nano fish if you want to maintain healthy livestock for an extended period of time
 
AfricaOffroad said:
SeanH, you need to rethink the idea of putting a couple of Regal tangs in a 100L system. Assuming they are very small when you first buy them, they will outgrow the system within 2-3 months.

Rather research suitable nano fish if you want to maintain healthy livestock for an extended period of time
Click to expand...
Yeah lol already scratched off the list ;) Thanks AfricaOffroad. :biggrin:
 
Thanks for the response Jayceew - the Regals i have scratched off the list. Clowns are in ;) I am buying the tank from Wilton and he has other tanks. This hasn't had any stock in or even filled with water. More in the filtration here E.R`s new 500 x 500 x 400 cube build... - Marine Aquariums of South Africa but I will chat with him tonight when he delivers the tank about what media to use based on my plan for the tank. The ligting is currently 150w MH and moonligting by LED. I believe it was going to be a frag tank. Pump is 5000l p/h and skimmer is rated 4x required for this size.

My plan for an anemone is probably still 12 mionths away. My kids are VERY small so there is no rush to get something going by next month :lol:

I am close to Idol MArine and regularly go to Boksburg so Exotic is also an option for purchase and my cousin also is in Marine though i think he has/had an 8ft marine - spent like 60 or 70k on it pfffffff BUT NOW he is married with a baby hahaha

Maybe in a few years and if i have a nice new house with more practical layout I will go 6ft.
Jayceew said:
Hi SeanH


I wont attempt to answer all of your questions, it's going to take a bit more time by you to research more on the basics of reefkeeping but here are some thoughts from my side.

This is a nice size tank, it's small enough to not be too expensive on maintanance but still gives you some nice stocking options.

In terms of feeding, as a start you could get a variety of flake and pellet foods and feed twice a day, not too much, just enough for the fish to consume within a minute or so. It works best to stop any flow pumps during feeding to give all the fish time to eat, some fish struggle to get their fair share of food if flow is too much during feeding.

It will probably be best to start with easier to keep corals such as softies, things like mushrooms, different types of polyps, leathers etc.

Most of these corals do not require specific feeding, what's in the water from the fish waste should be sufficient as a start. What lighting do you have?

In terms of stocking it's important to give the tank time to complete the cycling process, your suggested 4-8 weeks is a nice start.

For stocking the Clown idea is very nice, they will be happy in that size tank, perhaps along with a smaller type of Goby, a hermit crab or two, perhaps also a cleaner shrimp.

The tank is definately too small for a Regal, espcecially a pair of Regals. They grow very large and need plenty of swimming space. You will find a number of threads on suggested fish for smaller tanks, perhaps @belindamotion can suggest a couple of nice threads that you can read up on.

Anemones are not easy to keep, you also need an established and stable tank for them, you as the reefer also need enough experience to be ale to identify any issues that you might encounter, it's thus suggested you wait a good couple of months before going down that road.

It looks like you bought a system from another reefer, what are your plans for filtration?

Good luck and enjoy it!
Click to expand...
 
SeanH said:
Thanks for the response Jayceew - the Regals i have scratched off the list. Clowns are in ;) I am buying the tank from Wilton and he has other tanks. This hasn't had any stock in or even filled with water. More in the filtration here E.R`s new 500 x 500 x 400 cube build... - Marine Aquariums of South Africa but I will chat with him tonight when he delivers the tank about what media to use based on my plan for the tank. The ligting is currently 150w MH and moonligting by LED. I believe it was going to be a frag tank. Pump is 5000l p/h and skimmer is rated 4x required for this size.

My plan for an anemone is probably still 12 mionths away. My kids are VERY small so there is no rush to get something going by next month :lol:

I am close to Idol MArine and regularly go to Boksburg so Exotic is also an option for purchase and my cousin also is in Marine though i think he has/had an 8ft marine - spent like 60 or 70k on it pfffffff BUT NOW he is married with a baby hahaha

Maybe in a few years and if i have a nice new house with more practical layout I will go 6ft.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, seems like you also have enough support around you, enjoy.
 
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