Livestock Thread: Corals - Fish - Invertebrates
Just a little right up of how I normally plan out my tanks. The majority of the tank, If not all my stock fish wise will be smaller and nano species due to the tank size constraints. The aim of this tank is shaped around the notion I've always kept marine tanks. By following 3 different levels of depth and the interaction they play with the eyes aesthetically.
Firstly, middle to high water column swimmers, simple fish like clowns or firegobies add that movement to the water column making it a lot more lively. Due to my tank keeping mainly just 3 corals, SPS, ZOAS and RHODACTIS MORPHS. There isn't very much movement besides the fish. Additionally, rock dwelling fish and invertebrates. Keeping such fish as blennies and gobies add a lot of character to the rock work as they have the tendency to perch amongst the rock-work and swim in and out of he cracks in the rock work. Also by adding shrimps and crabs like redlines or porcelain crabs.. It adds a lot of character without taking up to much tank space or adding bio-load to the system.
Id also like to mention the third aspect which I find very important in terms of keeping nano tanks. The sand bed is pretty boring area and you can't just place a bunch of corals to cover the empty sand without it looking like a mess. (unless you like that look) I'm a big fan of watchmen gobies paired up with their shrimp counterpart.. adding a pair of these adds a lot of life to your sand bed. These gobies coupled with their friend, borrow around the rock work making caves.. whilst the shrimp digs, the goby stands guard. However, other sand-sifting gobies like diamonds and sleeper gobies add a lot of depth to the sand bed.
I personally by ticking off these areas, I've always got something to look at each different level as its aesthetically a lot more pleasing to the eye. There's nothing wrong with having the same types of corals stacked all over your rock work coupled with lots of column swimming fish. But I much prefer strategically placed corals with a diversity of different fish and invertebrates.
:D
Firstly, middle to high water column swimmers, simple fish like clowns or firegobies add that movement to the water column making it a lot more lively. Due to my tank keeping mainly just 3 corals, SPS, ZOAS and RHODACTIS MORPHS. There isn't very much movement besides the fish. Additionally, rock dwelling fish and invertebrates. Keeping such fish as blennies and gobies add a lot of character to the rock work as they have the tendency to perch amongst the rock-work and swim in and out of he cracks in the rock work. Also by adding shrimps and crabs like redlines or porcelain crabs.. It adds a lot of character without taking up to much tank space or adding bio-load to the system.
Id also like to mention the third aspect which I find very important in terms of keeping nano tanks. The sand bed is pretty boring area and you can't just place a bunch of corals to cover the empty sand without it looking like a mess. (unless you like that look) I'm a big fan of watchmen gobies paired up with their shrimp counterpart.. adding a pair of these adds a lot of life to your sand bed. These gobies coupled with their friend, borrow around the rock work making caves.. whilst the shrimp digs, the goby stands guard. However, other sand-sifting gobies like diamonds and sleeper gobies add a lot of depth to the sand bed.
I personally by ticking off these areas, I've always got something to look at each different level as its aesthetically a lot more pleasing to the eye. There's nothing wrong with having the same types of corals stacked all over your rock work coupled with lots of column swimming fish. But I much prefer strategically placed corals with a diversity of different fish and invertebrates.
:D
