[lacybiker2000]

Ok, yes I know it is small, I've purchased an 8 gal biocube. Pretty much bought everything at the same time (including the premixed salt water) except the fish. I've got 4.5 pds of LR, got a small piece ( a little smaller than my fist) of what they called mushroom coral rock, a sand that looked to be between crushed coral and the fine sand, plus a little bit of crushed coral on top of this. As to aquascaping, I used a couple of pieces of dead corals that I had on hand, and love the way it looks for a new starter.
The piece of mushroom coral also came with a few feather dusters, some brittle stars (at least 4) among other things. I've got copepods crawling all over the place. One thing that is very similar looking to the brittle stars slightly thicker in body (purple/gray striped) and slightly spiney like they are, but it was only like one arm, could this be a star too? On the LR is also one little creature that is basically clear but kinda like a slug in consistency of body. Some tiny flower looking polyps.
The tank has been up for about three weeks, everything is fine, my inverts are thriving, and I so enjoy watching them, particularly the brittle stars (not the copepods-yuck, but I have heard they are nessesary). My question is concerning when I am ready to add fish in another month or so, what kinds would be safe for my inverts? In no way do I wish to lose them over a fish. Would love to have a Mandarin Goby in 7-8 months, but don't know if my reef would support one. Also would be looking for a fish that would be in mid water or all around the tank but would jive with it's other inhabitants. I don't figure to get but two or three fish/shrimp in all. Whatever fish I choose will need to be ones that don't grow larger than my small tank will comfortably hold.

Any suggestions out there???

Another question, I know you are supposed to quarantine any new add-ins for the aquarium, when I only have the one 8-gal tank that is salt water (that is another reason I got everything at once, except fish). How do I quarantine something?

Thanks, S

[blind1993]

you just put it in a dif aquarium for a certain amount of time and the clowns would do good if they are the baby size.

[lacybiker2000]

Thanks, I will seriously think about getting one. Another question, I've not gotten a cleanup crew yet, what are the best? How many should I buy for my 8 Gal? Thanks

[fishmaniac13]

get hermit crabs they will eat the algae
blue leg and red leg

[blind1993]

i think that 1 for every 1 or 2 gallons. and which one eats more alage the blues or the reds. and are there snails taht eat brown alage.

[lynnvangsnes]

Cerith snails, bumblebee snails, nassarius snails, trochus snails, astrea snails are all good algae eaters.

[glampka]

Forget putting a mandarin in that tank. They need copious amounts of pods to live on. You won't be able to supply their needs.

[blind1993]

i am going to try and get 5 snails for my 55g tank do u think it will take care of 1 side glass and fake coral since that they are from clear glass to brown. and fake coral from white to green and brwon and purple kinda like lr.

[bleueau187]

get two seahorses, they are alittle expensive but well worth it and cool to have. they would be perfectin your tank

[blind1993]

but i have other fish in the tank that is the problem otherwise my dad camehome yesterday and said come on lets go to the fish store and get some sea horses. and i have done 2 years of reasearch on seahorses.

[bleueau187]

o i see you could always take the fish out and then put them in otherwise just go with any small reefsafe fish and you should be fine

[blind1993]

well so far i have a coral beauty angel, nemo, and 2 damsels. and plus i am getting a dwarf tank probably in december. and i think i am not experienced enough.

[e_baer]

at least you are taking the proper steps in getting a sea horse tnak!

[blind1993]

i am being very carefull with seahorses since i have a sponge in my 55g and it is going to go in the 5g when it become time for me to get seahorses. and i want to keep them alaive also

[lacybiker2000]

Thanks guys for the advice, I have five little crabs since one did not make it (two blues and three reds). What do you think of clown goby's for the tank (considering a yellow and a green), I have heard they don't get too large and will perch everywhere, so they would not just be at the bottom. Or a Clown Goby and a Purcula Clown?

GLAMPKA: thanks, I guess since I have always wanted one, and I've got those little bugs running around everywhere, I was so hoping. But it is ultimately the health of the fish that I am concerned for.

I did get some more LR Friday when I got the crabs. So whatever fish ends up in there will have all kinds of bridges and holes to hide in.

[e_baer]

yeah, i would say some small gobys are OK to get. if you have a few of the same kind, you might be able to breed them! they are very neat to watch, it seems as though they have suction cups on them when the stick to the glass.

[lacybiker2000]

I've called the pet store and cancelled my order for the mandarin. Monday is the nest time I will be able to make it up there (60 miles away). So the owner is holding a green clown goby for me and will be ordering a yellow one for me to look at also.

[lacybiker2000]

Sorry, I can't figure out how to load an image and have it look right or be the right size.