[knutcracker1]

i learned how to post pics finally

it's 26g

any suggestions/trash talking welcomed

[Reefland]

Looks great knutcracker1! How long have you had it set up? What kind of lighting are you using?

All of your corals appear to be very healthy. Keep up the good work!

[knutcracker1]

it's been up for almost a year

i have two 55 watt PC's, thinking about upgrading to MH's, but the housing is $$$.

my water quality is not ideal, LPS and softies have been growing great, but been having trouble keeping hippo tangs.

[Ninong]

Nice tank but 26 gallons is really too small for any tangs, it will stress them out too much, which is probably why you are having problems keeping them.

[knutcracker1]

what fish are possible to keep? i am relatively new to the hobby.
currently, i have a maroon clown and a firefish.

any knowledge appreciated!

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by knutcracker1

what fish are possible to keep? i am relatively new to the hobby.
currently, i have a maroon clown and a firefish.

any knowledge appreciated!

There are a lot of fish that are possible to keep but not as many that are good candidates for a 26-gal tank. Tangs are wide ranging herbivores in the wild that do poorly in small aquariums. Most people consider a 75-gal tank the minimum size for some of the smaller tang species, such as the Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens). A lot of people place the minimum size for tangs a good bit larger than 75-gallons. Some of the larger species of tangs really do require tanks 240-gal or larger.

The smaller species of clownfish, e.g. Amphiprion percula or A. ocellaris, are suitable candidates for a 26-gal tank but the larger clownfish species, such as your Maroon clown, require a minimum of 40-gallons. Maroons get too large for a 26-gal tank. Also, they are very aggressive and highly territorial and will freak out any tankmates in such a small tank.

Your firefish is OK, but you would be better off if you had a pair of one of the smaller species of clownfish. You really don't have room for more than two or three small fish at the most in a 26-gal tank.

Good luck,

[srfmon]

Nice tank but 26 gallons is really too small for any tangs, it will stress them out too much, which is probably why you are having problems keeping them.

Ninong, my thoughts exactly. These fish will stress especially with a territorial maroon. Alone he might be okay (for a little while) - but he will certainly outgrow a 26g.
You could probably keep a mating pair of Bangaii cardinal fish (Pterapogon kauderni) in there. Also watching them do their parenting thing is neat.
Some blennies would also be okay, pretty much any type.
HTH

[knutcracker1]

how about wrasses?

[srfmon]

Originally Posted by knutcracker1

how about wrasses?

Some wrasses can get pretty big like my Harlequin tusk (I think max size is 10" to 12"). But other wrasses that are reef safe are smaller. Just choose wisely. How about a six line wrasse - I always liked those guys. But they eat pods & I never wanted any competition with my spotted dragonette.

[knutcracker1]

more questions!

5 months ago, i was very fortunate to observe three digusting looking pod-like creatures (with semi-translucent shell, suction algae scrapper and two wiggly antennas) simultaneously ejecting eggs into my tank (much like those anti-air creatures in Starship Troopers). the last couple days i noticed many many baby pods hanging out in the tank. Now, are these creatures going to overrun my 26g in general? more specifically, i am also worried because i am about to leave my tank unattended for a month, except someone to feed and to top off water. that said, are they any general safety measures i should take before i leave? thanks a lot.