The landscape of a reef aquarium is not merely one to engage the senses, although aesthetic function is certainly important to the tank keeper. Aquascaping in reef aquaria is primarily based around the structure of live rock and often sand substrate. In the past, it was suggested that up to 2 pounds of live rock per gallon of tank water capacity be used to provide adequate filtration. Over the years, however, and depending on the weight and shape of live rock, it has become apparent that the earlier estimate was exaggerated. Not only are lesser amounts of live rock capable of managing biological and mechanical filtration of substantial bioloads, but, in this case, less is actually more.
Reef aquaria in the past, as well as many
There's nowhere else I'ld rather be... unless, of course, you're buying
Okay that was very well written, BUT, it hurteded me so, maybe you can help me out. I am wanting to set up a niche tank of my own for a mandarin dragonette "I was thinking a 75gal with a 55gal sump" and I am now wondering how much live rock I will need "I was assuming roughly 100lbs". So my question for you is, IYO, how much live rock would I need for this setup? Oh yes and I am aware that it will need be well matured no matter what I go with, my patience was tested by the four months I decided to wait before I got my two clown fish.
The amound of LR(1.5-2lb per gal) that is often suggested is way too much IMO/IME.In my 75,I use roughly 65lbs of LR.Its not the weight of the LR that should be considered,its the shape/density/porousity of the LR that is important.I recommend useing enough LR to fill 1/3 the tanks volume.
Obviously,Mandarin fish feed on copepods and that is why you probably feel like you need alot of LR.It doesn't really matter if you have 40lbs or 100lbs of LR.The population levels of infauna in a reef tank(pods,worms,etc..) are in direct proportion to the amount of food/nutrient import the system receives(not by how much LR is in the tank).The degree/level of predation in the display tank will also play a role
in a tanks infauna population.So,if you want to grow pods,feed your tank daily.When i say feed your tank,I mean the fauna/corals.The fish should be fed daily as well IMO.
Well see that's where I have been confused...I didn't know if the people ment a lot of live rock in the form of weight or a lot in the form of places for the copepods to hide. Another question, IYO, what is the best food to use for feeding copepods?
Well,most of your pods are generally herbivores/detrivores.I feed my corals mysis shrimp and very fine particulate foods like Golden Pearls(50micron) as well as pureed fresh seafood.By importing foods/nutrients into the system,they are eaten by the higher(corals/fish) life forms and the waste products they release are eaten by the lesser lifeforms(iworms,inverts,etc..).The end result is organic PO4 and NO3 which algae use as a food source.This turf algae will be grazed on by herbivorous pods,snails,etc.
The most important thing you should consider for a mandarin tank besides feeding is to not introduce a species of fish that are also "pod predators"
IMO,Clownfish make perfect tankmates for mandarins.
BTW,I also waited 4 months before introducing my clownfish into my 75.You are definately taking the right approach to having a healthy reef tank.
Yeah these "other predators" are another thing that I have been concerned with, do you know of a good resource where I can find out what NOT to put with the dragonette? Oh and to explain myself a little further, the clown tank I already have is a semi-reef 20gal long "just shrooms, two clown, and cleaner pack" with a 55gal sump "this is my first and only sw. tank" so I was thinking about linking in the 75gal to the system for my dragonette, that way it would share an already matured water column and then I could use the 20gal long as a kind of refugium of sorts. Oh and thank you, I would still want to wait the four months even with the system linked because I would want the pods to have plenty of time to get settled in well....I use to work at a pet store here where I live and I have seen sooo many fish die just because people wouldn't wait long enough before adding them. Sometimes things just happen but I don't want my first dragonette not make it because I didn't know what I was doing. OH and one other thing, if I am getting too off subject here please let me know, I don't want to spam a good article.
Light on the Live Rock, please... on a diet!
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