Neon Dottyback

[avking]

Hello all! I have a 30 gal folr tank. I currently have 1 Coral Beauty, 1 Bi-color Blenny, 1 Green Chromis, and 1 Green Goby. Is it possible to add a Neon Dottyback? I heard that they can get pretty mean. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Max]

Hello and welcome to a.c.! I'd recommend that if you at least consider an orchid dottyback instead of the neon. You'll also have to make sure that you have enough hiding places for everone. I'd think that after this you might be able to consider your tank fully stocked but, I tend to lightly stock my tanks. Hth and hopefully some others will share their opinions. By the way please tell us more about your tank how much l.r. do you have how is your tank set up live sand clean up crew etc.
hth
chris
and welcome to a.c. :dance:

 

[avking]

Thanks for the response. I have about 30 pounds or crushed coral and 20 pounds of lr. I am going to add another 5 to 10 pounds of lr. I am kind of *edit* because I not want a sand base. But, it is too late and my tank has been running for 6 weeks now. I also have about 10 blue hermits, 4 snails, and a porcelin crab. The dottyback is the last fish that I am going to add. I was also thinking of adding a sixline wrasse instead of the dottyback. I utilize a Whisper 60 gallon bio filter and AquaClear power head. I am considering setting up a fuge filter system. What type of shrimp could I add?

Thanks

 

[Max]

Be carefull adding more live rock to your tank. Make sure it's fully cycled by keeping it in a rubbermaid tub for a couple of days or buying fully curred l.r. and testing every couple of hours. I'd also have some s.w. on hand just in case.
You're right you are going to have nitrate issues from the c.c. but, in the short term at least you'll be able to mitigate the problem by more frequent water changes. Your invertebrates in particular will thank you for it! I'd just use the live rock as a filtration most mechanical methods won't do anything but add to your nitrate problem.
Sixlines are pretty little guys and pretty peacefull however,"I hate to say this" your tank is a nitrate problem waiting to happen you might consider not adding any more fish. If you do select one another you'll have to do more frequent water changes. If you are unable to change out your substrate I'd also invest in a good aqua vac.
hope this helps

 

[avking]

Thanks. I guess I better start doing water changes. I will most likely get salt water from my lfs. I am also looking into a protein skimmer. Some say I need it, others say I don't. What is your opinion?

 

[Max]

it honestly depends on water conditions how much work you're willing to do and how often etc. Have to have in a f.o. nope but, you'll have less bio waste in your water if you use one.

 

[avking]

Can I utilize distilled or spring water from the supermarket? I was going to mix it with salt until I get a solid salinity level of .022.

Thanks

 

[Max]

Maybe, don't go out and buy a bunch of it until you test it. Sometimes the supermarket ro water has a really old membrane ,"not as common" and gets quite a bit of gunk in it ,"technical term ." Spring water is a much bigger risk sometimes your tap water will be of better quality.

 

[avking]

Ok...well I have had a few gallons of tap water sitting in a bucket for the past two weeks. I can do my usual tests for ammonia and nitrates, but how does one know if any chlorine or metals are present?