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Ok, I will be putting up a 90 gallon or larger tank eventually; however, I do not have to resources at the moment. I have covered most of my large tank in another post. Anyway, until I can put together my large tank I would like to maybe od a nano tank. I know that everyone is kind of against nanos because they are harder to maintain and such, but I think I am up for the challenge. I have all ready decided what I want to do. What I need from you guys is opinions and tips and such mostly.

I want a pair of pearly head jawfish and some iverts. I will be putting LR in and probably some live sand as well. I need to know what a good mix of substrate would be for a pair of these guy. I know you guys have said they are more difficult because they like to burrow so much.

What inverts would go well in this set-up?

Could I also maybe have some coral polyps? If I do add some then how much lighting would I need?

10 Gallon tank or maybe 25 gallon tank? Please tell me if 10 gallons would be sufficient for this, If not, I think I can use my 25 gallon tank instead. I am not 100% sure.

Please feel free to comment on whatever. I just want the pair of jawfish, and since I ruled them out of my big tank I figured that I could do a tank for them. I just love these little guys.

]:|Matty this is all your fault! You made me love them SO much that I just HAVE to have some! lol


Christina



Last edited by dvmchrissy at 27-Dec-2005 09:28

Last edited by dvmchrissy at 27-Dec-2005 09:29

Is anyone out there today that could give me some ideas? I am getting ready to go out of town and would like to think about this on my trip. Where are all those Dark Siders?

Gee it is very quite on the site today...


Christina

I don't think that two jawfish would do well in a ten gallon tank. Not only are there water quality issues which could result, but they are very fond of digging elaborate tunnels. I'm not sure on this, but I don't know that a ten gallon would provide enough room for the tunnels (mainly width). Recommended substrate includes at least three or four inches of sand, with larger rocks or gravel mixed in. Jawfish are really cool, I think you made a good choice on fish.

You have a decent selection of invertebrates to choose from, basically whatever won't bother the jawfish. Smaller hermit crabs or shrimp should work. Corals are compatible with the jawfish, but lighting depends on what type/types of corals you're looking for. The general rule is that mushroom corals and zoanthids need relatively low light, then soft corals, then the stony corals. This is an oversimplification, of course. Specifics would be helpful.

That's about as far as I can help you, but hopefully it'll give you something to ponder.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Matty this is all your fault! You made me love them SO much that I just HAVE to have some! lol

Sorry 'bout that. I'd personally use the 25. Since this is a tank dedicated to them, I'd get maybe 5-6 inches of a wide variety of substrate. By wide variety I only mean shapes and sizes, but always use the carbonate based substrates like aragonite or crushed coral. Also see if you can pay your lfs for some small, maybe dime or penny sized rock(base or live). They like to use those as well.

As far as lighting goes, I believe that the 25 is a tall tank. You always need more light than normal in a tall tank. I'd say if all you want are some shrooms and zoanthids in the tank shoot for 3wpgish of Compact flourescent or VHO lighting.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

25g tank would work nicely. i love jawfish species tanks, they are quite a eye opener. Make sure you check all LR you buy i fellow reefer i know lost to jawfish to a hitch hiking mantis shrimp!

My first SW was a 24g nano cube. It's easy to maintain, if you keep up on weekly water changes. The only problem I've found with keeping this tank, is keeping the KH up. So, it's not as hard as it sounds. You should get plenty of LR, I think i have 33 lbs.

Good luck with the new tank
-Nick

Chemistry shouldnt swing very bad in 24g. 10g's can have major problems in a couple of hours.
i had a few problems with my 11g keeping it cool and that was 3 weeks ago. its mid summer now and would hate to still be running that tank

Ok, I will go with the 25. One other thing. Can you guys give me some suggestions on rock layout please. I was kinda thinking of scaping the corners of the tank instead of having a mound of rock in the middle. What do you guys think of that? Are there are special things that I need to know about the pearly jawfish? I will be getting a pair. Matty is there anything special you think I should know about them? I would really appreciate it.


Christina

They are pretty hardy fish, but they are jumpers. If you provide them with a nice home they will be less likely to jump after they get settled in. Make sure to cover the tank for the first few days until they get their cave situated - it's a good idea to keep it covered all the time in my opinion.

As for food, they don't tend to come to the surface so that rules out flakes really. I feed mostly brine, mysis, and formula 2.

And remember to provide a good substrate like I said above.

Acclimate them slowly - drip if you can. I kept mine in the bag and doubled the water in the bag, then I poured out half and doubled again. It probably took an hour and a half.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Oh, good news... I don't know how I forgot about this! I am supposed to buy a 30 gallon tank from a friend of mine. It was supposed to be for a brackish tank but I could use it for the SW and use the 25 for the Brackish. All I am going to put in the Brackish is 2-4 Neovespicula and some Mollies. Would they be okay in a 25? Please let me know now before I buy it.
I am trying to plan all of this slowly as well so that I will be able to afford it. What brand of skimmer and water pump is good for smaller SW tanks? I can't remember what else I need for the tank at the moment... mental lapse I guess...


Christina

Some may not agree, but why not go skimmerless for a little while? it may seem like just the cheap way out but generally in new Aquariums you dont pull anything out for a good 1-2 months

I probabyl won't actually add it until I get the fish. I am going to have LR in it so I will be okay until I get the tank cycled... am I wrong? Otherwise, I will only have the LR as filtration until I add the skimmer. What are some others opinions on this?


Christina

i have been running my cube sklimmerless for a month now. its fine seriously. you dont pick much up for a while.

couple of Kg's of LR and a powerhead or HOB filter will be fine.
i reccomend a HOB or something similar just for a fine filter pad to get floaties out.

I wasnt going to get a filter. I was jsut going to get a skimmer. I thought that would be better since I all ready have natural filtration in the LR... Does that sound right?


Christina

yeah it works fine as long as you got a powerhead for movement.
i like using internal or hob filters to get small debris out the tank.