Ocellaris clowns in a 12 gallon cube?

[harrytownend]

Could I keep either 1 or 2 ocellaris clowns in my 12 gallon cube, my dimensions are 13x13x15 inches approximately.

Thanks

 

[Frankie_Garcia]

I have before with no problem. But that would be the only fish you keep in there.


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[BigRedsReefs10]

Do those dimensions include the rear chamber or is that the display? IMO no, that's pretty small in terms of a footprint, and clowns can be pretty active.

 

[harrytownend]

That's just the display. Also, my live rock isn't in a very tall pile so there is a fair amount of swimming room at the top of the tank

 

[Dallascowboys16]

regardless the footprint seems really small for any fish. I would stick to inverts for this tank.

 

[harrytownend]

Ok, thanks anyway

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

You could definitely get a couple fish, but I'd look into gobies/blennies that either perch/hang out on the rock work, or sand bed. Not much room for open water swimmers in smaller cubes honestly.

 

[harrytownend]

Yeah I was planning on getting a yellow clown goby instead

 

[Khuligirl93]

I'm thinking about setting up a nano reef as well, and I found this nice list on live aquaria today maybe it can give you some ideas. I think all the fish listed are beautiful.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+2124


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[BigRedsReefs10]

Op decided not to take our advice and already went with a clown.

 

[harrytownend]

I read other forums that said a clown would be fine. Also they said that breeders use 10 gallon tanks for 2 and I only have one. I'm planning on setting up a 40 gallon tank soon as well. If I've made a huge mistake then I can take it back.

 

[harrytownend]

My lfs said it would be ok aswell

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

Well even though I disagree with keeping then in a 10 it has a better footprint. You have a 3-4 inch fish in a 13 inch square, at least a 10 offers almost 2 feet of swim space. And my lfs has told me I could keep a yellow tang in a 20 long no problem, they'll tell you what ever it takes to get a sale.

 

[harrytownend]

Does the extra height not improve the tank for the clown?

 

[harrytownend]

I do have a spare 10 gallon that I could transfer everything to to increase the tanks footprint. I was planning on using it as a sump for the tank in the future anyway.

 

[carey]

The extra length would be a good thing. I have a couple sets of clowns and a single in my 90g and while they do tend to stay in a corner most of the time, I have had clowns that like to swim back and forth too. I had several pairs that really liked to ride the water flow from the return jet. So much so that I lost 3 pairs as they caught a wave right out of the tank. :-( I now have netting on top of the tanks. So they can be jumpers if the conditions are right.

 

[harrytownend]

So should I use the longer tank? Only thing is my lid won't fit. I'll have to make a lid before I do switch the tanks. Also, could I use my 13" cube as a sump? Any design ideas would be great

 

[carey]

The 13inch cube probably wouldnt make such a great sump. You need a few inches for the return pump, a few inches for the input with a filter sock and then whatever is left over for the skimmer. From my experience most skimmers are about 6 inches wide so it would be an awful tight fit, if it does all fit. :-(

What size are you planning on going up to? Like what tank size would you be wanting a sump for?

 

[harrytownend]

It was going to be for the 10 gallon just to up the total volume a bit. If I just had the bare essentials in the sump, heater, maybe a nano skimmer and return and outflow and filter sock it might fit. I'll research what I'm going to get and see if it fits

 

[harrytownend]

this skimmer only has a footprint of 8cm x 7.5 cm