Questions on stocking a 55g reef

[rpc07]

I have a few questions on stocking a 55g reef tank so far I have

a Pair of false perc clowns
algea blenny
cream angel

I dont want to go crazy with fish maybe another 2 possibly 3 that stay small. i am looking for fish that are interesting and have personality something fun to watch when i sit in front of my tank and something that will get along with whats in there now and be reef safe, so from personal experience what would you guys reccomend?

 

[JonnyJ]

A blue spot jawfish has been my best addition. Very cool fish to watch, always up to something... But know they can make a mess and will try to jump.

 

[rpc07]

I do have an egg crate cover on the tank thnk this will be enough to keep him in the tank?

 

[JonnyJ]

There is definitely mixed opinions on this.

Some people will say Glass top it ONLY which i am sure is the safest option [especially with a fish thats this expensive] i prefer open top so i went with a 1/4" inch custom top i made. So far so good an he tries to jump at least like 5 times a day which i visually see...who knows when i'm not around how many times he jumps lol


someone just lost their blue spot with a 1/2" Mesh on top so thats definitely a no

i have no experience with eggcrate, what is the measurements between the openings? maybe someone else can chime in

 

[KathyC]

I do have an egg crate cover on the tank thnk this will be enough to keep him in the tank?

The downside to egg-crate is the amount of light that it stops from entering the tank.
I have seen fish as large as a Royal Gramma jump straight through egg crate.

The downside to glass tops are they destroy the oxygen exchange and that is a real problem in a reef tank.

Many make covers for their tanks using screen edging and 1/4" mesh..and it works like a charm and avoids the pitfalls of the glass and egg crate covers

 

[rpc07]

where can i get my hands on some 1/4" mesh i looked through home depot and didnt see any but then again i didnt know what i was looking for if i could find 1/4" mesh i would make my own tops out of screen window parts like i have seen, i used egg crate because i had it lying around

 

[KathyC]

It's called Pond Netting and you can get it at most Ace Hardware stores.
Be sure to get the right size - it comes in a larger size also - you donlt want that one.
Ace also carries the screen making kits

 

[bizarrecorals]

egg crates is not a good option for a cover for a fish tank, think peice of acrylic or glass will be more suitable.

 

[rpc07]

from what other people are saying about solid tops is it reduces the gas exchange in the water and traps heat, im not to worried about the evaporation without a top as i have an ato set up.