I have a 20 gal that I've been working on now for about 10 months. It's stocked with about 20 lbs of lr and about 15 lbs of ls. Corals: Goniopora, Fox Coral, Frogspawn, mushrooms, and zoa's. Inverts: Peppermint Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, Flame Scallop, 3 Emerald Crabs, numerous red leg and blue leg hermits, and a Bubble Tip Anemone. Fish: Bicolor Blenny, Sixline Wrasse, Bangai Cardinal, and Small Maroon Clown that I'm going to have to move to a bigger tank.

I'm trying to get suggestions on what other corals to put in my tank. I think I'm a little short on lighting so I can't do anything that requires major light. Right now I have 46 watts of light. [2 t-5s (14 watt 10000k and 14 watt actinic)] and [1 t-8 (18 watt 10000k)]. So far everything is doing fine, but I'm not sure if I can put any sps corals in.

What have you been successful with?

__________________
Carlos

I wouldnt try any SPS with that lighting. However i have a similar setup and i decided to go with mostly Acans, Zoas, Mushrooms and a chalice. They are all doing very well now. Thats what i would recommend.

__________________
It has become more than a hobby! My 29gal Dream Reef DIY Build

I didn't even think about a chalice. I need to look up what an acan is. I have no clue. lol. I don't think I can put anymore big corals because as they fill in I'm afraid they might start stinging one another. My frogspawn is still tiny so I'm good for a while with that, but the goniopora is pretty big and if the bubble tip gets to big I might have to trade it at my lfs for a small one. The good thing though is when I put it in, it moved to one of my rocks and planted itself. It hasn't moved since. I think it's happy where it is. Plus, once a week i give it a shrimp that it gobbles up, so I it doesn't have to look for much food.

How do you know how much light is enough? Everything seems to be fine, but I'm always worried that I don't have enough and that months down the road my corals might finally show signs that it's not sufficient.

__________________
Carlos

these are Acanthastrea AKA acans
Diver's Den® Corals: LPS WYSIWYG Corals

I have 48w on my 29gal frag tank, it was enough to keep some pink millie frags alive but not very well.

to know how much light is enough you need to find someone with the meter that measures the amount of light at a certain spot in your tank. not sure what the meter is called but the light is measured in parr

__________________
It has become more than a hobby! My 29gal Dream Reef DIY Build

Ok. Thanks. I'll see what I can find out about this meter.

__________________
Carlos

The Goniopora wont likely last very much longer in your tank unless you have more luck with them than 99% of other aquarist. Although a popular coral with many in the reef hobby they have a dismal survival rate over the long term, rarely lasting more than a year. Ditto on the Flame Scallop. They require food in the 40 micro or smaller range and I am not aware of any frozen or liquid food preps that contian enough food items in this range to maintian one for a long period of time.

With the BTA if it continues to thrive in your tank, you will soon have a species only tank. They will easily get about 12 inches across in short order if healthy and have adequate lighting. In a tank this small I would suggest screening off all power head and filter intakes other wise should your anemone go on a "Walkabout" and they usually will from time to time, they will undoubtedly find an intake and end up as "Anemone Puree
" in your tank. Just a suggestion...

With the lighting you got unless you are upgrading your going to be limited pretty much to soft corals and LPS corals.

Right now I'm feeding Kent's phytoplankton and microvert. I spot feed the flame scallop every other day. So far it's doing ok, but yet again my lfs said it would be fine. I think from now on I need to ask on here before I buy anything because he's the same guy that told me the maroon clown was good for a 20 gal tank. I can only hope and keep trying to feed the scallop. I don't want to see anything die because it's useless and not fair to the animal. How long do the scallops usually last because right now I've had it for about 5 or 6 months.

__________________
Carlos

im not sure how long they last i just got mine about 2 months ago, i havent been spot feeding mine though that sounds like a good idea, i will try giving him DT's tomorrow when i feed, i will let you know how it goes

__________________
It has become more than a hobby! My 29gal Dream Reef DIY Build

You are having remarkable success for a 20 gallon tank. I would recommend finding another home for your Goniopora, flame scalop, and BTA as continued long term success is questionable due to your tank size, lighting and the very selective nutritional requirements of the Goniopora. I completely agree with everything that Imaexpat2 has said.

__________________
Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

I have had my flame scallop for about a year now. I use to spot feed but quit spot feeding about 3 months ago. As for food I do use the bottled plankton stuff. But also get the green bottle of phyto for you sump you will be supprised as to what lives in your tank to feed them. Just because you cant see it does not mean it is not there. At the same time please take that comment with a grain of salt (no pun intended) as they do not have good succuss rates in our tanks. But it can happen. The nem however I would find him a good home for he most likly will not last long. And as far as the clown hey you live you learn but dont take advice from that guy he dont seem to know what he is talking about. Sounds like you have a great tank show some pics sometime I would like to see it.

Im working on getting some pics up. I just moved and just had a baby so my time is rather limited right now.

__________________
Carlos