Coral Only Tank?

[MeridiaRose]

Aside from the 125 FOWLR system that I have going I also have a 10 gallon "reef" tank. I put reef in quotations because I only have 4 corals in the tank. Until recently I had a yellow tail damsel (I realize he probably wasn't the best fish for this tank) and he was doing really well. I had him for a little over three years and the other day I found him dead. My parameters are all where they should be so I know that wasn't it, I have a suspicion that either my kitten scared the life of out it (she is even more in love with the tanks than I am) or I didn't match the temp correctly when I did a water change. His death isn't the point of me post, my question is:

Is it possible to keep a coral only tank, or is some sort of fish required? I feed the corals with reef roids twice a week and occasionally spot feed with frozen mysis. I've always had fish but I'm curious if a coral only tank is plausible.

Thanks [emoji4]

Pics of the tank:

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[Luke.]

110% yes it's possible , it would be a bit easier without a fish (less waste in the water) it basically acts as a frag tank just do weekly water changes and continue with your feeding scedual .

 

[MeridiaRose]

Awesome thanks!

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[SamB]

I agree that it is definitely possible and will be a lot cleaner due to less feeding.
However, a lot of frag tank (coral) keepers will also have one small fish included to assist in the rid of pests and bugs,
The sixline wrasse is a good candidate for this. A small, PITA fish that is better housed alone but does a great job of parasite removal

 

[MeridiaRose]

Neat! I've always had fish and if I'm honest they are my favourite (which is why I went with a FOWLR for the 125). I'll do some research on the sixline wrasse, it may be just what this tank is missing.

Thanks.

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[AdInfinitum]

I have had better success and growth with my frag tanks with fish in them even when they are plumbed into larger systems. I love the blue sapphire damsel (springeri) as they are good tempered unlike most other damsels and are known AEFW eaters as well as other pests that might evade my dips. Think that a small useful fish or two are almost necessary in a stand alone tank as all of the finely ground, pre-processed undigested food that passes through a fish provides many intangibles for corals.

 

[MeridiaRose]

That makes sense and along the lines of what I was thinking. Even in stores that have frag tanks I've always seen at least one fish. The sapphire damsel is beautiful, and one I'll add to the research list.

Thanks.

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[nathan]

That makes sense and along the lines of what I was thinking. Even in stores that have frag tanks I've always seen at least one fish. The sapphire damsel is beautiful, and one I'll add to the research list.

Thanks.

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I plus one the blue sapphire damsel. .. great personality damsel... imo best damsel around and the most beautiful in the group

 

[heath]

love the green long tentacle nem...

 

[MeridiaRose]

Thanks, although unless I'm wrong I'm pretty sure it's a torch coral.

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[heath]

oh could very well be, what ever it is its beautiful..

 

[MeridiaRose]

I'm just going off what Canada Corals sold it to me as lol so I could be wrong. But thanks I find that it catches my eye all the time and I get distracted from what I was doing.

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[heath]

it is a beautiful piece what ever it is.. but you are probably correct..

 

[scubasteve]

fish poop means less coral food but also more water changes. its all about what you want to look at. I feel every kid gets upset seeing a salt tank with no nemo or dori

 

[MeridiaRose]

Makes sense, I definitely like having fish in the tank, but wanted to see what my options are. I have two clowns in the 125 but I don't think its fair to put them in this tank, they've had the 125 almost to themselves forever.

I'm planning on adding to the 125 and it might be safer for the clownfish in this tank down the line.

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[nevek67]

I always wanted to set up a smaller tank Coral only w/ Inverts.

I find that the shrimp hide more with the fish swimming around.. I had 2 blood shrimp and you almost never seen them.. I wouldn't have even known my coral banded killed them if I hadn't seen the bodies drift to the front of the tank.

 

[nevek67]

oh could very well be, what ever it is its beautiful..

That is a torch and I'm jealous of it lol

 

[MeridiaRose]

Haha thank you [emoji4]

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[MeridiaRose]

Thought you guys might be interested in this quick video I took of the tank this evening. Sorry for the not so great quality.

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[nevek67]

is that a ton of pods all over your glass?