The 40

[DEATH BY SNU SNU]

I have a tank lying around that I want to start a journal for. This will be a SPS dominant tank with a minimalist approach. I'm going to bare bottom and going to have a wrasse in there to take care of any pests that I might come across (even after Bayer dipping and Seachem Reef Dip, some still inevitably make it through). Question: Is pyrex safe for reef tanks? I'm going to put sand in it for the wrasses.

 

[Tmjvb]

Why barebottom?
You could go with Pseudocheilinus wrasses which don’t require sand and are great at controlling certain pests.

 

[DEATH BY SNU SNU]

I'm trying bare bottom for the first time for easier detritus control. I want something that's not going to be a bully like a six line wrasse is..

 

[Tmjvb]

I'm trying bare bottom for the first time for easier detritus control. I want something that's not going to be a bully like a six line wrasse is..

Ah, Pseudocheilinops ataenia would be perfect then .

 

[DEATH BY SNU SNU]

Cool! only I have never seen Pink Streaked wrasse for sale anywhere....

 

[DEATH BY SNU SNU]

Oh I forgot the most important reason I'm going to BB. I want to crank up the flow!

 

[rygh]

Note that you can also go "reef bottom" also.
Buy starboard or acrylic that fits the bottom.
Then use epoxy or concrete with sand and rock rubble to essentially create a full live-rock bottom on the plastic.
Then just drip it. Add a bit of sand to cover any edges or joints.

Many advantages of bare bottom, without the weird look.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

What he's trying to say is there are many species of wrasse that don't need sand. In a forty gallon tank you're actually even better off with a few of the Fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus wrasses.) Most only get 3-4 inches, many are very peaceful and they don't burrow.

 

[Ranjib Dey]

Oh I forgot the most important reason I'm going to BB. I want to crank up the flow!

you can opt for coarse grained sand.

I would personally prefer bare bottom, lot easier on maintenance

 

[Tmjvb]

What he's trying to say is there are many species of wrasse that don't need sand. In a forty gallon tank you're actually even better off with a few of the Fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus wrasses.) Most only get 3-4 inches, many are very peaceful and they don't burrow.

IMO
Many wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus such as ones in the Cyanopluera, rubriventralis, and scottorum complexes will require a larger tank, as they get rather large and aggressive.
However, as mentioned above Pseudocheilinops ataenia or any Wetmorella wrasse would be suitable as they stay small, do not burrow, and are rather peaceful.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

IMO
Many wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus such as ones in the Cyanopluera, rubriventralis, and scottorum complexes will require a larger tank, as they get rather large and aggressive.
However, as mentioned above Pseudocheilinops ataenia or any Wetmorella wrasse would be suitable as they stay small, do not burrow, and are rather peaceful.

That's why I qualified with the Fairly wrasses. They do stay small and are for the most part peaceful. There's lots of them to choose from too.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

Good chart:

 

[Tmjvb]

The only Cirrhilabrus wrasse I would recommend to a 40 gallon would be C. earlei.
All others will eventually outgrow the system.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

The only Cirrhilabrus wrasse I would recommend to a 40 gallon would be C. earlei.
All others will eventually outgrow the system.

Ignoring the price of those how large do they get? Many of the other Cirrhilabrus (ie Flames, Lubbocks and others) stay under four inches don't they?

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

But you're right -- the Pygmy's rule!

 

[Tmjvb]

Ignoring the price of those how large do they get? Many of the other Cirrhilabrus (ie Flames, Lubbocks and others) stay under four inches don't they?

C. earlei generally stay under 4 inches but are - IME - less active swimmers than C. jordani, lubbocki, bathyphilus, etc which are more active/aggressive and therefore require more space.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

Gotcha! Thanks.

 

[DEATH BY SNU SNU]

This is such a great conversation. Thank you everyone who contributed to the conversation!.

 

[Tmjvb]

This is such a great conversation. Thank you everyone who contributed to the conversation!.

Lol..
Sorry I kinda went off topic haha.
IME pyrex is reef safe. I have used it for sand before and have a friend who is using it in his frag tank.

 

[daddio]

If you go "bare bottom" wont it make the parachute kid uncomfortable?