Torch coral/BTA alternatives - Advice wanted

[schwh01]

I've been in the hobby 6 months now and all my stock is growing and looks great (shrooms, xenia, soft coral (having a mind block on it's name), small maroon clown, baby box, 3 gobies, cleaner, 4 crabs & 6 snails).

Setup: 40gal corner, prism skimmer, 35kg LR, 2 power heads, canister (running empty with occasional carbon), 2 weekly 20% RO water changes.

I would ultimately love a torch coral or BTA but it's not possible with my four standard marine glo fluorescents bulbs (4x24w). Can anyone recommend anything that would look similar that I would be able to keep successfully under this lighting?

Also, I'm thinking of adding 3 more small mid water fish (all the same species) and some more inverts and leaving it at that. Does this sound about ok for stocking levels and any recommendations on the mid water fish? Anthias maybe? Blue Damsels... or do they fight when kept together?

 

[Anonymous]

With the lights you have you should stick to soft corals.

 

[SAreefer]

try a leather cup coral and get yourself some clowns? My one(now dead) use to love the leather cup.

 

[Meloco14]

I agree that you need to stick to soft corals with those lights. As for the fish, you may be pushing the limits of your tank if you add 3 more. My first concern is that it is a corner tank. Corner and other odd shaped tanks don't make for much lateral swimming room, or area for fish to claim their own territory. My second concern is the boxfish. Boxfish are difficult to keep and having 7 other fish in there with it will most likely stress it. IIRC boxfish can release toxins when stressed, which could crash the entire tank. I might be wrong about that; maybe they only release them when they die. Either way it is a concern. Maroon clowns can get very territorial and aggressive, so take that into account when adding new fish. Damsels are also aggressive, so be careful with them. I think your tank is too small for anthias, but I am not very experienced with them. HTH

 

[schwh01]

Thank you.
I've now added 3 small chromis. Really brings the tank to life and all seems well so far, everyone feeding and getting alone fine.
Thanks again.