Tank Pics My tank

Here's a pic of my Biocube 29 first inhabitants. Added these clowns, emerald crab, and a few snails on Wednesday night. Doing great so far!

 

Yes, to a degree. We had this tank running before but got sick fish which wiped out everything in it. This is a reboot of that tank.

 

Had to pull one of my fish out of the return chamber in the back of my Biocube this morning. Woke up and went to feed, got real scared when I couldn't find one of them, but then started looking through the chambers and found her (I think it's a her, it's the bigger if the 2). I've never quite understood why fish do that. My wife said she thought it was trying to pull a "Nemo" and escape from the tank." I'm sure there's some level of anecdotal truth to that, or at least explore different parts of the tank. Watched her for about 10 mins after putting her back into the main tank area, swimming fine, no cuts or hurt fins, she ate like normal this morning. Thinking I'm pretty lucky she's ok.

Just wanted to share that. Anyone have similar experiences and/or have any ideas on how to stop it from happening again?

 

Do you happen to have a pic of the mesh installed for reference?

 

Thanks guys

 

Thanks for your input. I found this guard on Marine Depot and ordered it. I'll update on it's effectiveness once I get it.

 

Looking for suggestions on a QT system. I have been flipping through threads here and on Reef2Reef, watching some stuff on YouTube, and talked with a guy at an LFS. I was thinking about using a 20 long for the tank, adding a piece or 2 of dry rock for hiding and bio filtration, (I know most people use PVC, I just don't like the look of it, and while I want it to function properly I also don't want it to look like garbage.) and I was thinking about using either a canister filter or an HOB and pulling the guts out of it and putting in my own filtration (something like this - thinking about using the one rated for 60-110 to ensure water quality).

A few things I'm thinking about with this:
1- I know drilling and having a small sump would be ideal but I want to avoid having to do that, buy a stand for it, and plumbing it all up. Thinking that's probably not worth it considering the QT system is only going to be running for small amounts of time.
2- I could get another AIO system for a QT, but I don't want to spend exorbitant amounts of money on a system that isn't going to be running a ton. (That being said if you have an AIO that you want to get rid of for cheap, let me know via PM)
3- Canister filters seem to be going the way of the dinosaur in this hobby. I've never used one personally and they seem simple enough, but it seems people have vendettas against them.
4- HOB filters really aren't used in saltwater either, and while I wouldn't use it for a main display, I feel like if I'm putting a filter that is rated for 5x the water volume of the QT and I put similar media into it that I use in my Biocube it would work.

I would like to get your thoughts or suggestions so I don't make a dumb investment and have to spend more money in the long run than I need to.

Thanks everyone!

 

I'm in DSM and want these to be cycled by Fall Fest. Don't make it out to CR. If you are heading through DSM soon that would be great, otherwise looking pretty much only in DSM. Thanks though @Roman

 

Thanks Clay! PM sent

 

Update: Here are a couple of pictures of my tank and new QT system.

Getting over a diatom algae bloom. My snails did a great job at keeping it down. 30% water change and its decreased by about 60%. Planning on doing another water change tonight.

This is my 20g quarantine tank. Thanks @Reef Medic Clay! Just got it running yesterday, you can see some of the food I dropped in this morning to get the cycle going. I know you're not supposed to put rocks in your QT but I like the look of them better and I'll pull the rocks out and let them dry for 2 months in between additions. This tank should be ready to go by Fall Fest so we can QT whatever we get there! Whoop!

Last shot is of the fish room, which is my laundry room, with the tanks so you can see the positioning. I have an old padded kitchen mat under the QT tank so it's on a stable surface and not just concrete.

Just wanted to give you all an update. Thanks to everyone who's been helpful so far! This tank is just as much yours as it is mine!

 

It looks closer than it actually is. It's probably a little under