Breed Clownfish | Saltwater Fish

[seamonkey]

I'm setting up my 24g nano to make my first attempt at raising clownfish fry. I have a few questions which I could not find answers to on this site or forum. I apologize if these have been answered either on the site already or in a forum post somewhere.

- Is it ok to have live sand (deep sand bed)?
- What is a good method for blocking off the Nano's top drain so the fry don't accidentally float/swim into it? (btw, I won't have the filter pump on, only an air stone in the front part of the tank)
- I will be placing a ceramic tile (4") in the reef with the mated clown pair. I assume the tile should be face down so the rough part of the tile is facing up?
- Any references for sources on breeding specialty/unique clownfish? I've seen pictures of some that are mostly white and some mostly black for example.

Thanks for the help! I've ordered all of the things I think I'll need to be successful. Looking forward to this project.

[admin]

Live sand is great and will help with the stability of your tank water. As far as a deep sand bed, I am not a believer in it. I have done it and ran into nitrate problems. An inch or so of live sand is plenty.

When the fry hatch you will be taking them out of the nano tank for this reason.

Smooth side facing up, they typically like to lay eggs on smooth surfaces.

Can't help you on breeding specialty clownfish, if it could be done ORA would probably have bred it by now. But trying to create your own breed is worth a try I guess. ORA has been breeding picasso clownfish and totally white clownfish. Best of luck to you.