for over 2 years until I sold my old set up I had 2 flame scallops 2 mandarins a rainfords goby and 2 pipefish none of which ate frozen food or anything I added but just lived off what grew in the tank. I had a large HOB filter full of chaeto acting as a refugium and lots of crushed LR in the sump to grow tons of pods but I largely attribute my success to not having a skimmer which takes out a lot of your phytoplankton. My water was never cloudy or full of particulate but I did have to do more water changes and watch my chem levels and feeding more closely but I think it was worth it. Flame scallops like to hide so the trick is to create a recessed area where they will feel safe but you can still look into from a certain angle (a low down, deep, shaded hole) but the extra engineering is worth it, really loved those guys
|