Need decorative advice for predator tank

I have a 100 gallon tank with about 100 lbs sand and 100 lbs of dead rock.
The inhabitants are:

Miniatus Grouper
Porcupine Puffer
Niger Trigger
Yellow Tang
LionFish

The back of the tank is black acrylic. I was hoping that the black back would make the fish look better. The rocks didn't stay white for long, they are being covered by brown and green algae. My rocks are stacked in the middle, I find it is easier to clean algae off of the back. I have not found a solution for the algae on the rocks. My snails keep dying mysterious deaths.

Corals aren't really an option. I keep the salinity at 1.020-1.021.

I really want some color in the tank. What can I do to add some color.

I have attached a pic of the tank.

 

soft corals
BTW your tank is overstocked, or at least some of those fish will get to big...

 

Are there any macro algae that would thrive with your fish? I once saw a tank devoted to different kinds and it was beautiful. A profusion of color! Not sure about your fish though, they might eat all of it.

 

I agree and should have said something but last time I did I wasn't diplomatic and the op got very angry.

You might want to consider rehoming a few---just a suggestion.

 

I would agree with the soft coral option. How long has the tank been running? Your rock will probably change colors the longer it is in there and hopefully will add some various color coralline. Can you add some angels in with the fish in there? Maybe think about adding some color with fish....Your fish will get bigger but I disagree that it's overstocked at this point.......

 

the tank isnt over stocked, its just that the grouper will get much too big for that tank, same with the volitans lion.

But to answer the question, corailline algae will add some color, soft corals would work if you can acclimate them to the lower salinity. Im not sure what macros would work with that yellow tang in there. You might wanna go with some fake corals.

 

Need decorative advice for a predator tank


I like the tank. Hard to really added decorative items as you already know, secondary to your fish types. Maybe some Tongan branch LR, a grouping of barnacles might be cool.

Your snails are dying because the SG is too low I suspect.

Keeping algae controlled in that type of tank with the feeding requirements is going to be a challenge. You might want to look at ATS.

Please keep this thread on topic.

Thanks.

 

I disagree that the tank is overstocked. My water params are perfect.(0 nitrite, 0 nitrate) I feed very little and the fish are all still very small. The largest is the grouper which is about 5 inches.

@oldfishkeeper The tank has been up for a year.

I know I will have to re-home a couple of them in a year or two. For now, the tank is perfectly stocked. Everybody has their own little hiding/sleeping space.

That being said, I am thinking of some led lighting to add shimmer.

Would it be possible or cost effective to make my own fake corals? Many of the decent fake corals are kinda pricey.

As far as the soft corals go... I am on the fence. They may cause me a lot of problems in the long run. I lost a tank to a purple mushroom bloom once. I couldn't get rid of them.

 

The puffer is probably enjoying the snails,they're good food for him and will help keep his beak trimmed,which he needs.For color you could try some easy corals like mushrooms and star polyps they don't need perfect conditions or alot of light.For macroalgae(plants)try reefcleaners.org they may have some you could try.

 

Do you think I could get away with Green Star Polyps if i raised salinity? Can I have macro algae with the yellow tang? Any other (slow spreading or colonizing) soft coral ideas? I want the ability to remove them if needed.