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It's me again, in a what some would say appalling situation. I had to break down my tank, but wanted to salvage what I could to potentially rebuild. I'm kinda hoping some of this could work long term. Anyways, I ended up with 4 containers that I've had up for 1-2 weeks. Container #1 1/2 gallon - Tall & Narrow Emerald Crab Zoa Xmass Tree Macro Nerite Snails (2) Cerith snail The cerith died, it fell from the top and was on it's back for a while without moving. The zoa was pretty unhappy, the emerald was sitting on it (I removed it, before it notably died). The emerald just stopped moving one day (it was pregnant too, if that means anything) and is confirmed dead. The nerites are fine, same with macros. Just saw some kind of worm that's chillin. Did a massive water change, gonna keep a close eye on it to make sure the nerites and macros make it. Container #2 1/4 gallon - Wide & Short Pompom Crab Small Feather Duster Nerite Snail Everything is alive and well, no issues. I have no idea how it's doing so well. Container #3 Old Gelato Cup Hairy Mushroom Coral Brittle Starfish Asterina Starfish Cerith Snail The mushroom seems a little unhappy (it's shrinking up), but also looks like it's trying to split. Everything else is fine. Container #4 - Not pictured Old Gelato Cup Halimeda Brittle Starfish Spaghetti Worm The Spaghetti worm passed away, couldn't find the starfish (it's probably in the Halimeda?). The whole thing smells rancid. I did a massive water change and have my eye out for the starfish. I've been dosing Bacteria into all the containers (in very small amounts) and have done partial water changes. Any ideas why some of containers are doing so well? and why some are doing awful? I really thought containers #2 & #3 were going to be problamatic, very surprised by how poorly containers #1 & #4 did.

Ok so I might be getting ahead of myself here. but I wanted to ask you nano Gurus about mixing invertebrates in nano my tank that will be between 13.5 to 20 gal so a lot smaller than I have had. most likely the tank with be 13.5 to 14.6. tank will focus on RFA ( hopefully 20+ ) and a few mini max nems and maybe 1 fish for some movement. for inverts I am thinking: 2X pom pom cabs 4-6 sexy shrimp maybe a cpl more? 1x porcelain crab 1-2 herments cpl small snails maybe an anemone crab but I want something that will be out and about. guessing I cant keep a fire shrimp in the mix right? pretty sure I dont want a pistol shrimp as I had a hitch hiker on some TBS LR and it bugged me snapping all the time . also open to a small fish or two that will not become RFA food. I like the small clown gobies but i fear there will make a meal for the nems. was thinking a 6 line wrasse as the only fish would it go after the sexy shrimp?