New reef tank being setup

[Tom Ado]

I'm new to reef tanks and got a few questions. A freind said this is a good site so I joined up. Im not at all new to fish tanks most of my house is covered in them. As far as this tank goes so far I have emptied it and cleaned it. I can reuse most of the equiptment on it when I used it for one of my aquatic gardens. It has 3x 400 watt 10,000k MH pendants and 2x 96w pc's I just have to buy atinic bulbs for the pc sockets, because the 7800k bulbs in now arent any good for reefs. I,ve secured the location to purchase my live rock and live sand, and am now modding/building my new filter with whats already there.
My big concern is live stock. I'm going to wait intill Im satisfied with parameters after cycleing to add them, but it seems hard to balance the eco sys in a reef as opposed to salt fish or fresh water tanks. I dont want to get fish or inverts that will damage $300 corals once I start purchasing them. Does any one know of a list or site that shows reef safe live stock only? On live aquaria they have quite a selection of clean up crews, but some will eat or move the corals. Can I have Anemones , or fan worms and things of that nature in a reef tank. I really like lion fish but apperantly they will leave no cleaning crew alive. Stocking is really what my thoughts are whirling about.

[Butterz]

Also, join a local reef club in your area. It helps going on tank tours and getting great deals on items and equipment.

Anemones, fan worms, yes in a reef tank. It's cautious but works. Anemones can eat fish, but rare.

Just make a big list that you want and rate them from REALLY want and go from there.

[Tom Ado]

can I put star fish in with coral? Guy @ pet store says no He also said the blue little damsels kill every thing

[BigH55]

Linkia stars are reefsafe. Most others arent. Look at bluezooaquatics.com. They have a great compatability chart.

[mboos]

I don't know where you live, but there is a store in Maine that only sells reef safe fish.

Unfortunately, they do not ship. If you don't live near them, you could at least visit the site to see what fish they offer as they are all reef safe.

The site is http://www.aquacorals.com/ShopFish.htm

Hope this helps!

[crvz]

Originally posted by Tom Ado
can I put star fish in with coral? Guy @ pet store says no He also said the blue little damsels kill every thing

damsels in general are rather aggressive, but they will get along with some fish. I don't personally like them, but they are an option. Regarding starfish, linkia and fromia stars are reef safe, but they often die in captivity due to poor/misunderstood dietary needs and I wouldnt recommend them either.

[Tom Ado]

hey thanks for the great links!
In a 150u.s.g. will a small lion eat my janitorial crew.

sorry for all the silly Q's but i'm a fresh water garden guy.
I just tossed a 55 gal drum filled to the brim with plants so i can covert 2 tanks into salt.

I am really fond of these lions i was wondering if I got one as a baby would it revage all the same?

So far I would like
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...pid=670&cid=16 (Green Mandarin Dragonet)

Convict Tang

Lemonpeel Mimic Tang

Ocellaris Clownfish

Ritteri Anemone -Heteractis magnifica

Dwarf Feather Dusters

Flame Scallops

and a sizeable clean up crew focusing more on detrius and sand sifting

would the more peaceful blue w/ yellow tail damsells cause a roit here
and woulda small lion (tradein for new small as it grows) devore every one?

[Tom Ado]

My other thread never got any replies do any of you know?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1507756

[_E_]

No idea on the pumps, but a few comments on the livestock.

I would avoid the lion if you want to keep anything but the more aggressive types of fish (many of which aren't reef safe). Mandarins are beautiful and docile, but very difficult to keep. In nature they only eat live 'pods and a very mature system with a refugium or significant time and training is needed to be successful. Tangs are wonderful reefsafe fish but require alot of swimming room and will need to be provided with some greens (like nori) for nutrition. Your tank size will be the determining factor on which tangs will work for you (what is your tank size btw). Magnifica anenomes are some of the largest and most difficult anenomes to care for...avoid that species, and for anenomes in general, your system needs to be very stable (at least 6mo to 1yr old) before attempting. The feather dusters will need a peaceful environment and be aware that any fish that constantly picks at the rock (like many butterfly and tang species), may pick at the duster.

Sorry if all of this isn't what you wanted to hear...livestock compatibility is probably the most challenging thing about this hobby.

[rad3dad]

The clown fish are a good reef safe choice, they can become a bit territorial, but shouldn't cause any harm. I would recommend against the rest of your choices for now. Either special dietary needs, that a new system can't sustain, or incompatibility issues.

Instead of the damsels, get a few chromis, there good active fish to have that will cause shyer fish to feel more safe, and come out from hiding more often. Take a look at other gobbies, besides the mandarin, until you have a pod spewing refugium feeding the display tank. There are alot of other very good reef safe gobbies, that accept prepared foods.
Some of my personal favorite fish for a newer systems.
Chromis, clowns, fire fish, Rainford's Goby, a wrasse (flasher, 6 line, or fairy), a blenny ( can be aggressive to other blenny's), royal gramma's. All of these have some great color, very different personality's, and will accept prepared foods.

Take things slow, and don't cut corners. You will have a much more enjoyable experience if you follow that advice.

[_E_]

rad3dad has some good recommendations...love the chromis and how they school around a tank.

[Tom Ado]

"Sorry if all of this isn't what you wanted to hear"\

Of coarse thats exactly what I want to hear. If I didnt want straight answers I wouldnt take the time to research or ask. I could simply make up wrong answers quiker!

Im a fairly experienced tank keeper, just new to reefs and their exotic enviroment.

I dont plan on "dumping" the fish in just making a plan. Whilst I wait.

So far I have emptied and cleaned the 150 gal in my kitchen.
The tank has 3 400Watt MH pendants from its previous life as a freshwater planted tank. I bought 10,000k bulbs for them once they go back on. I have one 50 lbs cylinder under it. I can probably use it for calcium now. I need to figure out some controler for it, because as of now the valve gets its juice from the light timer for plants. I'm wiring up 96w pc's since I need atinic too now.

My freind 's LFS has ordered me enough live sand (he told me what I needed). 125 LBS. Cured live rock and 75 lbs. of cured base rock. And dr. somebody whos chemical thats like $35 a bottle (60 gal treatment per bottle)

Im trying to figure out what I want to use for filtration and water flows. My canisters wont be good for the new app. I have xtra tanks in the basement. I was thinking of putting a 55 gal refugium. But thats really the most Ive got into it so far. Im thinking up a good sump design. Just researching......alot. Think twice do once cry less.

A good Idea of what will be in there would help me to figure out who would be best for cycling. I dont believe that magic juice will insta cycle my tank, I have had no success with snake oils in my fresh water setups.

Any other suggestions you have are greatly appretiated!
I guess I should just forget about the lion. LOL