Tank overstocked?

M0oN · 04/06/2009, 08:43 PM

I've got a buddy with a 60 gallon, it's got roughly 70 lbs. of live rock in it, various corals - two BTA's and the following:
1 yellow tang
4 firefish
2 green chromis
1 red scooter blenny
2 lyretail anthias

I think he's borderline and will need a lot of water changes, I'm trying to convince him to pull the anthias as I think their feeding habbits will foul the water more.

Any input from more experienced reefers?

Rouselb · 04/06/2009, 08:48 PM

It could be fine with a really good skimmer, weekly water changes, and consistent husbandry. Watch the nits.

unbreakable · 04/06/2009, 08:50 PM

might push it with that tang but doesnt look bad. 7 of those fish are really small.. but i wouldnt encourage him to add anymore

OceanDweller · 04/06/2009, 08:50 PM

the list is fine depending on the size of the yellow tang. I would want adequate filtration though and would really want a sump on the system if it was me and a protein skimmer or large refugium. The extra water will help the bio-load. The firefish are really low bioload and the same with the scooter blenny. The chromis may get big but will take forever to do so if not already as well as the anthias. If the yellow tangs large I would consider moving/trading for a couple of wrasses or a couple more anthias.

Rouselb · 04/06/2009, 08:55 PM

Hopefully the yellow is still small. Mine is not that large, and not a big swimmer. Wrasse are sweet, i have many, but they love to swim all over. I think your good. Just keep an eye on the nutrients, and buy a good skimmer!!

Ocean - what type of zoas are those?? They look sweet.

Anemonebuff · 04/06/2009, 08:55 PM

It's a bit tight for the anthias' as well. They like some swim space too. A big skimmer will help, but the anthias' and the tank will begin to feel cramped.

M0oN · 04/06/2009, 09:04 PM

Yellow tang is a little guy, he's also got a female gold striped maroon clown I didn't mention.

I think I'm going to talk him into netting out the anthias and taking them back in - nice as they are I don't think they belong in anything under 5' long either.

04/06/2009, 08:43 PM	#1
M0oN Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Artesia, CA Posts: 419	Tank overstocked? I've got a buddy with a 60 gallon, it's got roughly 70 lbs. of live rock in it, various corals - two BTA's and the following: 1 yellow tang 4 firefish 2 green chromis 1 red scooter blenny 2 lyretail anthias I think he's borderline and will need a lot of water changes, I'm trying to convince him to pull the anthias as I think their feeding habbits will foul the water more. Any input from more experienced reefers?

04/06/2009, 08:48 PM	#2
Rouselb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Detroit Michigan Posts: 1,238	It could be fine with a really good skimmer, weekly water changes, and consistent husbandry. Watch the nits. __________________ Larry Current Tank Info: 425g Mixed Reef, (6) Orphek LED mods, (4) MP60s, (2) Bubble King SM250 Skimmer, LMIII for Dose & ATO

04/06/2009, 08:50 PM	#3
unbreakable D: Join Date: May 2007 Location: ? Posts: 2,868	might push it with that tang but doesnt look bad. 7 of those fish are really small.. but i wouldnt encourage him to add anymore __________________ INTERNET= Serious Business!

04/06/2009, 08:50 PM	#4
OceanDweller Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Longview Texas Posts: 294	the list is fine depending on the size of the yellow tang. I would want adequate filtration though and would really want a sump on the system if it was me and a protein skimmer or large refugium. The extra water will help the bio-load. The firefish are really low bioload and the same with the scooter blenny. The chromis may get big but will take forever to do so if not already as well as the anthias. If the yellow tangs large I would consider moving/trading for a couple of wrasses or a couple more anthias. __________________ Brad

04/06/2009, 08:55 PM	#5
Rouselb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Detroit Michigan Posts: 1,238	Hopefully the yellow is still small. Mine is not that large, and not a big swimmer. Wrasse are sweet, i have many, but they love to swim all over. I think your good. Just keep an eye on the nutrients, and buy a good skimmer!! Ocean - what type of zoas are those?? They look sweet. __________________ Larry Current Tank Info: 425g Mixed Reef, (6) Orphek LED mods, (4) MP60s, (2) Bubble King SM250 Skimmer, LMIII for Dose & ATO

04/06/2009, 08:55 PM	#6
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	It's a bit tight for the anthias' as well. They like some swim space too. A big skimmer will help, but the anthias' and the tank will begin to feel cramped.

04/06/2009, 09:04 PM	#7
M0oN Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Artesia, CA Posts: 419	Yellow tang is a little guy, he's also got a female gold striped maroon clown I didn't mention. I think I'm going to talk him into netting out the anthias and taking them back in - nice as they are I don't think they belong in anything under 5' long either.