Newbie

[Latinagirl629]

Hello Everyone!

I need some guidance and help here, relatively new to the hobby. I currently have a 180 gallon tank 72x24x24 aquarium with a Red Sea C-Skim Protein Skimmer 1800, refugium sump with wetdry bio filter I believe I have one of at least 40 gallon and another of 10-15 gallons- (not 100% sure), chiller, coralife 18w uv sterilizer, and over 125lb of live rock-pretty well stocked.

Now this is the scenario, I had this setup back May- I purchased the tank used and tank came with a large yellow tang and gray yellowtail damsel. I then added 2 clownfish and 2 damsels that were sold to me as chromis. I then introduced a vlamingi, powder blue tang, scopas and Mimic Eibli tang- this is when the ICH nightmare started.

With instructions of the LFS I was treating the tank with Kick Ich- with no success the Ich got worse and slowly started losing in this order the fish:

Vlamingi
Mimic Eibli
Powder Blue Tang
Damsel

I have completely cleared the tank of all fish and have it running with just my corals:

Torch
Gonfora
Large Xenia
Flowerpot

I have done a water change of approximately 85%. Now my question is what would be the best way to begin establishing my tank to have its for fish- I was thinking of leaving the tank just on corals for approximately 10-12 weeks and of course QT all my fish when the time comes.

This was a very difficult learning experience, but rest assured I have learned to QT.

Would I be able to add corals in these few weeks, please shed some knowledge and help me stock up correctly in a reasonable manner.

As you can see based on my fish purchases I love Tangs and would like to have tangs again in the future.

I would also need assistance in learning in what order I should stock my fishes once again.

I'm very open to all suggestions/opinions/ etc.

How many fishes can I stock in a 180 gallon reef aquarium?

I would like to eventually add small and large fishes preferably tangs, can anyone help in suggesting what I could stock up with to ensure I don't stress out one another by adding them in the incorrect order.

Some of the fishes I would like to have are:

2 clowns
Blue Hippo
Yellow tang
Vlamingi
Mimic Tang
Powder Blue


Any suggestions on small colorful non aggressive fishes ?

Should corals also be QT'ed? How do you recommend setting up a Quarantine tank? Can I use a biocube 29 gallon as a Quarantine tank?

Thank you and sorry for the EXTREMELY LONG post

[nlgill13]

I would get a QT with a HOB filter from petco during their $1 a gallon sale (if possible). a 30g is probably sufficient.

Like you said keep the tank fish-less for 10 weeks. Also make sure the fish are cured of ich before adding them back. Here is a great thread about ich:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1985626

[Latinagirl629]

Originally Posted by nlgill13

I would get a QT with a HOB filter from petco during their $1 a gallon sale (if possible). a 30g is probably sufficient.

Like you said keep the tank fish-less for 10 weeks. Also make sure the fish are cured of ich before adding them back. Here is a great thread about ich:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1985626

I no longer have any fish- the few I did have I decided to turn them in to my LFS.

I'm starting from scratch and would like to start off on the right foot.!

[Sugar Magnolia]

To Reef Central

I'd recommend re-stocking very slowly. Of the tangs you have listed that you would like to add, there are only three that are suitable for your tank size. The vlamingi and the hippo tangs need much larger tanks. Have a look here - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007

Sorry you had to learn about tangs and ich the hard way. Be sure to read thoroughly about proper QT procedures before you purchase any more fish. Good luck!

[thegrun]

Keeping multiple tangs in the same tank is difficult and care needs to be taken when selecting the species. Some of the tangs you listed are very aggessive towards other tangs although they usually do not bother other fish. The Hippo Tang (your tank is not large enough) and the Powder Blue Tang are both very aggressive and should be avaoided if you plan on keeping multiples. Check out Live Aquaria, they have good information on the tangs you listed: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/a...t=1&page_num=1

[Latinagirl629]

Originally Posted by thegrun

Keeping multiple tangs in the same tank is difficult and care needs to be taken when selecting the species. Some of the tangs you listed are very aggessive towards other tangs although they usually do not bother other fish. The Hippo Tang (your tank is not large enough) and the Powder Blue Tang are both very aggressive and should be avaoided if you plan on keeping multiples. Check out Live Aquaria, they have good information on the tangs you listed: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/a...t=1&page_num=1

Thank you, even if I decide to transfer to a larger tank when they get larger I wouldn't be able to house it in my 180gallon?

[Latinagirl629]

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

To Reef Central

I'd recommend re-stocking very slowly. Of the tangs you have listed that you would like to add, there are only three that are suitable for your tank size. The vlamingi and the hippo tangs need much larger tanks. Have a look here - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007

Sorry you had to learn about tangs and ich the hard way. Be sure to read thoroughly about proper QT procedures before you purchase any more fish. Good luck!

Thank you, yes ICH has been a nightmare- I have decided to go fish less for a while. Does this mean I can not add corals while waiting out the 10 weeks?

[u00bdl1]

i agree with greendougan.

[Latinagirl629]

Any suggestions on what to do to ensure all my parameters are good to begin establishing for purchase of new corals?

I want to do this right. Thanks in advance.


I did a good 85% water change on my tank after the ich outbreak and its fish less.