Clean Up Crew and Fish List

Meadowlark · 06/18/2007, 01:04 AM

I'm moving right along. Have my protein skimmer hooked up and added a couple of power heads over the weekend. I finally get my live rock tomorrow or Tuesday and have built a pvc rack for it to go on. I have to clean and then cycle the live rock and will be following that closely. I'm starting to look ahead at the types and amounts of fish I would like to get. Here is what I would like to have eventually but not right away. (within a year or so).

Percula Clowns x 3
Yellow Tang (small)
Hepatus Tang
Flame Angel

Does this list look ok for my 55 gallon?
Do I need a clean up crew?
What clean up crew would be best?

murfman · 06/18/2007, 03:35 AM

Why 3 clowns? I would go with a mated pair or start with one and then add a smaller one later. The tangs will outgrow the tank, in time. For a clean up crew, get some Astrea snails, a few turbos and a bunch of blue and red legged hermit crabs.

I don't use PVC stands for my rock. I place my rock and then pour the sand in around it. Another option is using egg crate for the rock but if you are going to put any kind of digging fish, i.e sand sifting gobies or wrasses, egg crate is not a good idea.

gummi · 06/18/2007, 06:40 AM

3 clowns may fight. your tank is technically too small for 1 tang let alone too.

You are moving WAY too fast... slow down and get your equpiment running first. once you get this add all the live rock you can afford and let it cycle. if it's uncuraed rock you shouldn't put anything in that tank for at least 6 weeks or so. if it's cured... maybe 2 weeks depending on what your levels look like.

Everyone needs a cleanup crew. It's personal preference. I'd say a variety of snails - nassarius snails are a must. crabs are hit or miss. I personally like the blue legged hermits. very interesting. turbo snails are great too.

kevin2000 · 06/18/2007, 08:07 AM

As others have said ... 3 clowns is a no-no. BTW clowns will do fine solo .. if you go with two make sure they are the same species.

Your tank is too young and too small for tangs.

A dwarf angels is great for that sized tank ... however they will do better if you allow your tank to mature a bit.

cowboyswife · 06/18/2007, 08:34 AM

Yup, just like the others said, nix the 3 clowns, and there is no way a 55 is big enough for even one tang, let alone the 2 that you want to get. There are other very cool fish that stay small enough to be happy in that size tank. My husband has a 55, and his cleanup crew contains blue legged hermits, nass. snails, turbo snails, 3 peppermint shrimp, and a few mexican turbo snails.

06/18/2007, 01:04 AM	#1
Meadowlark Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 103	Clean Up Crew and Fish List I'm moving right along. Have my protein skimmer hooked up and added a couple of power heads over the weekend. I finally get my live rock tomorrow or Tuesday and have built a pvc rack for it to go on. I have to clean and then cycle the live rock and will be following that closely. I'm starting to look ahead at the types and amounts of fish I would like to get. Here is what I would like to have eventually but not right away. (within a year or so). Percula Clowns x 3 Yellow Tang (small) Hepatus Tang Flame Angel Does this list look ok for my 55 gallon? Do I need a clean up crew? What clean up crew would be best?

06/18/2007, 08:34 AM	#5
cowboyswife Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 2,187	Yup, just like the others said, nix the 3 clowns, and there is no way a 55 is big enough for even one tang, let alone the 2 that you want to get. There are other very cool fish that stay small enough to be happy in that size tank. My husband has a 55, and his cleanup crew contains blue legged hermits, nass. snails, turbo snails, 3 peppermint shrimp, and a few mexican turbo snails. __________________ "The voice of the sea speaks to the soul." - Kate Chopin ~Becca Current Tank Info: Out of the hobby for the time being. But Im sticking around anyway!

06/18/2007, 03:35 AM	#2
murfman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4,670	Why 3 clowns? I would go with a mated pair or start with one and then add a smaller one later. The tangs will outgrow the tank, in time. For a clean up crew, get some Astrea snails, a few turbos and a bunch of blue and red legged hermit crabs. I don't use PVC stands for my rock. I place my rock and then pour the sand in around it. Another option is using egg crate for the rock but if you are going to put any kind of digging fish, i.e sand sifting gobies or wrasses, egg crate is not a good idea.

06/18/2007, 06:40 AM	#3
gummi Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brampton, ON Posts: 282	3 clowns may fight. your tank is technically too small for 1 tang let alone too. You are moving WAY too fast... slow down and get your equpiment running first. once you get this add all the live rock you can afford and let it cycle. if it's uncuraed rock you shouldn't put anything in that tank for at least 6 weeks or so. if it's cured... maybe 2 weeks depending on what your levels look like. Everyone needs a cleanup crew. It's personal preference. I'd say a variety of snails - nassarius snails are a must. crabs are hit or miss. I personally like the blue legged hermits. very interesting. turbo snails are great too.

06/18/2007, 08:07 AM	#4
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	As others have said ... 3 clowns is a no-no. BTW clowns will do fine solo .. if you go with two make sure they are the same species. Your tank is too young and too small for tangs. A dwarf angels is great for that sized tank ... however they will do better if you allow your tank to mature a bit.