PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[GDDYUP]

Awesome thread!

I have a 90 gallon FOWLR right now. Currently switching over from a leftover wet/dry Bio-ball filter to a sump/fuge/skimmer setup. I have approx. 70lbs of LR in the tank which I plan to increase to approx. 100lbs within the next 60 days as I swap out filtration methods.

Right now I have 1 dogface puffer (approx. 4"), 1 black spotted Foxface (approx 3-4"), 1 blue tang (approx. 4"), and 1 black-and-white clownfish (approx. 2-3"). CUC is very weak with only 10 hermits and 10 snails. Tank parameters are within normal ranges without any horrible blooms or problems. Everyone in the tank seems happy and content right now.

Going forward, what fish/corals etc. would be nice to introduce into this size tank with the current bio-load? I'm just getting into the bigger tanks and starting to grasp all the intricacies of having a nice saltwater setup. How big could I go with the bio-load I currently have? What would work well and look nice in this style tank?

Any and all opinions and comments are welcome! I'm learning a LOT from everyone here and look forward to sharing my experiences as I travel down this road. Thank you all for your time and effort!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by GDDYUP

Awesome thread!

I have a 90 gallon FOWLR right now. Currently switching over from a leftover wet/dry Bio-ball filter to a sump/fuge/skimmer setup. I have approx. 70lbs of LR in the tank which I plan to increase to approx. 100lbs within the next 60 days as I swap out filtration methods.

Right now I have 1 dogface puffer (approx. 4"), 1 black spotted Foxface (approx 3-4"), 1 blue tang (approx. 4"), and 1 black-and-white clownfish (approx. 2-3"). CUC is very weak with only 10 hermits and 10 snails. Tank parameters are within normal ranges without any horrible blooms or problems. Everyone in the tank seems happy and content right now.

Going forward, what fish/corals etc. would be nice to introduce into this size tank with the current bio-load? I'm just getting into the bigger tanks and starting to grasp all the intricacies of having a nice saltwater setup. How big could I go with the bio-load I currently have? What would work well and look nice in this style tank?

Any and all opinions and comments are welcome! I'm learning a LOT from everyone here and look forward to sharing my experiences as I travel down this road. Thank you all for your time and effort!

Well you have three "larger" fish that will grow larger still. While I think that puffer is fascinating (and one of my favorites), it is also a source of a fair amount of waste as they love to eat. I would advise stabilizing your current system, increasing clean up crew (and diversifying it) but this thread is primarily about fish so I don't pretend to advise on that matter.

[Jlobo]

I am a total newbie to the saltwater world. I bought an Eclipse 12 gal saltwater kit and set it up 2 weeks ago. I'm having a little trouble with temperature stability though because the ambient temp in my house goes down 2 degrees every night so I'm getting a fluctuation on my tank thermometer between 78 - 80 degrees. The tank is not located near a heat register. Will that harm the fish after they've been added? I haven't put any live critters in yet since I'm waiting for the cycle process (I've read and been told that patience is the key here). I will begin with some hermit crabs in a couple of weeks, and then add some snails a week later or so. My ultimate goal is to have a nice little home for a clown goby and a lawnmower blenny. I'm nervous about the blenny though because I've seen some conflicting info on them online. Part of me thinks they might do better in a larger reef tank and I only have a few pieces of live rock in my tank. I will add just a few more but I hadn't planned on a reef, mainly just fish only. I need any and all suggestions since I'm so new to all of this. Thanks!!

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Jlobo

I am a total newbie to the saltwater world. I bought an Eclipse 12 gal saltwater kit and set it up 2 weeks ago. I'm having a little trouble with temperature stability though because the ambient temp in my house goes down 2 degrees every night so I'm getting a fluctuation on my tank thermometer between 78 - 80 degrees. The tank is not located near a heat register. Will that harm the fish after they've been added? I haven't put any live critters in yet since I'm waiting for the cycle process (I've read and been told that patience is the key here). I will begin with some hermit crabs in a couple of weeks, and then add some snails a week later or so. My ultimate goal is to have a nice little home for a clown goby and a lawnmower blenny. I'm nervous about the blenny though because I've seen some conflicting info on them online. Part of me thinks they might do better in a larger reef tank and I only have a few pieces of live rock in my tank. I will add just a few more but I hadn't planned on a reef, mainly just fish only. I need any and all suggestions since I'm so new to all of this. Thanks!!

I wouldn't worry about the temps going from 78-80 degrees -- mine goes from 76-83 depending on the time of day/year.

I would skip the lawnmower blenny, they don't always eat prepared foods, and there wouldn't be enough algae in your tank.

[Jlobo]

Okay, thank you. I didn't think that was a very big fluctuation but I have 2 aquarium books that both say if there is any variability in the salt/temp at all that you will kill everything. I thought it sounded a little overkill. I also saw that someone had suggested a pistol shrimp/goby combo that sounds cool to me. I have a 2 inch layer of coral sand in my tank. Would that work?

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Jlobo

Okay, thank you. I didn't think that was a very big fluctuation but I have 2 aquarium books that both say if there is any variability in the salt/temp at all that you will kill everything. I thought it sounded a little overkill. I also saw that someone had suggested a pistol shrimp/goby combo that sounds cool to me. I have a 2 inch layer of coral sand in my tank. Would that work?

My tanks have had temp swings for years -- I believe it is beneficial -- and they are doing great.

I think a shrimp goby pair would be great for that tank -- could even get a pair of gobies with the shrimp -- though I would stick with just those.

[Jlobo]

Okay great! Sorry, I have lots of questions. I started my tank with dechlorinated tap water and now I'm learning that is a big no,no. Will I kill my critters when I go to add them in a few weeks since I used tap water? Can I just do some water changes using distilled before then? Also, is live sand necessary?
So, I could get a couple of, as an example, Watchmen gobies and the shrimp and then that's all you would put in? Any other inverts?

[snorvich]

I will let Todd answer your questions, however, I strongly suggest RO/DI water if your are going to be in this hobby. Please solve your water problem before going further. Most of us have our own in home system as it is the most cost effective and reliable in the long run.

[Toddrtrex]

I have to agree with Steve, I would get the water situation fixed first -- learned the hard way. I don't think you will kill everything, but you could very well have algae issue. I find it best to start with a clean slate.

Depends on what you mean by "inverts" too broad of a term, if you should add more.

[MOOSE1504]

Talked to the LFS last night and i was told that if your going to put a Tang in a tank you want to make it your last fish in beacsue it will bully anything else put in after it. Is this correct

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by MOOSE1504

Talked to the LFS last night and i was told that if your going to put a Tang in a tank you want to make it your last fish in beacsue it will bully anything else put in after it. Is this correct

I have been trying to say away from general statements -- since there are exceptions, and usually don't have all the info -- but, in general I would have to agree with that statement.

An example of an exception -- if you were going to have a clown trigger in a tank, I would make sure that was the last fish, as opposed to a tang.

[MOOSE1504]

Thanks Todd

[Jlobo]

Okay. I only have a 12 gal so I'm having trouble justifying spending hundreds on a RO/DI system so I may just go with doing water changes using distilled water down the road. By inverts I meant other shrimp, hermits, snails, etc....since I won't be adding corals.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jlobo

Okay. I only have a 12 gal so I'm having trouble justifying spending hundreds on a RO/DI system so I may just go with doing water changes using distilled water down the road. By inverts I meant other shrimp, hermits, snails, etc....since I won't be adding corals.

Well, most LFS also sell water either fresh RO/DI or salt. But you need to test that water to see what you are getting.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by MOOSE1504

Talked to the LFS last night and i was told that if your going to put a Tang in a tank you want to make it your last fish in beacsue it will bully anything else put in after it. Is this correct

As Todd says, generalities are undesirable. The rule generally is to add your most aggressive fish last. The problem is that some fish are so aggressive that keeping them is problematical to begin with.

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Jlobo

Okay. I only have a 12 gal so I'm having trouble justifying spending hundreds on a RO/DI system so I may just go with doing water changes using distilled water down the road. By inverts I meant other shrimp, hermits, snails, etc....since I won't be adding corals.

I did the distilled route for a while, when I just had a 10 gallon going -- it quickly became a PITA. Like Steve mentioned, an LFS should have RO/DI water, but make sure to test the TDS of it, some can be great, and some can be awful.

I THINK that a cleaner shrimp would be fine with a pistol shrimp but not 100% sure -- will let you know in about a couple of months when I get mine. As for snails, make sure to start off with just one or 2 -- better to have to add more, as oppose to having too many and having them starve to death. Hermit crabs -- they can go after snails for their shells, so keep that in mind. I have a couple in my tanks and they haven't caused issues, but just be aware that they can.

[GQJake81]

i have a 41g DT. 24tx24wx18front to back. 57 gallons of water. 20 gallon sump with DSB fuge with chaeto.

i currently have, 1 pistol shrimp, 1 randall's goby, 1 coral beauty, 1 yellow wrasse, 2 clowns, 1 firefish, 1 yellow clown goby, 1 turbo snail, 1 zebra snail, 1 feather duster.

question is, think i'm full on bio-load? or you think i could get a mandarin goby and a paired emperor shrimp with a small sea cucumber?

i kinda want the sea cucumber to move my sand around. the pistol shrimp moves a lot, but not enough.

and the fiancee wants the mandarin. i know they are finicky eaters, and i think i would have enough pods for them to eat.

just kickin it around, thought i would get some input.

[Pittman]

Can anyone tell me of a Canadian Website for Fish Purchases? Maybe one that someone has used and have found to provide healthy fish?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by GQJake81

i have a 41g DT. 24tx24wx18front to back. 57 gallons of water. 20 gallon sump with DSB fuge with chaeto.

i currently have, 1 pistol shrimp, 1 randall's goby, 1 coral beauty, 1 yellow wrasse, 2 clowns, 1 firefish, 1 yellow clown goby, 1 turbo snail, 1 zebra snail, 1 feather duster.

question is, think i'm full on bio-load? or you think i could get a mandarin goby and a paired emperor shrimp with a small sea cucumber?

i kinda want the sea cucumber to move my sand around. the pistol shrimp moves a lot, but not enough.

and the fiancee wants the mandarin. i know they are finicky eaters, and i think i would have enough pods for them to eat.

just kickin it around, thought i would get some input.

A mandarin would likely starve to death in your tank unless you are prepared to spot feed multiple times per day. It can be done, but most likely will not work. And, by the way, they are not gobies, they are dragonettes.

You are actually pretty full up at the moment. In the long run, those clowns may take over the entire tank and harass your firefish. When clowns get sexually mature, they can be very aggressive. Some clowns are worse than others.

While the symbiosis of the emperor shrimp is fascinating, it is likely they will not survive in your sized tank (or that of most aquarists). I don't think your tank is of sufficient size for a cucumber.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Pittman

Can anyone tell me of a Canadian Website for Fish Purchases? Maybe one that someone has used and have found to provide healthy fish?

Please post in the Reef Fish forum for best answers. This thread and this forum are not the best chance for an answer.

[GDDYUP]

Snorvich... Thank you for your time and advice! I appreciate it! I'll get this tank sorted out and work on diversifying some of the CUCs in the tank.

[zach jay]

I'm looking to populate my 50g frag tub and 55g "sump" (they're connected, but as far as a sump goes, there's just a bunch of equipment and LR, no baffles). The frag tub has zoas, leathers, lps, and some sps. The 55g just has some macroalgae. The fish I've been looking at are the following:

auriga butterfly
lemonpeel angel
purple dottyback
midas blenny
bicolor dottyback
purple pseudochromis

I checked all on liveaquaria (most likely where I'd be getting them) and I think all are suitable for 50 gallons. My question is, where would I place each fish, based on the corals and how they co-habit with each other. Or any other recommendations? Also, the frag tub isn't covered (55 isn't filled completely, about 3in from top), are any of those notorious jumpers?

Also, I've always liked fish that schooled together- chromis, cardinals. If anyone has suggestions as to removing a few of the above for some of those that school, send your input! Thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by zach jay

I'm looking to populate my 50g frag tub and 55g "sump" (they're connected, but as far as a sump goes, there's just a bunch of equipment and LR, no baffles). The frag tub has zoas, leathers, lps, and some sps. The 55g just has some macroalgae. The fish I've been looking at are the following:

auriga butterfly Excellent fish but not reef safe
lemonpeel angel A grazer that needs algae; also not reef safe
purple dottyback Very aggressive fish
midas blenny
bicolor dottyback Two pseudochromis/dottybacks won't work
purple pseudochromis Pseudochromis/dottybacks are the same

I checked all on liveaquaria (most likely where I'd be getting them) and I think all are suitable for 50 gallons. My question is, where would I place each fish, based on the corals and how they co-habit with each other. Or any other recommendations? Also, the frag tub isn't covered (55 isn't filled completely, about 3in from top), are any of those notorious jumpers?

All fish can jump and with aggressive dottybacks, the likelihood increases

Also, I've always liked fish that schooled together- chromis, cardinals. If anyone has suggestions as to removing a few of the above for some of those that school, send your input! Thanks!

No fish will school in your sized tank or for that matter most normal sized aquaria; but for a loose aggregation, you can look at various cardinal fish

[zach jay]

Originally Posted by snorvich

No fish will school in your sized tank or for that matter most normal sized aquaria; but for a loose aggregation, you can look at various cardinal fish

thanks for the quick response!

I'll take out the dottybacks. do you think I could add the midas blenny to the coral tub along with some cardinals (or maybe 2-3 chromis? I'd rather a few swimming fish than stationary cardinals)? as well as adding the butterfly and the angel to the 55g? or would the angel and butterfly fight each other? thanks again!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by zach jay

thanks for the quick response!

I'll take out the dottybacks. do you think I could add the midas blenny to the coral tub along with some cardinals (or maybe 2-3 chromis? I'd rather a few swimming fish than stationary cardinals)? as well as adding the butterfly and the angel to the 55g? or would the angel and butterfly fight each other? thanks again!

This blenny will appreciate a minimum tank of 30 gallons or larger with numerous rocks on which to perch. Sometimes, the Midas Blenny will vex small planktivores and has been known to nip at firefish and gobies. Larger tanks are advantageous as many of the Midas Blenny's aggressive behavior traits seem to relate to a confining tank situation.

Unlike most blennies, the Midas Blenny requires a meaty diet including finely chopped crustacean flesh, mysis and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, along with frozen herbivorous preparations, micro and blue-green algae.

I do not think the Auriga and angel will have interaction; the Auriga is the less aggressive of the two but is one of my favorite butterfly fish (I have one)

Chromis tend to weed out the weakest until there is just one. If you truly want swimming interaction, and can feed at least twice per day, I recommend resplendent anthias.