PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mspake86

How about a mimic saddle puffer? And the royal gamma basslet

a royal gramma is fine, a mimic valenti may be aggressive at times, nipping the fins of tank mates, leaving a circular hole as its mark. It will also eat invertebrates found in a reef tank.

[lolgranny]

Hey guys

Display is 180 gallon, roughly 300 gallons total. The tank has a 125 gallon sump, 40 gallon frag tank and a 40 gallon cryptic zone. The sump has a 20" x 14" x 10" area with a DBS and a bunch of lr rubble.

Skimmer - SRO 5000 int with a avast swabby
Running Gfo in a deltek reactor and carbon in another.
Have roughly 300 lbs of live rock which has been in a system for over 3 years and will be adding another 80. The display will have minimal rock work, I don't like he look of the wall.
I will have about 1/2" of sand in the display for the wrasses.
Doing 30 gallon water changes every week, changing carbon and Gfo out every 2.5 weeks.
I might add a bio pellet reactor down the road, but I've been pretty lucky with no no3 or po4 problems in previous tanks

As for my stock list here is what I'm thinking so far

Inverts....
30 or so Nass snails
20 creith snails
A serpent star
Another star, maybe a blue or orange one
Possible a conch for the sand
4 peppermint shrimp
A couple emerald crabs
2 cleaner shrimp

Fish...
8-12 anthias, maybe bartletts or loris
7-9 Chromis , the basic blue and green or Acares midget Chromis
2 platinum clownfish
1 sargassum triggerfish
1 Sohal tang, I was told no no noooo for this because it's overly aggressive
1 Achilles tang
1 chevron or purple
Trio of flasher wrasses
Pair or trio of fairy wrasses
Coris wrasse
Melanarus wrasse
Bi color Benny
Sand sifting goby

I think I'll keep out a trio of wrasses truthfully. The anthias and Chromis are smaller so I figured since I have a lot of fish they won't add a ton to the bio load.

Thoughts on how you would add them to the tank first 2 nd 3 rd... Ect ect

Thanks for all the help fellas
Dave

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lolgranny

Hey guys

This thread is answered by RC staff, in this case, me

Display is 180 gallon, roughly 300 gallons total. The tank has a 125 gallon sump, 40 gallon frag tank and a 40 gallon cryptic zone. The sump has a 20" x 14" x 10" area with a DBS and a bunch of lr rubble.

Skimmer - SRO 5000 int with a avast swabby
Running Gfo in a deltek reactor and carbon in another.
Have roughly 300 lbs of live rock which has been in a system for over 3 years and will be adding another 80. The display will have minimal rock work, I don't like he look of the wall.
I will have about 1/2" of sand in the display for the wrasses.
Doing 30 gallon water changes every week, changing carbon and Gfo out every 2.5 weeks.
I might add a bio pellet reactor down the road, but I've been pretty lucky with no no3 or po4 problems in previous tanks

As for my stock list here is what I'm thinking so far

Inverts....
30 or so Nass snails
20 creith snails
A serpent star
Another star, maybe a blue or orange one
Possible a conch for the sand
4 peppermint shrimp
A couple emerald crabs can take fish when hungry, I would avoid
2 cleaner shrimp

Fish...
8-12 anthias, maybe bartletts or loris bartlett's have a tendency to convert to males over time, Lori is gorgeous but is one of those requiring multiple feedings per day
7-9 Chromis , the basic blue and green or Acares midget Chromis

chromis, over time will winnow down to one or two

2 platinum clownfish
1 sargassum triggerfish
1 Sohal tang, I was told no no noooo for this because it's overly aggressive I strongly recommend against this fish; mean and aggressive
1 Achilles tang
1 chevron or purple chevron is excellent, purple can be aggressive
Trio of flasher wrasses
Pair or trio of fairy wrasses
Coris wrasse
Melanarus wrasse
Bi color Benny
Sand sifting goby will create sand storms and deplete your sand bed of desirable organisms, then starve

You have a LOT of fish in a tank that is only moderate in size, I suggest fewer

I think I'll keep out a trio of wrasses truthfully. The anthias and Chromis are smaller so I figured since I have a lot of fish they won't add a ton to the bio load. well, lori get to be almost 5 inches, eat a lot with the corresponding bioload usage

Thoughts on how you would add them to the tank first 2 nd 3 rd... Ect ect Always most aggressive last, most gentle first

Thanks for all the help fellas
Dave

[lolgranny]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the input!

I will stay away from the Sohal as I thought I would end up doing. Just wanted some added input

What anthias would u suggest if it was yourself, or what would u reccomend number wise for bartletts to keep them all from changing to males. Ideally , as most would want is one male and a bunch of females. I prefer them over loris and I hear both are fairly easy to keep. I will be feeding in the am, and 2 times during the day with a auto feeder so hopefully that will be enough. I can always up it.

Chromis are weird, I agree. I had 5 in my 75 g and have had 3 for years now. I want a lot of activity so I thought a lot of the smaller fish would look cool. Do they always end up dwindling down or is there a magic number or even a ideall one?

I plan on having a shallow sand bed so I want to make sure I don't get a lot of debris fought up in there. Do u have any suggestions on top of what I have to avoid having to cleaning the sand often. I'm use to having bare bottom, but wrasses like the sand so I want to have them happy.

Thanks again I appreciate any input

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lolgranny

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the input!

I will stay away from the Sohal as I thought I would end up doing. Just wanted some added input

What anthias would u suggest if it was yourself,

I like resplendent or carberryi but if you are willing to deal with the feeding requirements, Evansi are gorgeous

or what would u reccomend number wise for bartletts to keep them all from changing to males.

No recommended number

Ideally , as most would want is one male and a bunch of females. I prefer them over loris and I hear both are fairly easy to keep.

Correct

I will be feeding in the am, and 2 times during the day with a auto feeder so hopefully that will be enough. I can always up it.

getting anthias on pellets requires a bit of work

Chromis are weird, I agree. I had 5 in my 75 g and have had 3 for years now. I want a lot of activity so I thought a lot of the smaller fish would look cool. Do they always end up dwindling down or is there a magic number or even a ideall one?

there is no ideal number.

I plan on having a shallow sand bed so I want to make sure I don't get a lot of debris fought up in there. Do u have any suggestions on top of what I have to avoid having to cleaning the sand often. I'm use to having bare bottom, but wrasses like the sand so I want to have them happy.

fairy and flasher wrasses do not require sand but your other wrasses do. Fighting conch are excellent for keeping the sand clean

Thanks again I appreciate any input

[gsiegel]

I posted this somewhere else in this forum but figured it may be better suited here. I am in the processing of purchasing a large - 310 gallon saltwater fish aquarium and want as much feedback as I can get. I have very little experience but want to do this 1 time w/o regrets later. I will have a service come in every month (likely more often initially) and I will do the relatively simple maintenance otherwise. I was also told the feeding schedule should be 2x/week.Here is what the plan is so far:

Here are the specs for the set up - please comment:
310 Gallon Starphire Tank 80 x 30 x 30
LC 400 Gallon Wet Dry Filter
SE Reeflo Snapper 2500 GPH Pump
13 bags of Bimini Pink Sand
CL 36W Turbo Twist UV Sterilizer
Sup Mag 3 Drive Water Pump
AI Sol White Lighting (4 of them for this tank) - do you recommend the white or the blue???
AI Sol/Nano Base Controller
Living Color from Fort Lauderdale (who is on the other TV show - not Tanked) - is constructing artificial reef structures which will also hide the pipes in the tank

I know to add the fish slowly but ultimately am looking at adding a combination of some of these (of course not all) fish:
Blue spotted ray (my kids really want this)
White spotted or brown banded bamboo shark
Panther grouper
Comet
Hawkfish- flame, long nose
Spinecheeks - blue whip tail
*Angels - likely a couple smaller and larger ones added as juveniles together for cohesiveness?; small - bi-color, flame, coral beauty, bellus, blue spotted; larger- scribbled, blue, queen, emperor, tellow bar, blue faced
Clownfish (of course have to have Nemo for the kids)
Wrasse- ie: scott's fairy, exquisite fairy, solar fairy, ornate, 6-lined, moon, rainbow
Spotted mandarin, green mandarin fish
Surgeonfish-Achilles Tang and Powder Blue Tang (my 2 favorites), sailfin tang, purple tang, unicorn tang
Maybe a less aggressive trigger such as a blue chin or cross hatch (love the Clown but understand they may be more aggressive)
Pufferfish (love the personality traits I have heard of)

Fortunately I have some means to do this but I want to do this right 1 time. Other thoughts on other stunning fish to add? Other suggestions?

Thanks so much from this newbie, 1st posting member!

[gsiegel]

Originally Posted by gsiegel

I posted this somewhere else in this forum but figured it may be better suited here. I am in the processing of purchasing a large - 310 gallon saltwater fish aquarium and want as much feedback as I can get. I have very little experience but want to do this 1 time w/o regrets later. I will have a service come in every month (likely more often initially) and I will do the relatively simple maintenance otherwise. I was also told the feeding schedule should be 2x/week.Here is what the plan is so far:

Here are the specs for the set up - please comment:
310 Gallon Starphire Tank 80 x 30 x 30
LC 400 Gallon Wet Dry Filter
SE Reeflo Snapper 2500 GPH Pump
13 bags of Bimini Pink Sand
CL 36W Turbo Twist UV Sterilizer
Sup Mag 3 Drive Water Pump
AI Sol White Lighting (4 of them for this tank) - do you recommend the white or the blue???
AI Sol/Nano Base Controller
Living Color from Fort Lauderdale (who is on the other TV show - not Tanked) - is constructing artificial reef structures which will also hide the pipes in the tank

I know to add the fish slowly but ultimately am looking at adding a combination of some of these (of course not all) fish:
Blue spotted ray (my kids really want this)
White spotted or brown banded bamboo shark
Panther grouper
Comet
Hawkfish- flame, long nose
Spinecheeks - blue whip tail
*Angels - likely a couple smaller and larger ones added as juveniles together for cohesiveness?; small - bi-color, flame, coral beauty, bellus, blue spotted; larger- scribbled, blue, queen, emperor, tellow bar, blue faced
Clownfish (of course have to have Nemo for the kids)
Wrasse- ie: scott's fairy, exquisite fairy, solar fairy, ornate, 6-lined, moon, rainbow
Spotted mandarin, green mandarin fish
Surgeonfish-Achilles Tang and Powder Blue Tang (my 2 favorites), sailfin tang, purple tang, unicorn tang
Maybe a less aggressive trigger such as a blue chin or cross hatch (love the Clown but understand they may be more aggressive)
Pufferfish (love the personality traits I have heard of)

Fortunately I have some means to do this but I want to do this right 1 time. Other thoughts on other stunning fish to add? Other suggestions?

Thanks so much from this newbie, 1st posting member!

Yes I do know not to add Angels such as the Queen and Emperor together but am hoping there may be other Angels (small and/or large) that may be fine with something like either the Queen, Emperor, or other majestic looking Angel.

Thanks for all replies

[Jsberry]

Question, if inch per gallon doesn't pertain to saltwater aquariums. What is considered to be a crowded rank? Thanks in advance I know it seems like a stupid question just new to saltwater and do not want to overcrowd.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by gsiegel

I posted this somewhere else in this forum but figured it may be better suited here. I am in the processing of purchasing a large - 310 gallon saltwater fish aquarium and want as much feedback as I can get. I have very little experience but want to do this 1 time w/o regrets later. I will have a service come in every month (likely more often initially) and I will do the relatively simple maintenance otherwise. I was also told the feeding schedule should be 2x/week.Here is what the plan is so far:

Here are the specs for the set up - please comment:
310 Gallon Starphire Tank 80 x 30 x 30
LC 400 Gallon Wet Dry Filter
SE Reeflo Snapper 2500 GPH Pump
13 bags of Bimini Pink Sand
CL 36W Turbo Twist UV Sterilizer
Sup Mag 3 Drive Water Pump
AI Sol White Lighting (4 of them for this tank) - do you recommend the white or the blue???
AI Sol/Nano Base Controller
Living Color from Fort Lauderdale (who is on the other TV show - not Tanked) - is constructing artificial reef structures which will also hide the pipes in the tank

I know to add the fish slowly but ultimately am looking at adding a combination of some of these (of course not all) fish:
Blue spotted ray (my kids really want this)
White spotted or brown banded bamboo shark
Panther grouper
Comet
Hawkfish- flame, long nose
Spinecheeks - blue whip tail
*Angels - likely a couple smaller and larger ones added as juveniles together for cohesiveness?; small - bi-color, flame, coral beauty, bellus, blue spotted; larger- scribbled, blue, queen, emperor, tellow bar, blue faced
Clownfish (of course have to have Nemo for the kids)
Wrasse- ie: scott's fairy, exquisite fairy, solar fairy, ornate, 6-lined, moon, rainbow
Spotted mandarin, green mandarin fish
Surgeonfish-Achilles Tang and Powder Blue Tang (my 2 favorites), sailfin tang, purple tang, unicorn tang
Maybe a less aggressive trigger such as a blue chin or cross hatch (love the Clown but understand they may be more aggressive)
Pufferfish (love the personality traits I have heard of)

Fortunately I have some means to do this but I want to do this right 1 time. Other thoughts on other stunning fish to add? Other suggestions?

Thanks so much from this newbie, 1st posting member!

Unfortunately I do not provide advice on aggressive fish tanks. We do have a forum for this type question which can be found here.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jsberry

Question, if inch per gallon doesn't pertain to saltwater aquariums. What is considered to be a crowded rank? Thanks in advance I know it seems like a stupid question just new to saltwater and do not want to overcrowd.

I wish there were an easy answer to that question. That is one of the reasons this thread exists and is so popular; it has been split and between the two parts, has about 200,000 views and 7,000 replies. It is almost an art form and is based on many years of experience (including screwing up)

[lolgranny]

Thoughts on sunset anthias compared to bartletts , Lori, or evasi?

[Borchers]

Was wondering if I could add a second dwarf angel. I have a coral beauty in my 120 with a total water volume of 160.

My beauty has been with me for 2 years now and is the most model of tank mates. No coral picking that keeps anything unhealthy. I have always wanted to add a second. There are so many beautiful dwarfs out there and would love a second.


Is it possible to pairup my coral beauty oris it to late?

Here is my list in order that I want

Potters
Multi color
Black Nox
Shepherds
Ebei
Rusty
Flame
Keyhole

Let me know! Thanks in advance

Here is my current stock list my tank is very well fed and the tank is very happy. All fish are fat and happy and there is no fighting seen to date.

Coral Beauty
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Pair of Clowns
1 blue chromis
Black fin gobie
Melanarus Wrasse

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lolgranny

Thoughts on sunset anthias compared to bartletts , Lori, or evasi?

Bartletts are easiest but change to male more easily and frequently, Lori to my eye are prettier but get a bit larger, evansi are gorgeous but more difficult to acclimate and require more frequent feeding.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Borchers

Was wondering if I could add a second dwarf angel. I have a coral beauty in my 120 with a total water volume of 160.

any new dwarf will be chased for a couple of days. You have a couple of grazers in addition to your existing dwarf but still should be ok. I would advocate for the multicolor as first choice. Great fish.

My beauty has been with me for 2 years now and is the most model of tank mates. No coral picking that keeps anything unhealthy. I have always wanted to add a second. There are so many beautiful dwarfs out there and would love a second.


Is it possible to pairup my coral beauty oris it to late?

Here is my list in order that I want

Potters
Multi color
Black Nox
Shepherds
Ebei
Rusty
Flame
Keyhole

Let me know! Thanks in advance

Here is my current stock list my tank is very well fed and the tank is very happy. All fish are fat and happy and there is no fighting seen to date.

Coral Beauty
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Pair of Clowns
1 blue chromis
Black fin gobie
Melanarus Wrasse

[rite_eh]

Hello,

I am in the process of setting up a 180g system (72x24x24) with 30g sump and wanted to start thinking about a fish list. I have the emperor already. The system has about around 125lbs of LR, 2900GPH return, dual overflows, 2 - 6105 tunzes and a BK 200 mini skimmer. Biopellets will likely be added soon. Sand and LR to be added shortly as well.

- Juvenile emperor angel (in QT, recovering from ich, about 2" long)
- Regal tang
- Male/female bluethroat trigger pair
- Pakistan butterfly fish
- Moorish idol
- Blue spotted jawfish
- Achilles tang
- Helfrichi firefish
- (5) Zebra dartfish

Am I going overboard or on the right track? Thanks for any suggestions.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rite_eh

Hello,

I am in the process of setting up a 180g system (72x24x24) with 30g sump and wanted to start thinking about a fish list. I have the emperor already. The system has about around 125lbs of LR, 2900GPH return, dual overflows, 2 - 6105 tunzes and a BK 200 mini skimmer. Biopellets will likely be added soon. Sand and LR to be added shortly as well.

- Juvenile emperor angel (in QT, recovering from ich, about 2" long)
- Regal tang really needs a longer
- Male/female bluethroat trigger pair
- Pakistan butterfly fish
- Moorish idol
- Blue spotted jawfish needs cooler temperature
- Achilles tang
- Helfrichi firefish should be introduced early
- (5) Zebra dartfish

You have a fair number of largish fish in a six foot tank; may make your tank look small.

Am I going overboard or on the right track? Thanks for any suggestions.

[rite_eh]

Thanks for the lightning-fast feedback. What conditions are the blue spotted jawfish best suited for? I'll rethink the larger fish listed as well, maybe add more smaller ones instead. Thanks again.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rite_eh

Thanks for the lightning-fast feedback. What conditions are the blue spotted jawfish best suited for? I'll rethink the larger fish listed as well, maybe add more smaller ones instead. Thanks again.

Blue spotted jawfish are collected in Mexico in the sea of cortez. Ideally temperatures should be about 75 F or slightly less. If you do go with this fish, it is advantageous to build a PVC home for it under the sand and it will benefit from rock rubble in the area. A very interesting fish.

[Borchers]

Thanks a ton!

[Arnold40]

Is it possible to keep 2 different kinds of chromis in a 65G tank or will it just lead to fighting and one chromis?

I have 3 Blue Reef Chromis and wanted to add an Agile Chromis. I know the Blue Reefs will dwindle down to 1 or 2 but will the same aggression happen between 2 different kinds? I bought the Blue Reefs after reading they should be kept in odd numbers on Live Aquaria.

[macfdny]

Hello I am currently running a 75 gal(DT) with a 30 gal sump. My goal is to have a mixed reef with mainly LPS and softies. I currently have 75lbs of rock, and 50 lbs of sand. The tank has been up and running for about 3 months. All water parm are 0ppm and salinity is 1.024. So far only have snails and crabs and macro in the fuge.

I would like to add

Spotted Cardinals (3) like the look of a school. Is 3 a crowd or good?

6 line wrasse
Melanurus Fairy Wrasse Can I have 2 wrasse?

mated pair of Black and White Clowns, no anemone (would wait till established)is that ok if the pair dont have one. I know they sometime will host in LPS

royal grama
orchid dotty back. Are these 2 compatible

red spotted Blennie or yellow watchman goby

TANGS?

wife wants a yellow
i like blue hippo (will both get along)

This is my wish list and I am interested in both compatiblity with tank size and each other.

Also what order should they be introduce.

and can i stock all at once or should it be done slowly and how many at a time?

Thanks in advance I value all help

[mspake86]

I have a 56 gallon column tank. It's 30" long 18" deep and 24" high. Using LR and live sand with a 4 stage canister filter and protein skimmer. Going to be a reef tank. My fish ideas are:
2 saddleback clownfish
1 royal gamma basslet
1 orange butterflyfish
1 bicolor angel
1 green mandarin (probably last fish to be added)

Also going to have CUC of fire shrimp and snails.
Later I want to add an anemone for the clowns
Let me know your thoughts

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Arnold40

Is it possible to keep 2 different kinds of chromis in a 65G tank or will it just lead to fighting and one chromis?

I have 3 Blue Reef Chromis and wanted to add an Agile Chromis. I know the Blue Reefs will dwindle down to 1 or 2 but will the same aggression happen between 2 different kinds? I bought the Blue Reefs after reading they should be kept in odd numbers on Live Aquaria.

I do not subscribe to the odd numbers theory. Chromis are damsels. Damsels are ornery in numbers greater than 2 and even then only if paired.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by macfdny

Hello I am currently running a 75 gal(DT) with a 30 gal sump. My goal is to have a mixed reef with mainly LPS and softies. I currently have 75lbs of rock, and 50 lbs of sand. The tank has been up and running for about 3 months. All water parm are 0ppm and salinity is 1.024. So far only have snails and crabs and macro in the fuge.

I would like to add

Spotted Cardinals (3) like the look of a school. Is 3 a crowd or good? fine, but they will not school

6 line wrasse very aggressive
Melanurus Fairy Wrasse Can I have 2 wrasse? Melanurus is not a fairy wrasse; the six line will not like any fairy or flasher wrasse

mated pair of Black and White Clowns, no anemone (would wait till established)is that ok if the pair dont have one. I know they sometime will host in LPS the correct terminology is that LPS/anemone/whatever hosts, the clownfish associate. Clowns can damage or occasionally kill LPS corals

royal grama
orchid dotty back. Are these 2 compatible while P. fridmani is the least aggressive pseudochromis, it is not likely to get along with a sixline or even a royal gramma

red spotted Blennie or yellow watchman goby

TANGS?

wife wants a yellow aggressive to all fish added afterwards
i like blue hippo (will both get along) RC recommends a 240 gallon tank for this fish

This is my wish list and I am interested in both compatiblity with tank size and each other.

Also what order should they be introduce. least aggressive first, most last

and can i stock all at once or should it be done slowly and how many at a time? please read my blog on proper acclimation/quarantine protocol

Thanks in advance I value all help

[Arnold40]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I do not subscribe to the odd numbers theory. Chromis are damsels. Damsels are ornery in numbers greater than 2 and even then only if paired.

Totally agree now that I see the 3 Blue Reef Chromis interact. The larger of the 3 I have has increased his colors and turned very dark blue. I would assume that he is the dominant one and he is bullying a smaller one. There is one the same size as the dominant fish and he has left him alone for now. I will probably remove 2 and see if my LFS wants them. So I do not subscribe to the odd number theory as well.

Current stocking:

3 Blue Reef Chromis...soon to be one
1 Golden Midas Blennie....Love this fish!

Proposed additions:

1 occelaris clown
1 yellow head sleeper goby
1 Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse
1 Black Cap Basslet

Any issues with this stocking list?