PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

What are the dimensions of that tank -- I think that 150's are pretty tall, but not all that long -- would want to make sure before commenting too much.

I would pick one type of clown -- and even try to pair it, but multiple species in the same tank (( and aggressive ones at that )) will most likely end poorly.

What type of "carpet" anemone? Haddoni or Gig?

Might want to look at reducing those phosphates, that is pretty high.

So Haddoni is the answer, back to the commenting? :-)

[snorvich]

xpilot, what are you using to measure phosphates? I shoot for 0.04 or lower using a photometer.

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by snorvich

xpilot, what are you using to measure phosphates? I shoot for 0.04 or lower using a photometer.

I am using Pura PhosLock and 25% water changes every two weeks to work on that, it is down from 2.5 a week ago. My LFS does the measuring. I moved an established tank three weeks ago and stirred up a mess when I moved and kept the sand. I'll get it down below 0.4 in time.

[PietschBR]

I'm wanting to add a neon goby to my tank.
I already have a pair of ocellaris clowns and a sixline wrasse.
Is it ok?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by PietschBR

I'm wanting to add a neon goby to my tank.
I already have a pair of ocellaris clowns and a sixline wrasse.
Is it ok?

The neon goby should be fine. Eventually as your clowns mature there may be issues with the sixline wrasse as both would be potentially aggressive (clowns more than wrasse).

[Anthony.Luciano]

well i would want the california stingray. the tank is 72x18x23

Originally Posted by Korrine

What type of stingray are you talking about? There are quite a few. Scientific name please so we can give you adequate advice. With stingrays it's all about floor space. They may only get so many inches wide, but their tail length adds a LOT to their size. Correct, they will eat crabs, shrimps, snails. I don't believe they eat corals. The ideal situation is a shallow pool in your basement. Keep in mind most saltwater stingrays are difficult to keep the odds are against you from the beginning.

[lcs]

I'm interested in adding a starry blenny. I currently have . . .

YWG
percula clown
coral beauty
malanurus wrasse

The coral beauty was a bit pushy when I added the clown and wrasse, but nothing that was too bad or lasted too long. Would a starry blenny be able to put up with a couple days of belligerance from the angel? Also, would having two microalgae grazers in an 18month old 56 gal tank with about 55lbs LR be too much? I do need to clean the glass off every couple of days.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lcs

I'm interested in adding a starry blenny. I currently have . . .

YWG
percula clown
coral beauty
malanurus wrasse

The coral beauty was a bit pushy when I added the clown and wrasse, but nothing that was too bad or lasted too long. Would a starry blenny be able to put up with a couple days of belligerance from the angel? Also, would having two microalgae grazers in an 18month old 56 gal tank with about 55lbs LR be too much? I do need to clean the glass off every couple of days.

I think you will be fine (but that is an opinion because I have never mixed those two fish). The grazers graze more from your rock work but at 18 months it should be mature enough to sustain two. I would be reluctant to add another one.

[j3piloterau]

I am currently cycling my first saltwater tank (75 DT + 30 sump/fuge.) I would like to have a mixed reef with eventually some SPS, LPS, Zoas, a clam or two, and maybe a BTA. Basically learning as I go with everything because even after all I have read, putting it in practice is totally different. I would like to keep things basic since this is my first tank and I do not want to get in too far over my head too soon.

Here is my fish list, I am not looking at putting everything on it in the tank, but these are the fish I want.

yellow tang
ocellaris clown
Red goby firefish
yellow watchman goby (with shrimp)
bangaii cardinal fish (quantity?)
resplendent anthias (quantity?)
flasher wrasse
bicolor dottyback
flame angel (possible show piece?)
Mandarin (at some point)

My real question is what fish first? Thank you so much for all your help.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by j3piloterau

I am currently cycling my first saltwater tank (75 DT + 30 sump/fuge.) I would like to have a mixed reef with eventually some SPS, LPS, Zoas, a clam or two, and maybe a BTA. Basically learning as I go with everything because even after all I have read, putting it in practice is totally different. I would like to keep things basic since this is my first tank and I do not want to get in too far over my head too soon.

Here is my fish list, I am not looking at putting everything on it in the tank, but these are the fish I want.

yellow tang Last for sure
ocellaris clown I recommend a fish other than a clown unless you have kids who have to have "Nemo"; clownfish are just not all that interesting except as a pair, and then they become aggressive as they bond and then mate
Red goby firefish May be intimidated by flasher wrasse
yellow watchman goby (with shrimp)
bangaii cardinal fish (quantity?) The most you can have is two and then it MUST be a M + F
resplendent anthias (quantity?) Quantity 3
flasher wrasse
bicolor dottyback This fish will not do well with a firefish or flasher wrasse; you cannot have the other two fish if you go this route
flame angel (possible show piece?) Must be a mature tank as it is a grazer so it should be added last or next to last
Mandarin (at some point) Your tank is marginally sized for this fish unless you add a mature refugium

My real question is what fish first? Thank you so much for all your help.

You are most welcome

[j3piloterau]

Steve,

Thanks so much for the quick reply. The nemo complex is rampant in my house, this fish is a must. I guess the dottyback is out even though it's the only fish my wife picked haha. Would you put the flasher, the clownfish, 3 anthias, or one cardinal first?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by j3piloterau

Steve,

Thanks so much for the quick reply. The nemo complex is rampant in my house, this fish is a must. I guess the dottyback is out even though it's the only fish my wife picked haha. Would you put the flasher, the clownfish, 3 anthias, or one cardinal first?

I would put the clownfish first, then the cardinal, followed by anthias. Dottybacks are gorgeous but the more gorgeous they are, they more aggressive.

[Coppertop412]

OK I have a 60x19x20 100 gallon, with 100 lbs sand, 100 lbs live rock, 55 gallon sump, up and running for a month and a half. I have 1 blue green chromis, 3 fire fish, coral beauty, a two spot goby and a tail spot blenny, tiger cowrie, emeral crab and a few hermits.
I was considering trying 2 pair of clowns (black and white and orange and white occ., all tank raised) but have thought better of it after much research. So my question is if I get a B/W and an O/W, will they pair? I believe this is how the make mochas. Once I get my LEDs running I want to get a Sabae nem and frogspawn. My next question is should I get the clowns first, or the nem/frogspawn?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Coppertop412

OK I have a 60x19x20 100 gallon, with 100 lbs sand, 100 lbs live rock, 55 gallon sump, up and running for a month and a half. I have 1 blue green chromis, 3 fire fish, coral beauty, a two spot goby and a tail spot blenny, tiger cowrie, emeral crab and a few hermits.
I was considering trying 2 pair of clowns (black and white and orange and white occ., all tank raised) but have thought better of it after much research. So my question is if I get a B/W and an O/W, will they pair? I believe this is how the make mochas. Once I get my LEDs running I want to get a Sabae nem and frogspawn. My next question is should I get the clowns first, or the nem/frogspawn?

Three firefish will become either one or two firefish. Unless you have a bonded M+F pair, in the long run they will eliminate others. Get your tank mature and stable before even considering an anemone.

Two pairs of clownfish will not work. You will likely have the B/W and the O/W pair but nothing is certain.

Get your LED running first, and depending which ones, you will need to adjust them for PAR. This thread is not about LED but I can assure you there is a lot to know about which ones, how much PAR, etc.

[geekEE1]

I have a 46 gallon bowfront with a 20 gallon long sump. The tank will be setup as a mixed reef. I have a swc 160 cone skimmer which is rated for a 90 gallon tank with a heavy bioload. The sump will also house a refugium section. My future fish list (not to be added all at once but over a long period of time ) will include:
2 Percula Clowns
1 Purple firefish
1 yellow assessor
1flame angel or coral beauty
1 orange spot goby
1 neon goby

Is this doable with weekly waterchanges and the capacity of my skimmer? Most of these fish stay relatively small. I would love to be able to have all of these fish but the well being of the inhabitants definitely comes first. Thank you all for your help.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by geekEE1

I have a 46 gallon bowfront with a 20 gallon long sump. The tank will be setup as a mixed reef. I have a swc 160 cone skimmer which is rated for a 90 gallon tank with a heavy bioload. The sump will also house a refugium section. My future fish list (not to be added all at once but over a long period of time ) will include:
2 Percula Clowns
1 Purple firefish
1 yellow assessor
1flame angel or coral beauty The flame angel is less aggressive than a coral beauty but both are grazers so must be added to a mature tank, preferably last
1 orange spot goby
1 neon goby

Is this doable with weekly waterchanges and the capacity of my skimmer? Most of these fish stay relatively small. I would love to be able to have all of these fish but the well being of the inhabitants definitely comes first. Thank you all for your help.

Assuming good husbandry, I think your bioload will work.

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Coppertop412

OK I have a 60x19x20 100 gallon, with 100 lbs sand, 100 lbs live rock, 55 gallon sump, up and running for a month and a half. I have 1 blue green chromis, 3 fire fish, coral beauty, a two spot goby and a tail spot blenny, tiger cowrie, emeral crab and a few hermits.
I was considering trying 2 pair of clowns (black and white and orange and white occ., all tank raised) but have thought better of it after much research. So my question is if I get a B/W and an O/W, will they pair? I believe this is how the make mochas. Once I get my LEDs running I want to get a Sabae nem and frogspawn. My next question is should I get the clowns first, or the nem/frogspawn?

Originally Posted by snorvich

Three firefish will become either one or two firefish. Unless you have a bonded M+F pair, in the long run they will eliminate others. Get your tank mature and stable before even considering an anemone.

Two pairs of clownfish will not work. You will likely have the B/W and the O/W pair but nothing is certain.

Get your LED running first, and depending which ones, you will need to adjust them for PAR. This thread is not about LED but I can assure you there is a lot to know about which ones, how much PAR, etc.

To add to Steve's post (( which I agree with completely )), if you are going to get a "Sebae" (( H. Crispa )) do not purchase a white or yellow one, they are bleached or dyed (( respectfully )).

[jimnrose]

I have a serpent starfish in my 125 gal tank (1 yr old, light load, plenty of rock). Is it wise to add a brittle starfish? Jim

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by jimnrose

I have a serpent starfish in my 125 gal tank (1 yr old, light load, plenty of rock). Is it wise to add a brittle starfish? Jim

What color? The green ones are known fish eaters -- I have seen the after math. In fact, I personally wouldn't trust any brittle star -- at least with smallish fish.

[Virtuoso]

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

What color? The green ones are known fish eaters -- I have seen the after math. In fact, I personally wouldn't trust any brittle star -- at least with smallish fish.

Todd, so if you were going to add a starfish would you suggest a serpent? Thank you.

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Virtuoso

Todd, so if you were going to add a starfish would you suggest a serpent? Thank you.

Yeah, I have never had any issues with any of the serpents I have had. My current one has been with me for 5+ years -- though I don't see it all that often.

Personally not a fan of brittles and sand sifting stars -- brittles for their predatory behavior and sand sifters because they stripe the sandbed clean, of life, and slowly starve to death.

[jimnrose]

Todd, I can't tell the color because it's from a Klorida Keys seller. I won't take the risk. Can I add another serpent starfish or would that be too competitive for food? I am trying to clean-up the sand bed. [Think I finally got rid of cyano but still get some algae on the sand - syphon twice a week]
Jim
P.S just added a sea cucumber a few weeks ago.m

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by jimnrose

Todd, I can't tell the color because it's from a Klorida Keys seller. I won't take the risk. Can I add another serpent starfish or would that be too competitive for food? I am trying to clean-up the sand bed. [Think I finally got rid of cyano but still get some algae on the sand - syphon twice a week]
Jim
P.S just added a sea cucumber a few weeks ago.m

I would think that you could add another serpent without issues, but I wouldn't count on it to directly clean the sandbed -- though they would eat any food that is missed by the fish; so I guess they could indirectly clean the sandbed.

[jimnrose]

Todd, thanks for the help. Jim

[Toddrtrex]

Sure thing, glad to do it.

I had some time today -- been slacking in this thread, and want to thank Steve for all the work he has been doing in this thread (( and elsewhere )). I am in the process if finding a new place to live (( purchase )), so that has been taking up a lot of my time.