PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Empty Bottles

What's your opinion on yellow tail blue damsels?

damsels are aggressive. The smaller the tank, the more relevant that becomes.

[jerkyjunky]

Just put the live rock in my 125g DT + 65g sump/fuge. Got 180lb rock 140lb sand (about 2 inches DT + 2-3 inch fuge). Here is what I was looking at:

Fish:
Tang of some kind x1 (either Brown Scopas for utility or something colorful for looks)
Pipefish x1-2
Cardinalfish x3 (I hear packs are better?)
Chalk Basslet x3 (I hear packs are better?)
Mated Ocellaris Clowns x2/Mated
Firefish Dartfish x1-2/Mated
Foxface x1?
Watchman Goby x1
Yellowhead Jawfish

Inverts:
Pistol Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
Fire/Peppermint Shrimp
Red Serpent Star
Nassarius Snails
Lettuce Sea Slug
Blue Leg Hermit

Note: I do have the 65g sump with a 25g of that being a fuge. Could put something is it might be an issue in that area.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jerkyjunky

Just put the live rock in my 125g DT + 65g sump/fuge. Got 180lb rock 140lb sand (about 2 inches DT + 2-3 inch fuge). Here is what I was looking at:

Fish:
Tang of some kind x1 (either Brown Scopas for utility or something colorful for looks) Be aware of the Reef Central Recommend Tank size for tangs which can be found here.
Pipefish x1-2 unless you have experience with these fish, I would wait until you do
Cardinalfish x3 (I hear packs are better?) male female pairs are best
Chalk Basslet x3 (I hear packs are better?)
Mated Ocellaris Clowns x2/Mated
Firefish Dartfish x1-2/Mated should be introduced first
Foxface x1? if you have a tang, I would not add a second grazer and these are not necessarily reef safe in all circumstances
Watchman Goby x1
Yellowhead Jawfish

Inverts:
Pistol Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
Fire/Peppermint Shrimp
Red Serpent Star
Nassarius Snails
Lettuce Sea Slug
Blue Leg Hermit

Note: I do have the 65g sump with a 25g of that being a fuge. Could put something is it might be an issue in that area.

[lt3058]

I just upgraded from a 20g with live rock and only a Tank-Bred Ocellaris Clownfish. I had some problems with things on the live rock and fire bristle worms (I caught one and took it to the saltwater specialist person and he identified them). So I had to cure the live rock for 2 months and then decided to upgrade the tank to a bigger tank.

I now have a 60g with about 65 lbs of rock and about 3 inches of live sand

I have a good setup but my mom refuses to let my drill through the wall to add a refugium so no refugium but I do have a skimmer, large filter and a small mesh lid
The tank cycled for about 6 weeks and has the clown, a yellow clown goby, warpaint goby, royal gramma basslet, red scooter blenny, a kole tang and 3 chromis (I have had them for more than a month and they haven't killed each other off yet) I want to add a dwarf angel and couldn't decide between a coral beauty and a flame angel with the fish listed above what would be the best choice? I only have 1 ritteri anemone and no corals

I also was considering a spiny blue lobster but I have a bunch of snails and two fighting conchs so would there be a problem between those? or the between the lobster and the scooter blenny?

My dad wants a kaudern cardinal fish should I go with one or two?
And I was thinking that I really like either the McCosker's Flasher Wrasse or would the exquisite wrasse be better?

Would that be too many?
What do think the max amount of fish would be?

What you are doing is wonderful because the people at my fish store just want me to buy the most expensive one

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lt3058

I just upgraded from a 20g with live rock and only a Tank-Bred Ocellaris Clownfish. I had some problems with things on the live rock and fire bristle worms (I caught one and took it to the saltwater specialist person and he identified them). So I had to cure the live rock for 2 months and then decided to upgrade the tank to a bigger tank.

Bristle worms are a symptom of your over feeding. They are actually beneficial for cleanup.

I now have a 60g with about 65 lbs of rock and about 3 inches of live sand

I have a good setup but my mom refuses to let my drill through the wall to add a refugium so no refugium but I do have a skimmer, large filter and a small mesh lid
The tank cycled for about 6 weeks and has the clown, a yellow clown goby, warpaint goby, royal gramma basslet, red scooter blenny, a kole tang and 3 chromis (I have had them for more than a month and they haven't killed each other off yet) I want to add a dwarf angel and couldn't decide between a coral beauty and a flame angel with the fish listed above what would be the best choice? I only have 1 ritteri anemone and no corals

your tank is not really large enough for any tang, and the 3 chromis will winnow down. Either dwarf angel would work, flames are gorgeous coloration

I also was considering a spiny blue lobster but I have a bunch of snails and two fighting conchs so would there be a problem between those? or the between the lobster and the scooter blenny?

spiny lobsters are not fish safe

My dad wants a kaudern cardinal fish should I go with one or two? you are a bit loaded as it is, perhaps you should let the tank settle in and not buy additional fish for a while
And I was thinking that I really like either the McCosker's Flasher Wrasse or would the exquisite wrasse be better?

Would that be too many?
What do think the max amount of fish would be?

What you are doing is wonderful because the people at my fish store just want me to buy the most expensive one

[windsha]

Tank
40g breeder FOWLR
20g sump with Protein Skimmer
50 lbs. live rock with 2inch sand bed (approx 65 lbs. of sand)

Fish
Clownfish x1 (thinking either ocellaris or percula, or would a pair be better?)
Flame Angelfish or coral beauty x1
Kauderns Cardinal x1
Algae Blenny x1
Yellow Watchman Goby x1
Royal Gramma x1

Inverts
Snails only
Pistol Shrimp x1
Blood Red Fire Shrimp x2
Fighting Conch
Blue Tuxedo Urchin

Pretty sure that I am very close if not over the limit, but if not I might add a Yellow Clown Goby or a Court Jester Goby.
Thank you for your time

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by windsha

Tank
40g breeder FOWLR
20g sump with Protein Skimmer
50 lbs. live rock with 2inch sand bed (approx 65 lbs. of sand)

Fish
Clownfish x1 (thinking either ocellaris or percula, or would a pair be better?) The issue is aggression once sexually mature; a single will eventually become female.
Flame Angelfish or coral beauty x1 neither are reef safe for corals, my personal preference is the flame
Kauderns Cardinal x1
Algae Blenny x1
Yellow Watchman Goby x1
Royal Gramma x1

Inverts excellent choices
Snails only
Pistol Shrimp x1
Blood Red Fire Shrimp x2
Fighting Conch
Blue Tuxedo Urchin

Pretty sure that I am very close if not over the limit, but if not I might add a Yellow Clown Goby or a Court Jester Goby.
Thank you for your time

your loading is a little high but not terribly so


To Reef Central

[windsha]

Excellent! Thank you very much for your time and information!

[Hzuiel]

I'm planning a custom tank build. It would be a corner tank, and thus a triangle. Rear corner nipped to keep it's front to back distance down(both to keep it all within reach and so it will fit through doorways.

Dimensions, 22.5" back, 36" sides, 74" front, 20" deep. I want to keep it shallow so it's easier to reach stuff and work around it. Capacity somewhere around 105 gallon. Would have a sump and refugium under tank in stand.

I'm sure most or all coral i have will be sps type stuff and softies.

Desired livestock:
Kole tang (would have 6' of swimming room because of the wide front)
flame angel
coral beauty
mandarin dragonet
yellow coris wrasse
Maybe a goby or something else small.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Hzuiel

I'm planning a custom tank build. It would be a corner tank, and thus a triangle. Rear corner nipped to keep it's front to back distance down(both to keep it all within reach and so it will fit through doorways.

Dimensions, 22.5" back, 36" sides, 74" front, 20" deep. I want to keep it shallow so it's easier to reach stuff and work around it. Capacity somewhere around 105 gallon. Would have a sump and refugium under tank in stand.

I'm sure most or all coral i have will be sps type stuff and softies.

Desired livestock:
Kole tang (would have 6' of swimming room because of the wide front)
flame angel
coral beauty
mandarin dragonet
yellow coris wrasse
Maybe a goby or something else small.

I believe I already answered you for a different tank. Did you change tanks?

[Hzuiel]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I believe I already answered you for a different tank. Did you change tanks?

Yeah this is a build in planning phase. I can't start on the project at all until i settle on what livestock and the exact size tank needed for them, etc. I still have my 20g, which will probably remain fishless, coral and inverts only, until the bigger tank is completed and set up.

[FTDelta]

I know subitted my fish stock list for a future 46 gallon bowfront tank as follows:

2 Ocelleris Clownfish (orange and black & white)
2 Bangaii Cardinalfish (m & f)
1 Royal Gramma
1 Pink Streaked Wrasse
1 Multicolor Dwarf Angelfish (last fish added)

I'd like to add a Possum Wrasse as well. Can this be done? I read a Possum Wrasse will be fine with other peaceful species such as the Pink Streak Wrasse. Please advise.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Hzuiel

I'm planning a custom tank build. It would be a corner tank, and thus a triangle. Rear corner nipped to keep it's front to back distance down(both to keep it all within reach and so it will fit through doorways.

Dimensions, 22.5" back, 36" sides, 74" front, 20" deep. I want to keep it shallow so it's easier to reach stuff and work around it. Capacity somewhere around 105 gallon. Would have a sump and refugium under tank in stand.

I'm sure most or all coral i have will be sps type stuff and softies.

Desired livestock:
Kole tang (would have 6' of swimming room because of the wide front)
flame angel not reef safe
coral beauty not reef safe
mandarin dragonet
yellow coris wrasse
Maybe a goby or something else small.

except as noted, these should work

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by FTDelta

I know subitted my fish stock list for a future 46 gallon bowfront tank as follows:

2 Ocelleris Clownfish (orange and black & white)
2 Bangaii Cardinalfish (m & f)
1 Royal Gramma
1 Pink Streaked Wrasse
1 Multicolor Dwarf Angelfish (last fish added)

I'd like to add a Possum Wrasse as well. Can this be done? I read a Possum Wrasse will be fine with other peaceful species such as the Pink Streak Wrasse. Please advise.

yes, that list will be fine. Multicolor should be last, however I do not see any potential conflicts with the others

[FTDelta]

Thank you.

[Bike2k]

I have a 75g with 20L sump in which 1/3 of the sump will be a refugium with a 4" sand bed once my cycle is complete Chaeto. I have 85.5 lbs of rock in the DT. My original plan was a FOWLR but after seeing some of the reef tanks I decided to add the fish first then add corals as I go and learn about them. I had originally posted a list here but after visiting the LFS with my wife and son (we are making it a family thing) I have again modified the list...

The must have:
(1) - White Tail Bristle Tooth Tang - it will be added last.

The remaining occupants in order of introduction.:

(1) - Diamond Watchman Goby
(2) - Black & White Ocellaris Clownfish
(1) - Royal Gramma Basslet
(2) - Kaudern's Cardinal
(1) - Orange-back Fairy Wrasse

The fish will be added 1 or 2 a month until the list is complete so as to give the tank to catch up with filtration.

Other than the fish I plan to have a tiger conch, an emerald crab, a blue legged Hermit, maybe a cleaner shrimp and assorted snails as a CUC.

Your thoughts and comments on this list is welcome.

Again, thanks in advance. I believe this is the firm list.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Bike2k

I have a 75g with 20L sump in which 1/3 of the sump will be a refugium with a 4" sand bed once my cycle is complete Chaeto. I have 85.5 lbs of rock in the DT. My original plan was a FOWLR but after seeing some of the reef tanks I decided to add the fish first then add corals as I go and learn about them. I had originally posted a list here but after visiting the LFS with my wife and son (we are making it a family thing) I have again modified the list...

The must have:
(1) - White Tail Bristle Tooth Tang - it will be added last.

The remaining occupants in order of introduction.:

(1) - Diamond Watchman Goby
(2) - Black & White Ocellaris Clownfish
(1) - Royal Gramma Basslet
(2) - Kaudern's Cardinal be sure to get tank bred, must be male plus female
(1) - Orange-back Fairy Wrasse

Excepted as annotated, the list is fine

The fish will be added 1 or 2 a month until the list is complete so as to give the tank to catch up with filtration.

Other than the fish I plan to have a tiger conch, an emerald crab, a blue legged Hermit, maybe a cleaner shrimp and assorted snails as a CUC.

Your thoughts and comments on this list is welcome.

Again, thanks in advance. I believe this is the firm list.

[Bike2k]

Thanks so much for your help!

[Bike2k]

Are you suggesting tank bred as they will eat more diverse foods?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Bike2k

Are you suggesting tank bred as they will eat more diverse foods?

I am suggesting tank bred as they are more likely to eat at all. Wild caught very often have acclimation to captivity issues.

[HUNTER1]

Hi, tank is 40g and I have right now a sixline wrasse and a small yellow watchman goby. Can I add for now a starry blenny without bothering the yellow watchman? thanks

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by HUNTER1

Hi, tank is 40g and I have right now a sixline wrasse and a small yellow watchman goby. Can I add for now a starry blenny without bothering the yellow watchman? thanks

yes, that should be fine. The sixline wrasse is your biggest aggressiveness constraint going forward.

[gone fishin]

Steve I really respect your opinion and would like to ask you about consolidating my tank. I have a 30 gallon and a 180 that has been up for about 3 months now.

In the 30 I have
1 purple fire fish
1 pajama cardinal
1 hifin banded goby & pistol shrimp

In the 180 I have
2 O' clowns
2 blue green chromis
1 royal gramma
1 chalk bass

I am mostly concerned about the fire fish and royal gramma. I thought by moving the rock from the 30 to the 180 may change the aquascape enough. Thanks for for your insights.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

Steve I really respect your opinion and would like to ask you about consolidating my tank. I have a 30 gallon and a 180 that has been up for about 3 months now.

In the 30 I have
1 purple fire fish
1 pajama cardinal
1 hifin banded goby & pistol shrimp

In the 180 I have
2 O' clowns
2 blue green chromis
1 royal gramma
1 chalk bass

I am mostly concerned about the fire fish and royal gramma. I thought by moving the rock from the 30 to the 180 may change the aquascape enough. Thanks for for your insights.

I think that would work fine. The firefish does not really occupy the same ecological niche as the royal gramma.

[gone fishin]

Thanks again Steve. I really appreciate all your help over the last couple years.