PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by RAMMD

Snorvich,
I just wanted to thank you for your help with the stocking of my 220g mixed reef. I'm no where near complete because I'm taking things very slowly but my fish thus far have been model citizens and are looking absolutely beautiful.

My next question:
My 140g has cycled about 1 month ago and has a snail only clean up crew. I have intentions of making it a semi aggressive mixed reef and want to make sure this is possible before proceeding. As far as the tank specs, it has 2 radion xr30w pro LED's, 2 vortech MP 40 pumps, sump with refugium, sump has macros and additional live rock, UV sterilizer..... 220# of 6-7 year old LR and a 3-4 sand bed. The only inverts are snails, no shrimp, hermits, crabs, etc...I have intentention for easier corals such as torch, mushrooms, toadstools, colony polyps, starburst polyps, and hammers.

My question is that I wouldliketo add over the next few months the following fish....
1. A pair of yellow stripe maroon clowns
2. Flame hawkfish
3. Harlequin tusk
4. Indigo hamlet
5. And possibly a foxface

should be ok, but note that Harlequin Tusks do eat small fish

If this is possible and do you have a stocking order. I know that everyone hates the idea of upgrading tanks to accommodate fish but I just purchased a 300g intended for a passive mixed reef that I could change if needed, an empty 220g that doesn't fit in the intended space, and a 100g that is empty as well. I have future intentions for these tanks but not for the near future. Thank god I have a wife that is addicted to saltwater aquariums and uses them as showpiece furniture in the basement and hearth room.....ie I'm a very lucky man!

Once again, thank you for your assistance on the matter!!

RAMMD

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Kessler

Hey Steve, here's an updated list!
40 breeder, 20 long sump.

2x true perc
1x Firefish
1x Neon goby
1x orange spotted goby
1x royal gramma
1x tailspot blenny
1x Scooter Blenny not really a blenny, but all eat frozen; long term, survival is more likely in a larger tank
1x Flame Angel

I know that the scooter blenny is fairly difficult since they eat pods, but I was able to train one to eat frozen before, so I hoping to either do that or find a trained one.

Thanks again!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Cowlesdc

Hey all,

actually this thread is only answered by Reef Central Staff

Just want to make sure my setup can handle my planned load.

29 G All in one
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5ppm
pH 8.2
Temp 81 -79

15 snails -mixed hermits kill snails, usually it is best to do one or the other
8 hermits
1 Clump macro algae

Going in soon
1 - Peppermint or fire shrimp
1 - green star coral
1 - candy cane coral

Future plans
1- zoa
1- mushroom
1 - Clown species?
1 - Fire fish
1 - green clown golby

Possibly
1 - Skunk Shrimp
1- star fish will starve in this sized tank

What do yo all think?

Any subtractions or additions?

As a newbie to saltwater I can use all the advice I can get, and I dont really trust my LFS.

Thanks in advance,

[SKurj]

Ok

40g Long (same footprint as 55g std), mixed reef, not many corals, few snails and a few tiny hermits. Running 18 months

Current fish:
2 black snowflake clowns
1 neon goby
1 hector's goby
1 fox face (I know he will out grow the tank)

Looking to add:
1 Yellow watchman

and
1 Royal Gramma
1 Green Chromis

or the YWG and
1 Leopard wrasse
1 possum wrasse

Can mix and match too if it would be a better fit.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by SKurj

Ok

40g Long (same footprint as 55g std), mixed reef, not many corals, few snails and a few tiny hermits. Running 18 months

Current fish:
2 black snowflake clowns
1 neon goby
1 hector's goby
1 fox face (I know he will out grow the tank) It is difficult for me to see you purchase common fish when you do not have a proper environment

Looking to add:
1 Yellow watchman no problem

I cannot suggest that additional fish would do well in this sized tank

and
1 Royal Gramma
1 Green Chromis

or the YWG and you would have too many copepod eaters in a small tank (you already have one)
1 Leopard wrasse
1 possum wrasse

Can mix and match too if it would be a better fit.

[Cowlesdc]

I haven't had much of a problem yet with the hermits and snails but I am aware or the possibility.

Clown I am looking at just an Ocellaris

What about a second Firefish?

What else can I stock with out over doing it?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Cowlesdc

I haven't had much of a problem yet with the hermits and snails but I am aware or the possibility.

Over time, they will.

Clown I am looking at just an Ocellaris

What about a second Firefish? only if a male plus female pair otherwise, over time, only one will survive

What else can I stock with out over doing it?

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons, but I am always willing to reanalyze a stocking plan. Be sure to provide tank size and age as well as the entire plan when asking for me to do so.

[Kessler]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Hey Steve, here's an updated list!
40 breeder, 20 long sump.

2x true perc
1x Firefish
1x Neon goby
1x orange spotted goby
1x royal gramma
1x tailspot blenny
1x Scooter Blenny not really a blenny, but all eat frozen; long term, survival is more likely in a larger tank
1x Flame Angel

I know that the scooter blenny is fairly difficult since they eat pods, but I was able to train one to eat frozen before, so I hoping to either do that or find a trained one.

Thanks again!

Okay, great! As far as the dragonet goes, I will be getting a small one and by the time it gets large, the tank will be upgraded or I can give it away. And I didn't realize they all ate frozen, thought I was just good at training mine, haha.
Will any of the other fishes compete with it for food? I'd prefer not to feed frozen twice a day since my other one didn't fatten up until I started that since it was in a smaller tank.
Also, will a lemonpeel and the flame be interchangeable? Still a bit down the road till I get it so I might change my mind.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Kessler

Okay, great! As far as the dragonet goes, I will be getting a small one and by the time it gets large, the tank will be upgraded or I can give it away. And I didn't realize they all ate frozen, thought I was just good at training mine, haha.
Will any of the other fishes compete with it for food? I'd prefer not to feed frozen twice a day since my other one didn't fatten up until I started that since it was in a smaller tank.

The problem has several dimensions. First all other fish in the tank will compete for food and those less aggressive will, in the long term, lose out. Next, the metabolism of this fish, and other dragonets is that they eat constantly. Which means that with the normal "feeding" done by the vast majority of aquarists (which is usually done once per day) will not provide the quantity of food required for this type of metabolism. As a consequence, in the long run, the fish will waste away. However, this is not a discussion thread, and this is much more than I would normally provide in compatibility analysis.

Also, will a lemonpeel and the flame be interchangeable? Still a bit down the road till I get it so I might change my mind.

They have similar behavioral and feeding requirements

[rrocky]

Setup is a 45 gallon 36x24x12 mixed reef with a 20 gallon sump. Here's my list!

2 clowns
Leopard wrasse
2? Blue green Chromis
Red star
Bicolor blenny
Dragonette?

Thanks!!!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rrocky

Setup is a 45 gallon 36x24x12 mixed reef with a 20 gallon sump. Here's my list!

2 clowns what species? Makes a big difference
Leopard wrasse Marginal in this sized tank unless you feed multiple times per day
2? Blue green Chromis two will likely become one over time
Red star will likely starve in this sized tank
Bicolor blenny
Dragonette? Not in this sized tank, especially with a leopard wrassse

Thanks!!!

[rrocky]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm lookin at 2 black ice or snowflake clowns...also how many chromis is recommended? Or should I just stick to one? Would a pajama or Banghai cardinal work with the list? Thanks a lot!!!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rrocky

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm lookin at 2 black ice or snowflake clowns...also how many chromis is recommended? Or should I just stick to one? Would a pajama or Banghai cardinal work with the list? Thanks a lot!!!

Morphs of A. occelaris will want to control about 25 gallons once sexually mature. If you want chromis, I suggest only one for long term viability. Either cardinal will work with the list.

[rrocky]

Thanks so much!!! I apprecite it!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rrocky

Thanks so much!!! I apprecite it!

Always a pleasure

[RAMMD]

I know you don't deal as much with the more aggressive fish but do you know if a lunare wrasse and a harlequin tusk are compatible. I have a 220 and a 140 g mixed reef that has already cycled. I have another 220 and 100 future mixed reefs that I'm preparing to cycle. The cycled tanks have a cleanup crew of various snails and some cleaner shrimp will go into the reef tanks without the wrasses and other shrimp eaters. Just curious if those 2 would get along together and what sized tank would be appropriate, hopefully the 140 because I want the bigger tanks for a passive reef community. The 2 wrasses are my favorites since childhood when my dad kept them. Any information or assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, RAMMD

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by RAMMD

I know you don't deal as much with the more aggressive fish but do you know if a lunare wrasse and a harlequin tusk are compatible. I have a 220 and a 140 g mixed reef that has already cycled. I have another 220 and 100 future mixed reefs that I'm preparing to cycle. The cycled tanks have a cleanup crew of various snails and some cleaner shrimp will go into the reef tanks without the wrasses and other shrimp eaters. Just curious if those 2 would get along together and what sized tank would be appropriate, hopefully the 140 because I want the bigger tanks for a passive reef community. The 2 wrasses are my favorites since childhood when my dad kept them. Any information or assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, RAMMD

A lunare wrasse is very aggressive and I would hate to offer an opinion, especially in a small tank.

[mjheverly]

Hey snorvich,

Thanks for all your help, its great to have a second eye on this stuff after researching it.

I'm starting a 40G Breeder that is currently cycling with 20lbs live rock, 35lbs dry rock and 40lbs live sand

I'm still at least a couple weeks from adding anything to the tank but at the moment I'm looking at...

- 2 ocellaris clownfish
- 1 six line wrasse
- 1 Yellow Watchman Goby + Shrimp
- 1 Flame Angelfish

Thanks for all the help!

Matt

[Nina51]

29g cube, currently have:

2 small snowflake clowns
1 orange spotted goby
1 purple stripe dottyback
assorted corals and the usual cuc, no shrimp. (do i need to be more specific?).

i'd like to add just one more fish. i have always loved the long nose hawkfish or i've considered a six line wrasse. would either of these be appropriate?

thanks for your hard work!!

[cbass488]

Hi again!

I have a 55g, no sump, but have a Remora Pro S skimmer, Fluval 306 filter, Aquaclear 70 converted into a refugium, lots of live and dry rock and a 2" sandbed.

Current inhabitants:
1 tank bred Ocelaris
1 Banggai Cardinal
1 Six Line Wrasse
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 m/f pair of Red Band High Fin Goby's and a pistol Shrimp
1 Royal Gramma (wrasse did have a prob with him for a couple days, but soon lost interest)
CUC is mostly snails, 1 peppermint shrimp and a couple hermits. Reef set-up.

Question is, I've been waiting to add a Flame Angel. I have read about Six Line's having major issues with Coral Beauties, do you know of any issues between the Six Line and a Flame Angel?

2nd question, do you believe there's room to add additional fish with this set up, or will the Flame Angel push me toward the limits of what my system can handle?

Thanks in advance

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mjheverly

Hey snorvich,

Thanks for all your help, its great to have a second eye on this stuff after researching it.

I'm starting a 40G Breeder that is currently cycling with 20lbs live rock, 35lbs dry rock and 40lbs live sand

I'm still at least a couple weeks from adding anything to the tank but at the moment I'm looking at...

- 2 ocellaris clownfish
- 1 six line wrasse this will limit options going forward
- 1 Yellow Watchman Goby + Shrimp
- 1 Flame Angelfish

Thanks for all the help! this list is fine except as noted

Matt

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Nina51

29g cube, currently have:

2 small snowflake clowns
1 orange spotted goby
1 purple stripe dottyback this will limit options considerably
assorted corals and the usual cuc, no shrimp. (do i need to be more specific?).

i'd like to add just one more fish. i have always loved the long nose hawkfish one my favorite fish; the dottyback may allow that (odds are about 50/50) butthe odds would be much better in a larger tank


or i've considered a six line wrasse. the dottyback will not allow this for sure

would either of these be appropriate?

thanks for your hard work!!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by cbass488

Hi again!

I have a 55g, no sump, but have a Remora Pro S skimmer, Fluval 306 filter, Aquaclear 70 converted into a refugium, lots of live and dry rock and a 2" sandbed.

Current inhabitants:
1 tank bred Ocelaris
1 Banggai Cardinal
1 Six Line Wrasse
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 m/f pair of Red Band High Fin Goby's and a pistol Shrimp
1 Royal Gramma (wrasse did have a prob with him for a couple days, but soon lost interest)
CUC is mostly snails, 1 peppermint shrimp and a couple hermits. Reef set-up.

Question is, I've been waiting to add a Flame Angel. I have read about Six Line's having major issues with Coral Beauties, do you know of any issues between the Six Line and a Flame Angel? six lines can have issues with many fish, so I cannot accurately predict if it will with the flame angel

2nd question, do you believe there's room to add additional fish with this set up, or will the Flame Angel push me toward the limits of what my system can handle? it is rarely a bioload issue, it is almost always a behavioral issue with tank space and territorial requirements or inhabiting the same ecological niche

Thanks in advance

[bundybear1981]

Hi Steve,
After moving town I'm starting fresh with my tank and am thinking of a bit of a different stocking and just wanted to run it by your expertise first.

Tank will be a mixed reef with mainly LPS and a few inverts plus fish as follows :-

2x Ocellaris Clownfish (will be infant at purchase)
2x Spotted Cardinalfish
1x One Spot Foxface (I'm aware these may nip corals, also a grazer)
1x Flame Angelfish (Also know for nipping corals plus a 2nd grazer, will be adding algae from fuge to tank to supplement)
1x Mandarin (about 6 to 12 months time when pods are suitable)

Inverts--
2x Banded Coral Shrimp
1x Blue Tuxedo Urchin
1x Ritteri Anemone (about 12 mths time)
1x True Carpet Anemone (about 12 mths time)

Will also have some hammerhead, frogspawn, elegance corals in at some time as well.

Tank Details :- 75 gal display tank (48"x18"x20"), 45 gal sump (48"x15"x18"), Photon48 LED lights, UV steralizer (220gph pump feed), Aquaone Protein Skimmer G220, 800 gph powerhead and 660 gph return pump, chiller, Tunze ATO

Is the bio-load within check and will these inhabitants be able to co-exist?
thanks
Jason

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by bundybear1981

Hi Steve,
After moving town I'm starting fresh with my tank and am thinking of a bit of a different stocking and just wanted to run it by your expertise first.

Tank will be a mixed reef with mainly LPS and a few inverts plus fish as follows :-

2x Ocellaris Clownfish (will be infant at purchase)
2x Spotted Cardinalfish
1x One Spot Foxface (I'm aware these may nip corals, also a grazer)
1x Flame Angelfish (Also know for nipping corals plus a 2nd grazer, will be adding algae from fuge to tank to supplement)
1x Mandarin (about 6 to 12 months time when pods are suitable) Not with a mandarin

Inverts--
2x Banded Coral Shrimp must be a mated pair, but they can take fish
1x Blue Tuxedo Urchin
1x Ritteri Anemone (about 12 mths time) I would not do two anemones in this sized tank
1x True Carpet Anemone (about 12 mths time)

Will also have some hammerhead, frogspawn, elegance corals in at some time as well.

Tank Details :- 75 gal display tank (48"x18"x20"), 45 gal sump (48"x15"x18"), Photon48 LED lights, UV steralizer (220gph pump feed), Aquaone Protein Skimmer G220, 800 gph powerhead and 660 gph return pump, chiller, Tunze ATO

Is the bio-load within check and will these inhabitants be able to co-exist? bioload is fine, and I provided commentary on potential issues
thanks
Jason