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[lilouisianagal]

Originally Posted by lilouisianagal

I have 2 tanks (36 gallon, 55 gallon). One is stocked but I'm not sure if it's at max, the other is currently rebooting. Both are FOWLR. Both have Aqueon HOB filters (though I'm considering switching to protein skimmers when these die), lots of LR and LS (the 36 gal can't fit any more), about to add ATO, RODI (have been using treated tap), and powerheads (1 in the 36 gallon, 2 in the 55 gallon). No sump. Not the best about water changes, so I prefer to under stock.

55 gallon currently has 2 clowns, 2 blue/green chromis, and a dottyback. Is that at the max for stocking?

36 gallon is rebooting. I like clowns, so I am leaning toward those.

I just want to confirm, is this a dottyback?



How many clowns could I put in the 36 gallon? What if I wanted a goby or blenny in that tank or in the 55 gallon? Still okay bioload-wise?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tin Man

Thanks. How about this instead...


1 - Clown Goby - how about pistol shrimp/yellow watchman goby instead?
1 - Firefish
1 - Carpenter's Wrasse
1 - Royal Gramma
2 - Ocellaris or Percula Clowns
3 - Dispar Anthias
1 - Powder Brown or Powder Blue Tang - after 6 months
1 - dwarf angel - pygmy, coral beauty, bicolor or flame (realize may nip corals)

corals later...maybe

Should be fine

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Kimmykidd

Hiya just starting out with marine fish and would like some input on the following list and advice on the order to add them. I have a 430 litre custom build tank and a 100litre sump that has about 70 litres in it at the moment. I have live rock and a two inch sandbed. Im hoping to eventually work my way up to some more difficult to keep sps coral but will probably be sticking to soft coral to start so fish that are likely to be ok wiith any coral I add would be a plus.

Im hoping to add;

Blue green chromis (5?) Five will become one over time
Midas blenny
Orchid dottyback
Lawnmower blenny (once there is plenty algae) 9 months minimum
Lyretail anthias (4?)
Yellow long nose butterfly (probs the fish I want most)
Bellus angel (2) needs a larger tank even for one

Any input will be appreciated

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lilouisianagal

I just want to confirm, is this a dottyback?

this is outside the scope of this thread; appears to be a sick dottyback

How many clowns could I put in the 36 gallon? What if I wanted a goby or blenny in that tank or in the 55 gallon? Still okay bioload-wise?

two clownfish; a goby or blenny would be fine

[Kimmykidd]

Thanks for the reply.
Oh that's disappointing about the bellus, I thought they were pretty small as far as angels go.
Are blue chromis also like that? (Chromis cyanus)
Ok will make sure i wait 9 months for the lawnmower.

Would u say the other fish are likely to be compatible?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Kimmykidd

Thanks for the reply.
Oh that's disappointing about the bellus, I thought they were pretty small as far as angels go.
Are blue chromis also like that? (Chromis cyanus)
Ok will make sure i wait 9 months for the lawnmower.

Would u say the other fish are likely to be compatible?

Yes, chromis tend to knock off the most passive until only one is left, especially in a smallish tank. Bellus angels are not small and very active; your tank would be marginal for one, however.

[Kimmykidd]

Would you say adding more anthias would be better than adding chromis? How big a tank do people keep chromis in to stop the aggression?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Kimmykidd

Would you say adding more anthias would be better than adding chromis? How big a tank do people keep chromis in to stop the aggression?

There is no magic size, but more on the order of 1200 liters or larger. Your tank is not large enough for a group of anthias. Also, in the future, for follow up questions, please note tank size and total planned stocking list since I cannot go backwards in this thread. Thanks.

[Usnizo]

Hi I am a newbe, back from 20 years off in this hobby and I forgot how awesome this hobby is! I did this with my dad as a kid now Im spending time with my kids who love fish.
We bought a established 40 gallon breeder from a friend a month ago it came with a pair of ocellaris clowns, YW goby, small torch coral, a CUC of snails and hermits about 25 lbs of base rock. HOB filter, t5 lighting x4, 2 power heads, heater ct...In this month I have added a sump with LR and algae, protein skimmer, 20 lbs of premium LR, 1 fire shrimp, 2 emerald crabs and this weekend I added a Flame Angel.
I would like to add the following:
Royal Gramma
Yellow choris wrase
Firefish or hawkfish
Some peppermint shrimp to take care of aptasia on the LR
Suggestions on other fish that maybe better also want fish that stay active

Thanks

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Usnizo

Hi I am a newbe, back from 20 years off in this hobby and I forgot how awesome this hobby is! I did this with my dad as a kid now Im spending time with my kids who love fish.
We bought a established 40 gallon breeder from a friend a month ago it came with a pair of ocellaris clowns, YW goby, small torch coral, a CUC of snails and hermits about 25 lbs of base rock. HOB filter, t5 lighting x4, 2 power heads, heater ct...In this month I have added a sump with LR and algae, protein skimmer, 20 lbs of premium LR, 1 fire shrimp, 2 emerald crabs and this weekend I added a Flame Angel. A flame angel needs a larger tank
I would like to add the following:
Royal Gramma
Yellow choris wrase
Firefish or hawkfish not shrimp safe
Some peppermint shrimp to take care of aptasia on the LR
Suggestions on other fish that maybe better also want fish that stay active

Thanks

Fine except as annotated

[mpderksen]

Sir,
75 gallon, strong skimmer. 18-months mature.
I'm aware that my current stock may put me at the max. Especially the Maroon, which I'm loath to be rid of.
2 x spotted or pajama Cardinalfish
Blue-green chromis (the only one not visible below)
Maroon clown
Kole Tang
flame Dwarf Angel
One-Spot Foxface
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1425869428.523453.jpg

Large grazer population, from before I knew better. I Feed nori daily as well as an auto feeder with NLS pellets 3x daily. Evening is PE Mysis or Rod's. Aggression is currently limited, but I'm aware this could change quickly at any time.

Looking to add 2-3 of the following:
McCoskers Flasher Wrasse
Bartletts Anthias
Yellow Prawn Goby

My hope is that, being in different ecological niches, these are fine. A screen would be added considering the Wrasse is a known jumper. I am guessing that the Kole, since it should have been added last, will mean no additions are acceptable.
QT would be 72 days as you have previously recommended. Curious if all could be co-QTed in a 20-gallon.
Thanks mate,
Michael

[Usnizo]

Thanks for your input, my research on the Flame Angle with regards to tank size varied from 20 gallon to 70. I was thinking of getting a 65 gallon since it has the same footprint, so that maybe the direction I go in the future, should be ok for a while?

[ichthyogeek]

I'm upgrading from a 29 to a 55 gallon. Eshopps RS-75 sump (holds 5 gallons when running at correct salinity, 10 when full). 200 micron filter sock, 60-ish pounds of live rock, and about a quarter of the tank will be Caulerpa prolifera. Coralife super skimmer rated for 65 gallons, and that's about it for filtration. Sand bed will probably be shallow oolite for 75%, and mixed 3" deep for 25% (the same part the Caulerpa will be on). I plan on keeping pairs (hoping to breed eventually) except for one fish. Here's the fish list!
1 valentini puffer (already in the 29 gallon tank, impulse buy) Canthigaster valentini
2 kupang damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) (same as valentini), established(?) pair
2 Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kaudernii)
2 longfin/social fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis)
2 High-Bar Shrimp gobies (Stonogobiops nematodes) with
2 Alpheus randalli (I'm concerned about the puffer, but maybe the gobies will defend them?) (also the reason for the 3" mixed bed)

Edit: and assorted hermits and snails as snacks/CUC

Please and Thank you for your help!!!!

[Shawnyfive]

120g (4x2x2) mixed reef with approx 150# live rock, a large skimmer, sump, and refugium. Currently housing a pair of ocellaris clowns and CUC (2 peppermint shrimps, variety of snails and crabs).

Looking to add:

Royal Gramma
Lawnmower blenny
Sixline wrasse
Yellow eye Kole Tang
Mimc lemonpeel tang
(Maybe also) Tomini Tang
Flame angel
Either coral beauty or Rusty angel

Other than the actual specimens requested, do you think it'd be overstocked? Room for more? Really appreciate the feedback and guidance.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mpderksen

Sir,
75 gallon, strong skimmer. 18-months mature.
I'm aware that my current stock may put me at the max. Especially the Maroon, which I'm loath to be rid of.
2 x spotted or pajama Cardinalfish
Blue-green chromis (the only one not visible below)
Maroon clown
Kole Tang
flame Dwarf Angel
One-Spot Foxface
Attachment 310739

Large grazer population, from before I knew better. I Feed nori daily as well as an auto feeder with NLS pellets 3x daily. Evening is PE Mysis or Rod's. Aggression is currently limited, but I'm aware this could change quickly at any time.

Looking to add 2-3 of the following:
McCoskers Flasher Wrasse
Bartletts Anthias
Yellow Prawn Goby fine

My hope is that, being in different ecological niches, these are fine. A screen would be added considering the Wrasse is a known jumper. I am guessing that the Kole, since it should have been added last, will mean no additions are acceptable. The kole will probably not notice any lf the desired additions.
QT would be 72 days as you have previously recommended. Curious if all could be co-QTed in a 20-gallon.
Thanks mate,
Michael

Stocking is rarely a bioload issue, it is always more a behavioral or ecological niche issue. The maroon clown, if mature, will be mean and want to control about 50 gallons of tank space. As you already know, you have too many grazers in this sized tank (the skimmer may help with the waste). My recommendations for quarantine can be found in my blog and is outside the scope of this thread, but does not require 72 days (which is the fallow period for ich).

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Usnizo

Thanks for your input, my research on the Flame Angle with regards to tank size varied from 20 gallon to 70. I was thinking of getting a 65 gallon since it has the same footprint, so that maybe the direction I go in the future, should be ok for a while?

70 gallons is my recommendation.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

I'm upgrading from a 29 to a 55 gallon. Eshopps RS-75 sump (holds 5 gallons when running at correct salinity, 10 when full). 200 micron filter sock, 60-ish pounds of live rock, and about a quarter of the tank will be Caulerpa prolifera. Coralife super skimmer rated for 65 gallons, and that's about it for filtration. Sand bed will probably be shallow oolite for 75%, and mixed 3" deep for 25% (the same part the Caulerpa will be on). I plan on keeping pairs (hoping to breed eventually) except for one fish. Here's the fish list!
1 valentini puffer (already in the 29 gallon tank, impulse buy) Canthigaster valentini
2 kupang damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) (same as valentini), established(?) pair
2 Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kaudernii)
2 longfin/social fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis) needs large tank; also very aggressive
2 High-Bar Shrimp gobies (Stonogobiops nematodes) with
2 Alpheus randalli (I'm concerned about the puffer, but maybe the gobies will defend them?) (also the reason for the 3" mixed bed)

fine except as noted

Edit: and assorted hermits and snails as snacks/CUC

Please and Thank you for your help!!!!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Shawnyfive

120g (4x2x2) mixed reef with approx 150# live rock, a large skimmer, sump, and refugium. Currently housing a pair of ocellaris clowns and CUC (2 peppermint shrimps, variety of snails and crabs).

Looking to add:

Royal Gramma
Lawnmower blenny
Sixline wrasse I would avoid
Yellow eye Kole Tang only two tangs in this sized tank and should be added concurrently
Mimc lemonpeel tang
(Maybe also) Tomini Tang
Flame angel
Either coral beauty or Rusty angel

I definitely would not try to house 5 algae grazers in this sized tank

Other than the actual specimens requested, do you think it'd be overstocked? Room for more? Really appreciate the feedback and guidance.

You have a a lot of fish in the same ecological niche which is a problem except in larger tanks

[saltwater_pappy]

Good day ladies & gents,
my 90g is doing well & I now have successfully quarantined my first 4 fish. They are a mocha clown, purple firefish, flasher wrasse & 6 line wrasse. I would like to purchase my next 2 fish. I would like to eventually add an (orchid dottyback & springers dottyback) (flame angel & bicolor angel).
Since both pairs are semi aggressive, does it matter with pair I introduce first?

[ichthyogeek]

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

I'm upgrading from a 29 to a 55 gallon. Eshopps RS-75 sump (holds 5 gallons when running at correct salinity, 10 when full). 200 micron filter sock, 60-ish pounds of live rock, and about a quarter of the tank will be Caulerpa prolifera. Coralife super skimmer rated for 65 gallons, and that's about it for filtration. Sand bed will probably be shallow oolite for 75%, and mixed 3" deep for 25% (the same part the Caulerpa will be on). I plan on keeping pairs (hoping to breed eventually) except for one fish. Here's the fish list!
1 valentini puffer (already in the 29 gallon tank, impulse buy) Canthigaster valentini
2 kupang damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) (same as valentini), established(?) pair
2 Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kaudernii)
2 longfin/social fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis) needs large tank; also very aggressive
2 High-Bar Shrimp gobies (Stonogobiops nematodes) with
2 Alpheus randalli (I'm concerned about the puffer, but maybe the gobies will defend them?) (also the reason for the 3" mixed bed)

Edit: and assorted hermits and snails as snacks/CUC

[COLOR="rgb(255, 0, 255)"]fine except as noted [/COLOR]

Please and Thank you for your help!!!!

So...is that a yes or a no on the wrasses? They'll probably go in after all the fish are added, or maybe before the puffer and damsels? Thoughts please? I'm looking for a red fish...a Centropyge loricula pair probably needs 125+, right?

[mpderksen]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Stocking is rarely a bioload issue, it is always more a behavioral or ecological niche issue. The maroon clown, if mature, will be mean and want to control about 50 gallons of tank space. As you already know, you have too many grazers in this sized tank (the skimmer may help with the waste). My recommendations for quarantine can be found in my blog and is outside the scope of this thread, but does not require 72 days (which is the fallow period for ich).

Thanks for your time and advice, mate. I ordered the 3 today. I strongly respect you knowledge and opinions, (as well as appreciate that you share with others).
Cheers,
Michael

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by saltwater_pappy

Good day ladies & gents,
my 90g is doing well & I now have successfully quarantined my first 4 fish. They are a mocha clown, purple firefish, flasher wrasse & 6 line wrasse. I would like to purchase my next 2 fish. I would like to eventually add an (orchid dottyback & springers dottyback) (flame angel & bicolor angel).
Since both pairs are semi aggressive, does it matter with pair I introduce first?

The sixline wrasse will be a problem with the flasher wrasse and purple firefish. The dottybacks will be a problem with the same.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

So...is that a yes or a no on the wrasses? They'll probably go in after all the fish are added, or maybe before the puffer and damsels? Thoughts please? I'm looking for a red fish...a Centropyge loricula pair probably needs 125+, right?

It is a no on those wrasses.

[nancylm]

I have a 12G tank that I was freshwater for a couple years. I moved the last few inhabitants over to my larger tank and would like to convert my existing tank to salt. Here is what I am thinking:

1: Get live sand (Ocean Direct 1 inch deep), live rock (10 lbs of pourous), mix salty water, and cycle the tank. Questions: am I right that I don't have to do anything except monitor the levels here since there won't be any fish in the tank? Do I need to add anything at this stage? Sidenote - I will have a heater, powerhead, HOB filter. Am I missing anything? From what I have read, in a tank this small you can be ok without a skimmer and refugium if you do frequent water changes and close monitoring.

2: When I start seeing things growing add a clean up crew. Keep monitoring levels. I want them to be stable for a while so I know they're ok and it's not just luck. How long would that be?? lol

3: once the levels are stable add one Fish. My kids want a clown. I'm thinking a captive bred Ocellaris. I know it can't stay in my 12G forever. But would 6 months to a year or so be ok? I know how big they get but I can't find much info on how fast they grow. I've read that they will use almost anything as a host and I saw a picture of some using one of those spiky balls that sort of look like an anemone. Thought I might try one of those until I'm ready to try a real one. (Do clowns always have to be in pairs? I've read that they often like to be. If I got two, how big would their forever home need to be? I know the minimum for one is 20G but I can't find out how much for two.) Also - How would adding a refugium change things? Do the clowns really need the space to swim or is it more about water quality? I am under the impression that they don't go too far from their host. So I have a small space for the tank but it does have a cabinet under with space for a refugium if that would help)

4: monitor the levels again. Until I feel like I can manage an easy coral. Will need to upgrade my lights. I am overwhelmed by that part as I'm sure I want LEDs but not sure how to know if they are strong enough. Am I right that I don't need to worry about the lights too much until this point? I can use regular lights with FOWLR tank?

5: If I keep one coral alive I'll add another

Thanks in advance for help.

[nancylm]

I forgot to ask about water!!

I keep reading that RO water is best, but I know I am missing something here. It strips all the minerals from the water. Help me understand! I always just used conditioner.