PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Korrine]

Originally Posted by mndfreeze

I (already) have a dendro I have to target feed nightly, which is still a bit messy while I get it down. I'd be purposly feeding inverts since this is the purpose of the tank.

I'm having a lot of problems finding detailed information on the goby/pistol pair choices. Some threads people are saying to get the yellow watchman / tiger pair because they dont require nearly as much real estate (I have a small sandbed, most is rock, DSB is about 4" though) and half of what im reading says the pistol will kill and eat othe shrimp, like the sexy shrimp or a cleaner shrimp that I want.

I'm all for a nice small goby and pistol since the tank is small.

Why not try a candy cane pistol (Randall's, I believe). They pair with the genus Strongobiops and another genus that starts with an "A", but I can't remember the full name.

Here are photos of my candy cane pistol w/my old Yasha haze gobies. I haven't had any problems with my pistol digging to much. I've had him since April of 2009.

Here is a FTS. The shrimp buries under the right rock. You'll need to make sure the rock is resting on the glass so when it digs it won't undermine the rock structure. Also, provide plenty of sand.

[Korrine]

Originally Posted by pura vida mi

90 gal bowfront w/the following:
Midas blenny
Mater pair-gold band clowns
Flame angel
Lawnmower blenny
Orange spot goby
Mandarin goby
Sailfin tang (bye bye)

Ok let me start by saying that the sailfin which has been in the tank for 4 months, has officially turned into a MONSTER. Added a naso Wednesday....dead yesterday. No marks/bites, just kept flashing him and pushing him into hiding. Naso could have been a little weak to begin with. Taking the sailfin to LFS tomorrow. He is hitting my hand with his tail when I have in tank.

What out adding a few green chromis? Small regal? Small naso?

Thanks in advance.

I agree Regal's and naso's get to big for that tank

[Tylt33]

Originally Posted by Korrine

Why not try a candy cane pistol (Randall's, I believe). They pair with the genus Strongobiops and another genus that starts with an "A", but I can't remember the full name.

Here are photos of my candy cane pistol w/my old Yasha haze gobies. I haven't had any problems with my pistol digging to much. I've had him since April of 2009.

Here is a FTS. The shrimp buries under the right rock. You'll need to make sure the rock is resting on the glass so when it digs it won't undermine the rock structure. Also, provide plenty of sand.

Amblyeleotris

[Hermannsae]

I have an 180gal Oceanic Reef-Tank (Indo-Pacific Theme).
75gal refugium with DSP/LR/Macro Algae and a approx. 60gal sump.
Deltec SC2060 Skimmer, GEO CR612 Calcium Reactor, Tunze Wavebox, 2x Tunze Turbelle Stream 2 or close loop.Lights: 2x 250W HQL, 4x 54W T5, Moonlight

I am planning to have:

2 x Blackray Shrimp Goby with shrimp
4 x Zebra Darfish
2 x Ocellaris Clownfish
2 x purple Firefish
1 x sixline Wrasse
1 x Coral Beauty

4 x Carpender's Flasher Wrasse (1 male, 3 female)
or
4 x Blue/geen Chromis (Cromis viridis)

I am trying to stay within 3.5"-4" max. fish length.

So far, I have only the tanks and the wavebox.

Any recommendations or concerns appreciated!

[Aquarist007]

Originally Posted by Hermannsae

I have an 180gal Oceanic Reef-Tank (Indo-Pacific Theme).
75gal refugium with DSP/LR/Macro Algae and a approx. 60gal sump.
Deltec SC2060 Skimmer, GEO CR612 Calcium Reactor, Tunze Wavebox, 2x Tunze Turbelle Stream 2 or close loop.Lights: 2x 250W HQL, 4x 54W T5, Moonlight

I am planning to have:

2 x Blackray Shrimp Goby with shrimp
4 x Zebra Darfish
2 x Ocellaris Clownfish
2 x purple Firefish
1 x sixline Wrasse
1 x Coral Beauty

4 x Carpender's Flasher Wrasse (1 male, 3 female)
or
4 x Blue/geen Chromis (Cromis viridis)

I am trying to stay within 3.5"-4" max. fish length.

So far, I have only the tanks and the wavebox.

Any recommendations or concerns appreciated!

I have a concern with mixing the sixline wrasse with any other wrasse. A mix of wrasses is okay IMO without the sixline.

[Aquarist007]

Originally Posted by Korrine

Why not try a candy cane pistol (Randall's, I believe). They pair with the genus Strongobiops and another genus that starts with an "A", but I can't remember the full name.

Here are photos of my candy cane pistol w/my old Yasha haze gobies. I haven't had any problems with my pistol digging to much. I've had him since April of 2009.

Here is a FTS. The shrimp buries under the right rock. You'll need to make sure the rock is resting on the glass so when it digs it won't undermine the rock structure. Also, provide plenty of sand.

very nice Korrine

[Tylt33]

Originally Posted by Hermannsae

I have an 180gal Oceanic Reef-Tank (Indo-Pacific Theme).
75gal refugium with DSP/LR/Macro Algae and a approx. 60gal sump.
Deltec SC2060 Skimmer, GEO CR612 Calcium Reactor, Tunze Wavebox, 2x Tunze Turbelle Stream 2 or close loop.Lights: 2x 250W HQL, 4x 54W T5, Moonlight

I am planning to have:

2 x Blackray Shrimp Goby with shrimp
4 x Zebra Darfish
2 x Ocellaris Clownfish
2 x purple Firefish
1 x sixline Wrasse
1 x Coral Beauty

4 x Carpender's Flasher Wrasse (1 male, 3 female)
or
4 x Blue/geen Chromis (Cromis viridis)

I am trying to stay within 3.5"-4" max. fish length.

So far, I have only the tanks and the wavebox.

Any recommendations or concerns appreciated!

Without a lid you will lose 10+ of those fish within months. Egg crate won't work. Gobies, firefish, dartfish, wrasse, all dead. Go for a glass top, birdnetting, or something creative.

[Hermannsae]

Originally Posted by Tylt33

Without a lid you will lose 10+ of those fish within months. Egg crate won't work. Gobies, firefish, dartfish, wrasse, all dead. Go for a glass top, birdnetting, or something creative.

Good point!
Yes, I read that these fishes are prone to jump.
Although, I don’t know why. Is the tank to small? Are they stressed? Do bully fishes harass them?

I was opting for a frame with netting. Are ½” wholes small enough?

Thanks

[jimrawr]

Ok guys I recently setup a 92g corner tank and starting to think about which fish I would like. Here is what I am thinking of getting, and the order in which I will want to add them. Let me know what you think.

1. Fake Percula Clown
2. Hippo Tang (will get him at about 1-2 inches and remove him when he outgrows tank)
3. Fairy Wrasse
4. Bartlett Anthia
5. Flame Angel
6. Power Blue Tang (again, a small one)
7. Couple Chromis

I think I will be happy with these and its a low enough bioload for the tank. My concern is that the anthia and wrasse will jump, and my tank doesnt have a canopy or a cover. Its a corner tank so its hard trying to find anything that will keep the fish in. How prone are all these fish to jumping? A clown I had in a past tank went carpet surfing on me.. :/

Oh yeah, one more question.. A friend told me not to add the hippo tang too soon to a new tank (parameters are all perfect) because they are a sensitive fish. Not sure if hes right on this or not, but I want to add the hippo before I add any more territorial fish(Flame/Powder blue).. What do you think?

[Tylt33]

Originally Posted by Hermannsae

Good point!
Yes, I read that these fishes are prone to jump.
Although, I don’t know why. Is the tank to small? Are they stressed? Do bully fishes harass them?

I was opting for a frame with netting. Are ½” wholes small enough?

Thanks

Instinctively many of these fish "dart" or "bolt"- sometimes that direction is up. Firefish and Zebra Darts are most notorious for it. I had a Carpenter's Wrasse and two gobies jump on me, through 1/2" eggcrate. Not pleasant for my girlfriend to find.

I would do the netting, overlapped- maybe run one layer diagonal to the other. My gobies, despite having established homes, float around the tank at night sometimes while sleeping. I'm guessing if they get spooked while half asleep, they'll bolt.

[Tylt33]

Originally Posted by jimrawr

Ok guys I recently setup a 92g corner tank and starting to think about which fish I would like. Here is what I am thinking of getting, and the order in which I will want to add them. Let me know what you think.

1. Fake Percula Clown
2. Hippo Tang (will get him at about 1-2 inches and remove him when he outgrows tank)
3. Fairy Wrasse
4. Bartlett Anthia
5. Flame Angel
6. Power Blue Tang (again, a small one)
7. Couple Chromis

I think I will be happy with these and its a low enough bioload for the tank. My concern is that the anthia and wrasse will jump, and my tank doesnt have a canopy or a cover. Its a corner tank so its hard trying to find anything that will keep the fish in. How prone are all these fish to jumping? A clown I had in a past tank went carpet surfing on me.. :/

Oh yeah, one more question.. A friend told me not to add the hippo tang too soon to a new tank (parameters are all perfect) because they are a sensitive fish. Not sure if hes right on this or not, but I want to add the hippo before I add any more territorial fish(Flame/Powder blue).. What do you think?

Two tangs in a tank that size... yikes. Have you ever tried catching a tang in a tank? The "I'll remove it when it gets too big" is a dangerous road to go down. And yeah, the anthias and wrasse are likely to jump.

[jimrawr]

Originally Posted by Tylt33

Two tangs in a tank that size... yikes. Have you ever tried catching a tang in a tank? The "I'll remove it when it gets too big" is a dangerous road to go down. And yeah, the anthias and wrasse are likely to jump.

Do you say that because its not enough swimming space or because they will act territorial? The hippo will be no bigger than 2 inches

[Aquarist007]

Originally Posted by jimrawr

Do you say that because its not enough swimming space or because they will act territorial? The hippo will be no bigger than 2 inches

Because it is a corner tank then yes, it does not have enough length to it for larger tangs like the hypo.
You probably can get away with the powerblue or a yellow.

As the tangs grow larger they could grow territorial also and turn on each other.

As for intent to remove---I too had those intentions but due to financial problems it is not a possiblity

[Hermannsae]

Originally Posted by Tylt33

Instinctively many of these fish "dart" or "bolt"- sometimes that direction is up. Firefish and Zebra Darts are most notorious for it. I had a Carpenter's Wrasse and two gobies jump on me, through 1/2" eggcrate. Not pleasant for my girlfriend to find.

I would do the netting, overlapped- maybe run one layer diagonal to the other. My gobies, despite having established homes, float around the tank at night sometimes while sleeping. I'm guessing if they get spooked while half asleep, they'll bolt.

Thanks for the advice. I always can go with a smaller mesh size. I am only concerned that it will take too much light away, even if I go with a white/clear net.
Maybe even some problems with the heat from HQL's??

I guess if we would know what's on their mind, we all would be happier.

[Powdermonkey]

Do you guys suggest fish as well. I do not have a list but would like some suggestions.

Thanks

[jimrawr]

Originally Posted by capn_hylinur

Because it is a corner tank then yes, it does not have enough length to it for larger tangs like the hypo.
You probably can get away with the powerblue or a yellow.

As the tangs grow larger they could grow territorial also and turn on each other.

As for intent to remove---I too had those intentions but due to financial problems it is not a possiblity

Its 4 feet from corner to corner, that's not enough room for a hippo?

[Aquarist007]

Originally Posted by jimrawr

Its 4 feet from corner to corner, that's not enough room for a hippo?

My hippo is about six inches now in a 4 foot tank--it is 4 years old to give you some kind of answer.
Bottom line--if you put a hippo in then be prepared to take it out at some point.

[Tylt33]

Originally Posted by Hermannsae

Thanks for the advice. I always can go with a smaller mesh size. I am only concerned that it will take too much light away, even if I go with a white/clear net.
Maybe even some problems with the heat from HQL's??

I guess if we would know what's on their mind, we all would be happier.

I went with a really fine insect guard mesh at first, definitely lost a lot of light, yet had no problem keeping ~50 different SPS frags mid-level (~20" below) two 250w halides. I modified it to double layered bird netting and noticed a huge difference.

[yongpanda]

18 gallon ada tank. ardou 24"x12"x14"
have two juvi false clowns. i wanted to keep a juvi 4 line wrasee as well as a spotted mandarin that is trained to take in mysis. is this okay?

no skimmer, jstu weekly water changes.

[Hermannsae]

Originally Posted by Tylt33

I went with a really fine insect guard mesh at first, definitely lost a lot of light, yet had no problem keeping ~50 different SPS frags mid-level (~20" below) two 250w halides. I modified it to double layered bird netting and noticed a huge difference.

You didn't meassure it by any chance? Well, I will do some experiments with different materials. I keep you posted.
Thanks

[Aquarist007]

Originally Posted by yongpanda

18 gallon ada tank. ardou 24"x12"x14"
have two juvi false clowns. i wanted to keep a juvi 4 line wrasee as well as a spotted mandarin that is trained to take in mysis. is this okay?

no skimmer, jstu weekly water changes.

the spotted mandarin although trained to eat mysis, their long term health depends on live copopods. You can buy live copopods, more expensive then producing them on your own however.

[thetonyage]

so my tanks about a month old now with 50 pounds of live rock and 50 pounds of base rock. i have no livestock yet as the cycle is just about done. i have a crazy diatom bloom, like everywhere i can almost not see into my tank. and i found 2 aiptasia in my tank. my sg is 1.025. ph is 8.4 ammonia 0.2 nitrite 0.75 nitrate 3 ppm. i know the parameters arent perfect but i was wondering if it would be ok to add a clean up crew yet to deal with this algae and aiptasia? this is what was suggested to me by reefcleaners:
39 Nassarius Vibex
38 Juvenile Florida Cerith
18 Blue Leg Hermit Crab
10 Nerite Snails (Large)
10 Nerite Snails (Small - Medium)
100 Dwarf Cerith

[serval]

thetonyage,
Reefcleaners sure likes to estimate high on the CUC! Is your tank 100g? (my guess). I think you should start with considerably fewer animals. I have a 55 gallon tank and here's what works for me:
7 Nassarius
20 Cerith
20 Nerite snails
NO hermits (more trouble than they are worth, though they are entertaining)
10 Astraea (not from Indopacific, but have a somewhat different feeding strategy)
1 Trochus (he hitchhiked)

I would buy from your local fish store rather than mail order so you can pick and choose. Perhaps the experts here have a refinement to this?

[thetonyage]

its 125 gallons and the only lfs is petco. im only 2 hours from that fish place in lancaster but i figured id make that drive when it comes to stocking fish. i was wondering about the hermits too, what makes them more trouble than theyre worth?

[serval]

Hermits: if you don't provide the right kind (to their liking) of alternate shells, they will kill your snails efficiently to steal their shells. They fight with each other too. I didn't notice them being all that helpful. Most experienced reefers leave out crabs, though a few enjoy hermits because they are clumsy and fun to watch (and they supposedly eat green algae which I, knock on wood, as yet have no experience with). I re-homed all my hermits fairly quickly after I started out. Didn't like the carnage.