PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Sk8r]

Ok on the mandy.
The flame will probably take after your corals, sooner or later.
Lawnmower ok.
either tang ok. The copperband is hard to feed, and you should not buy one straight out of the box from the distributor: if you can score one that's been a long time at the lfs and eating well...
Some of the smallest blennies are good for color: the stonogobiops nematodes, eg. a few blue chromis. stay away from wrasses if you want the mandy; competitors for pods.
clown mate---the ocellaris are fairly reasonable in behavior.
Other tangs to consider: tomini is good, no size issues at all in a 125. purple---the purple's great if you have no other pancake-shaped fishes. Rep for fighting only applies to flat fishes: will be milder-dispositioned than two mating clownfish.
One of my own faves is the yellow watchman with tiger pistol shrimp---but that shrimp moves a lot of sand.

[Sk8r]

sacremon: clearfin lion is a beauty.
i like the purple tang: quiet and peaceful in a tank without flat fish to sideswipe: most of mine are cigar-shaped and mine was perfectly peaceful algae eater. (Tangs: WANT to eat crustaceans, and shouldn't gorge on them---they NEED to eat greens, and a lot of them.)

[sacremon]

I'm going to potentially give a desjardins sailfin a try after talking with the LFS owner. The rabbitfish is somewhat flat, but I'm not sure who would come out worse for it from a clash between the tang and the rabbit. Probably the tang if the rabbit managed to sting it.

LFS owner says he hasn't seen purple tangs on the wholesaler sheets for several weeks now. Seems to be a relative drought for certain species of fish at the moment.

[Sk8r]

seasonal.
That's right, re the rabbit---forgot that guy (I'm juggling alot of fish in interlaced posts here. ) And rabbits are dangerous mostly because they ARE confirmed cowards. They think they're cornered. I think those opal eyes mostly see greens in some odd fashion, and they don't see well otherwise.
A more peaceful tang might be good.
If your lion wouldn't eat him, a yellow dottyback could certainly hold his own in most situations. I had one in a 100g, and they're interesting: relative of the wolf eel, and much of the disposition. One of the toughest fish I ever owned.
And for sheer movement---the damsels. They like a long run, hold their own turf, and the blue velvet (actually a black fish with an electric blue stripe) is going to keep the pot stirred at all times---if it wouldn't bully the lion, which it might. I had a nice balance of terror in a 100g with 4 different damsels, 7 chromis, and various special fishes. The damsels made a nice background fish and were always active. The blue devil is actually a much nicer damsel than the blue velvet, who IS the devil. And the blue yellow-tail is busy, but not too aggressive.

[LulusMoogle]

My turn! I just bought my 29g Biocube and skimmer. It won't be set up for another month since my dad and I are just starting to build the stand, but I just want to make sure that I don't have to make any revisions to my plan (again!).

I will be removing the bioballs from the middle chamber and replacing them with LR rubble and some chaeto (sp??). I will have roughly 35 - 40 lbs of LR and a 2" - 3" sandbed. For corals, I want to keep softies and a few LPS. No SPS for me.

For a cleanup crew, I will have a cleaner shrimp, a peppermint shrimp, 2 or 3 hermits, and 5 nassarius snails. Here are the fish I plan to add:

1 black and white clown (and possibly, though not likely, a false perc. to pair)
1 yellow watchman
1 flame angel

I don't want to add more than 4 fish to the tank. I may be able to handle the bioload, but I don't want my fishies to be crowded. To me, that's just as bad. I do have one question about the yellow watchman... I know he likes to make a burrow, so do I need a deeper sandbed to accomodate him?

As for the flame angel, I know that a 29g is a little small for him, but... I think it'll work. If he's unhappy, I'll gladly hand him over to another reefer or back to the LFS.

[LulusMoogle]

Oh, I almost forgot! I've recently become interested in a flame scallop addition later on. Will that work? Or will it interfere with the corals and fish?

Also, I am planning to keep a BTA. Forgot that, too.

[Sk8r]

You should be good with that. THe watchman will be fine: he'll be happiest in a live rock stack at sand level, so leave him a cave...lots of open spaces in your rockwork. Lay down eggcrate grid first, then base rock (if any) then live rock, then sand. That way things won't move on you.
You're going to need some more snails, likely. And I really don't recommend cleaner-creatures (unless you just like their look) in a small tank, because what they clean is fish, and they can make a bonafide pest of themselves in cramped quarters: they eat the fish's slime, dead scales, etc, and you know what a manicure feels like if the manicurist goes on too long...
I'd go for some micro-hermits, maybe a green mithrax crab (one of the few safe ones), and some turbos, chestnuts, and the like in the snail department, as well as the nassarius (who will disappear under the sandbed.) You may not have enough crud to feed a nassarius at first: you might want to wait 3 months on that species.

Otherwise, you should be in good shape. The angel is less likely to nip soft corals. Your stony coral lps could come under attack. So be aware. Angels usually live by eating bits of every stony coral on a given stretch of reef. With a mile to run, they're actually beneficial, stimulating coral growth, some think: in the limits of a tank, it's a problem.

[LulusMoogle]

Alright. Thank you. I do like the look of cleaner shrimp, so I may end up just getting that one and not the peppermint. However, if I see he's become more of a nuisance, then he'll have to go, as well.

I did read one of your posts back about the flame angel. I'm prepared for that. Hence why I will watch his behavior.

As for the snails, I really don't like snails. But I suppose I'll have to suck it up. Keep the tank happy.

Thank you for this awesome personalize attention! One of the best threads I've ever seen and participated in. It should be stickied, I agree. An extremely helpful thread. Thank you so much!

[Stuart60611]

I posted my anticipated stock list before on another thread, but now that I see this thread perhaps I could get some confirmation.

I have a standard 125 (6 feet long) FOWLR with a 55 gallon sump/refugium. About 150 lbs of rock, decent skimmer, and dual reactors (1 for GFO and 1 for carbon).

Stock list:

1) Two yellow tail damsels (3 inches at adult)
2) Australian Tusk (10 inches as adult)
3) Picasso Trigger (10 inches as adult)
4) Pinkface or Five Stripe Wrasse (6 inches as adult)
5) Honey Comb Toby Puffer (4 inches as adult)
6) Yellow Eye or Kole Tang (6 inches as adult)
7) One Spot Foxface (6 inches as adult)
8) Flame Hawk (4 inches as adult)

What do you think?

[ihavtats29]

Originally posted by mongerman
I beg to differ. Mine eats anything I put in front of him. Guess it comes down to the individual lionfish and the aquarist's dedication in training it. I starved mine for a few days before he ate. In fact, the lionfish care sheet states fuzzies as the easiest and fu man chu's as the most difficult, but I'm sure there is the exceptional case

the one i had purchased i later found out was wild caught i tryed the starve for 2 - 3 days but it didnt work like i said i tryed every trick in the book.

[Sk8r]

Sometimes it's the luck of the critter you get. There's a great deal more individuality in these highly instinctive creatures than we sometimes give them credit for. I've had one 1" long fish that, alone of his 2 other buds, keeps hitting the sump, and can take an hour to catch in a bare 12x12 return compartment of my sump. The other two are perfectly well behaved. My mandy never would learn to eat frozen---until she started following a purple tang around, and she discovered mysis was food. Now you can't keep her away at feeding time.
They ARE individuals, and sometimes a one-inch micro-brained fish can get the better of the reefer with 40 yrs experience at catching fish.

[otrlynn]

Still dithering about the last couple of additions to my tank. I have always liked the look of the inexpensive blue green chromis. I know that I have read about people putting in a small handful so that they will shoal, but then I read about them killing off each other until they are down to the "chosen few". Liveaquaria says that they "prefer" to be kept in small groups-----So what's the best move one, two, or three chromises (chromii?)?

[Sk8r]

Stuart, sorry, I was offline digging a koi pond and missed that:
"1) Two yellow tail damsels (3 inches at adult)
2) Australian Tusk (10 inches as adult)
3) Picasso Trigger (10 inches as adult)
4) Pinkface or Five Stripe Wrasse (6 inches as adult)
5) Honey Comb Toby Puffer (4 inches as adult)
6) Yellow Eye or Kole Tang (6 inches as adult)
7) One Spot Foxface (6 inches as adult)
8) Flame Hawk (4 inches as adult)"
You really should be fine: a bit heavy, so have a good skimmer, but I think the tank would handle that with good equipment. A fuge wouldn't hurt: helps clean the water up.

Otrlynn: I have one chromis in a 54, and it's a great arrangement: the chromis is happy being boss chromis, and is extreme high color (all flunky chromis are always pale)---I dont' think a chromis can be happier than being boss with absolutely no challenges. He practically glows from across the room.

[otrlynn]

Thanks Sk8r--one Chromis it will be! What color chromis do you have?

[Sk8r]

I have the blue phase, a rare color in the usually-pinkish undersea world, and he just shines.

[orgtizz]

Okay nobody has ever been able to help me so far, so maybe all of you can. I won't go through all of my equipment, as it is listed below; I will say that I have the following critters inside:

- 1 blue hippo
- 2 Sebae Clowns
- 2 Fire Fish
- 1 Skunk Cleaner
- 3 Peppermint Shrimp
- Numerous hermits
- 4 - 5 Nassarius (spelling)
- 2 King K's
- 1 Salley Lightfoot

All of my water param's are in check 0 trates, trites, NH3 8.2 ph. I feed a little 2 days on 1 off. My problem is that I have a horrible hair algae problem. It started about April when my tube worm died and started a cyano blum. I have since got rid of my cyano, but I have pale green and dark green algae all over. The algae grows pretty quick, and kind of pulls off like its reaching for the lights. It easily breaks off when its at that point. I had snails that would eat it, but all of my snails die for no reason. I have been told that its due to my powerheads. What do you think?

[Teen Aquarist]

Originally posted by Rustylugnuts
Here's my fish question. How will a magenta dottyback (P. porphyrea) do as a community fish? I just got one for about a third the price of an orchid dotty back and he/she is doin great in quarantine (chowin mysids the night it came home).It looks as if the reviews are mixed, some play well with others some end up as the school yard bully. Right now its the only fish I have but once the 40 is cycled I plan on adding a handful of other fish (not sure exactly what yet, open to suggestions). Anyone have experience with this critter?

HI UMMM i bet u already put him in ur tank. I have one and he has killed three fish. he seems ok with hawkfish and clowns but any gobies he even smells he will hunt down and kill. Oh and you cant catch them hahahaha.


Best of luck

[Teen Aquarist]

Ok I have one. My friend is giving his 55 gal tank. I want to have a really cool fish that i can set the hole tank up for. I was thinking about an octopus or a lionfish.

[kau_cinta_ku]

a dwarf lion would be ok, but the octo I wouldn't suggest it unless you really seal up the tank.

[SaltSolutions1]

45 GALLON REEF TANK

This may be a bit lengthy but I want to make sure you know what I have set up before you recommend what my tank capacity is for any more livestock.

I have 2 percula clowns (that don't go near my bulb anemone that is about 7" in diameter when she opens up) A beautiful home for those guys and they have no interest.

Here is the rest of my stock list:

FISH
In addition to the two percula clowns, I have:
1 Leopard Wrasse
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Six Line Wrasse

CLEANUP CREW
3 Snails
1 Decorator Crab
At least 2 small Hermit Crabs

CORALS
encrusting gorgonia
toadstool
duncan polyps
star polyps
(all very small amounts)

FILTRATION
CPR Bak Pak 2 Protein Skimmer with Biological Filtration
Maxi-Jet 1200 Powerhead
80 lbs. Live Rock

10 gallon Refugium with a little live Sand, 1 pound of Live Rock, and a handful of chaeto (I hang a media bag of carbon 1 week out of the month or when I treat the water)

LIGHTING
Main Tank:
Compact Fluorescent fixture with 4 96w bulbs and 3 lunar lights
Refugium:
Coralife T-5 Series 24" fixture laying over top of refugium tank with full-spectrum bulb and 6700K plant bulb

I want to put more coral (zoas, brain coral, clam, flame scallops, and some others) fish (looking to add a royal gramma and maybe a couple anthias), and clean up crew (I am not sure what the rule of thumb is for a cleanup crew/I want to make sure I have the correct amount of inverts to keep my tank clean).

I need recommendations on buffer for raising pH. ( I am at 7.8 )
I would like comments on "purple up" (does it work?)

water parameters:
salinity 1.025
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
alkalinity 11
temperature between 78 and 82 depending on lights on or lights off
lights run from 3pm - 11pm on the display tank and from 9am - 11pm on my refugium

Please lend me all of your suggestions.....Thank you in advance!

[Sk8r]

you're fine with your coral plans: coral doesn't add bioload: it is a filter, so it actually subtracts it, if healthy. I'd use a CuC of about 30-40 mixed worms, turbos, micro hermits. Nix the flame scallops; they fly about your tank bumping into things (not kidding) and then starve unless you pour in so much phyto it'll give you phosphate problems. Alas, your tank is too small for anthias. For a spark of brilliant color, try a single chromis, either green or blue, maybe a yellow watchman or flasher wrasse...caution a bit re other wrasses, so ask around on that one. Or maybe a chalk basslet or firefish (caution: that one jumps.) You could lengthen the light period on your fuge to nearly round the clock.
Re your ph problem: if you're going to be keeping stony coral anyway, get test and supplement for calcium and magnesium. Skip the Purple Up and just set your water as follows;
alk: 8.3-9.3, cal 420, mg about 1400...That's what stony coral needs, plus a little on the magnesium, and that elevated magnesium is what your coralline needs to grow.

[SaltSolutions1]

thanks, i will look into getting a chromis and a goby or wrasse....i'm gonna google pics of them now......as far as the cleanup crew goes, should I add what u have listed here to what i have already? is so, i will add 30-40 mixed worms, but how many of the other things u mentioned (turbos, micro hermits)?

also, all i have for testing is a tetra test kit. no testing capabilities for calcium and magnesium (and alkalinity testing only has a change of color type of test....no #'s)

i will be getting a better test kit this weekend (any recommendations?)

thanks for the help

[SaltSolutions1]

i just looked at the pictures......can i add all 3 of them? (blue/green chromis, yellow watchman goby, and a carpenter flasher wrasse)?

[Sk8r]

Ask about the wrasse. The ywg doesn't add much bioload: he cleans sand for his food. So you might get away with all 3, but but that should be the last fishes.
30 means 30 cleaners in all: half a dozen each, worms, snails, hermits, plus extras of the ones you like best.
I use the Salifert kits; I have also heard Elos is good.
For hand-dosing I use Kent dkh Buffer, Kent Turbo Calcium, Kent Tech-M (magnesium.). Get a little notebook in which you can write down your results and spot whether readings are rising or falling over a period of days. That will teach you a lot about how your particular tank behaves. And don't neglect testing for nitrate/ammonia. Corals don't tolerate ammonia: and nitrate is a precursor of ammonia. So if it starts rising, the remedy is a water change. If you spot any ammonia, immediately run (washed!) carbon (unwashed sheds black through your tank: just wash it off in some ro/di water before using).

Your lawnmower and a ywg may spar around a bit, but it should be mostly bluster.

[Willieb18]

20L with a 10 sump. Two bulb T5 Retro. ~2" sand bed.

1 Picasso Clown
CUC
LPS
Softies

Want to add:
Small Wrasse (can anyone suggest one?)
Jaw Fish (after I add more sand)