PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by RyanBrucks
Another great thread Sk8r

I'll have a go!

My tank is a "220" if you use the outside dimensions (72x24x30) and don't subtract the sandbed.... but realistically its a more like a 180 inside. However total system volume is around 400 gallons.


Here's a list of fish I want to keep eventually:


Powder Brown Tang (white cheek.... actually my favorite tang)
Naso Tang
Achilles Tang (maybe)

Scotts Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum)
2x Tamarin Wrasse

Lyretail Anthias, 1 male and ~5 females.

School of BlueGreen Chromis (7 or so)

Scarus Quoyi (quoy's parrotfish) this is a BIG maybe and big eventually... I dont know much about this fish. Any info appreciated.

2x Percula Clown

Green Mandarin

Randalli Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus Randalli)
Yashia Goby (Stonogobiops yasha)

Diamond Watchman Goby (Valencienna puellaris)

Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus)


Those are the basics I've had in mind for a while. Anything wrong with it?

Ryan--you have obviously done your homework here----that is a well thought out list IMO

Have you had any luck with 5 anthias--I haven't--always whittle each other down to a pair

[13threefmaniac]

Originally posted by CrazyCohiba
Can some one probably tell me the name of this fish. I think its some tyoe of Goby, but not sure. I have seen a video of it and it sucks up sand from its mouth and looks like it spits it out of his/her gills. Great sand cleaner I'm thinking.
Thanks in advance.

Most or all(if i'm not mistaken) members of the Valenciennea species exhibit this kind of feeding behaviour. Common names would include the Diamond Watchman Goby, Golden-headed Sleeper Goby and Blueband Goby.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by 13threefmaniac
Most or all(if i'm not mistaken) members of the Valenciennea species exhibit this kind of feeding behaviour. Common names would include the Diamond Watchman Goby, Golden-headed Sleeper Goby and Blueband Goby.

You are correct:

http://www.freeinfosociety.com/site.php?postnum=847

[13threefmaniac]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
I am not trying to be critical here but you maybe should reconsider using a super fine argonite in your display tank.
For all practical reasons sugar argonite is best used in conjunction with a deep sand bed. And the trend is to run the dsb remotely as in another dedicated fuge.
That way you get all the benifits of nitrogen reduction and it is easy to clean and or doesn't cause problems down the line releasing gases ect back into the display tank..
"Many" of our fish and inverts that inhabit the substrate tend to prefer a medium grade argonite and if they start burrowing in the sugar size they can make a heck of a mess/sand storm.

I do plan on running a remote DSB with sugar fine aragonite as the medium. What you say about using medium grade aragonite for the display makes a lot of sense though (wouldnt want any sandstorms in the tank) especially since i plan to have a good amount of flow throughout the tank. Goes to show no matter how much ypu plan, there always will be something amiss. Thanks Capn!!

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by 13threefmaniac
I do plan on running a remote DSB with sugar fine aragonite as the medium. What you say about using medium grade aragonite for the display makes a lot of sense though (wouldnt want any sandstorms in the tank) especially since i plan to have a good amount of flow throughout the tank. Goes to show no matter how much ypu plan, there always will be something amiss. Thanks Capn!!

glad to help Chris

[CrazyCohiba]

another Newbie question.
I have read many threads stating that air bubbles are no good for reef aquariums. I am in the process of buying a pump to move water around in my tank. and some of these pump state that they have tubes for aeration to get oxygen in the water. Am I missing something?
Can someone explain.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by CrazyCohiba
another Newbie question.
I have read many threads stating that air bubbles are no good for reef aquariums. I am in the process of buying a pump to move water around in my tank. and some of these pump state that they have tubes for aeration to get oxygen in the water. Am I missing something?
Can someone explain.

those pumps are usually used to run skimmers.
You need good circulation 20-40 times your tank vol in gph and the surface should be really churning and not covered.
The surface area is where the gas exchange occurs and in the sump and skimmer.

Some reefers claim microbubbles irritate sps corals.

You do not need to add oxygen to a health tank--coral and algae , phtoplankton in the water produce it through photosynthesis and it is exhanged at the surface of your tank

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by CrazyCohiba
another Newbie question.
I have read many threads stating that air bubbles are no good for reef aquariums. I am in the process of buying a pump to move water around in my tank. and some of these pump state that they have tubes for aeration to get oxygen in the water. Am I missing something?
Can someone explain.

check the Koralia blog out on my Capn's log book--it has alot of information on flow
just click the little red house icon

[CrazyCohiba]

Will Do
Thank You capn_hylinur

"I LOVE THIS FORUM"

[jusbechillin]

135 gallon FOWLR. 30 gallon wet/dry converted to a sump. In the sump I have about 30 lbs of live rock, carbon, nitrate sponge, ASM G2 skimmer. I also plan on adding a DIY refugium before stocking the tank. Just bought a Red Sea Ozone generator/reddox controller which I will be running 24/7 low dose through an old skimmer as well. Two koralia Hydor #3 and one Hydor #1. 200 watt Heater. The DT is mostly Lace Rock but there is also 30-40 lbs of live rock mixed in it as well. Crushed coral aprox 1" at the bottom of the tank. I have two lights available to use..... any prefference? 60" Orbit 2 150 watt HQI & 2 130 watt actinic or a 72" Coralife 6*96 watts PC. Am I missing anything? Tank is 72 x 24 x 18.

Heres some fish I've been eyeballing:

Really like the zebra moray but heard it hides a lot so now I am thinking a Jeweled moray.

Achilles Tang (think hes eel food or okay?)

Blonde Nasso Tang

Annularis Angelfish (think he looks cool =) )

Black Hawaiin Trigger

Picasso Trigger (only fish I already own but am not attached if he needs to be traded in to LFS)

Would any type of lion fish be okay? I am afraid the triggers will pick on him from what I've been reading

Some sort of puffer (havent picked one out yet)

Raccoon Fasciatus Butterflyfish (looks cool but might get beat up?)



Just kinda throwing this together surely open to sugestions of any sort.

Also any suggestions on what to put in the refugium and how big it should be?

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by jusbechillin
135 gallon FOWLR. 30 gallon wet/dry converted to a sump. In the sump I have about 30 lbs of live rock, carbon, nitrate sponge, ASM G2 skimmer. I also plan on adding a DIY refugium before stocking the tank. Just bought a Red Sea Ozone generator/reddox controller which I will be running 24/7 low dose through an old skimmer as well. Two koralia Hydor #3 and one Hydor #1. 200 watt Heater. The DT is mostly Lace Rock but there is also 30-40 lbs of live rock mixed in it as well. Crushed coral aprox 1" at the bottom of the tank. I have two lights available to use..... any prefference? 60" Orbit 2 150 watt HQI & 2 130 watt actinic or a 72" Coralife 6*96 watts PC. Am I missing anything? Tank is 72 x 24 x 18.

Heres some fish I've been eyeballing:

Really like the zebra moray but heard it hides a lot so now I am thinking a Jeweled moray.

Achilles Tang (think hes eel food or okay?)

Blonde Nasso Tang

Annularis Angelfish (think he looks cool =) )

Black Hawaiin Trigger

Picasso Trigger (only fish I already own but am not attached if he needs to be traded in to LFS)

Would any type of lion fish be okay? I am afraid the triggers will pick on him from what I've been reading

Some sort of puffer (havent picked one out yet)

Raccoon Fasciatus Butterflyfish (looks cool but might get beat up?)



Just kinda throwing this together surely open to sugestions of any sort.

Also any suggestions on what to put in the refugium and how big it should be?

I'll admit I don't have alot of experience with those fish but you might consider putting the lionfish or the clown trigger on their own in the refugium--they make a nice show piece if you keep the front on the fuge clean

[jusbechillin]

No clown trigger

[jener8tionx]

24 gal aquapod with:

5-6 hermits
5-6 snails
1 black false perc
1 orange false perc

Will the two percs pair up, or will they fight to the death? I will get the black one first and a very young orange one later.

[13threefmaniac]

Originally posted by jusbechillin
135 gallon FOWLR. 30 gallon wet/dry converted to a sump. In the sump I have about 30 lbs of live rock, carbon, nitrate sponge, ASM G2 skimmer. I also plan on adding a DIY refugium before stocking the tank. Just bought a Red Sea Ozone generator/reddox controller which I will be running 24/7 low dose through an old skimmer as well. Two koralia Hydor #3 and one Hydor #1. 200 watt Heater. The DT is mostly Lace Rock but there is also 30-40 lbs of live rock mixed in it as well. Crushed coral aprox 1" at the bottom of the tank. I have two lights available to use..... any prefference? 60" Orbit 2 150 watt HQI & 2 130 watt actinic or a 72" Coralife 6*96 watts PC. Am I missing anything? Tank is 72 x 24 x 18.

Heres some fish I've been eyeballing:

Really like the zebra moray but heard it hides a lot so now I am thinking a Jeweled moray.

Achilles Tang (think hes eel food or okay?)

Blonde Nasso Tang

Annularis Angelfish (think he looks cool =) )

Black Hawaiin Trigger

Picasso Trigger (only fish I already own but am not attached if he needs to be traded in to LFS)

Would any type of lion fish be okay? I am afraid the triggers will pick on him from what I've been reading

Some sort of puffer (havent picked one out yet)

Raccoon Fasciatus Butterflyfish (looks cool but might get beat up?)



Just kinda throwing this together surely open to sugestions of any sort.

Also any suggestions on what to put in the refugium and how big it should be?

Wouldn't the tangs and the angel outgrow a tank of that size pretty fast?

[xskyzx]

6xline wrasse, hifin goby, yellow head jawfish and tail spot blenny in 17 gallons?


would they be ok ? thanks.

[Sk8r]

jusbechillin---Add up your adult sizes: go to liveaquaria.com and not that info: they do give it. I think the achilles is likely to find that too small. For a trigger, I'd recommend the bluethroat or niger; the angel ok with NO other angels; and the butterflyfish, unfortunately, requires two degrees less temperature than I would recommend with your other fish.
I'd recommend getting onto a site like liveaquaria with your fish list and getting into their compatibility chart. Fish need to be picked on grounds of compatibility and similar needs, without competition with each other---that guarantees a fight. Your puffer, itself a bit nippish, may be the target of some of the other fish. Ideally, you want fish with 'perfect' finnage and don't want their fins eaten off. I'm also worried about length of experience: some of these fish (the eel) are difficult feeders, which may mean either starvation or a penchant for eating their live tankmates: you are talking about some difficult and expensive fishes that attain great size in only a 135 g tank: I'd say start with your 4 greatest desires and get them well-grown in a 135, and then look at upgrading.

xskyzx, the 6-line may be a problem: they're fairly aggressive with smaller fish. I'd add him last, definitely, and have an agreement you can trade him to the lfs for, say, a second highfin or jawfish if he starts harassing other fishes.

[mike2232]

20g long:

1 High-fin goby
1 smith's Blenny
1 Onyx Clown
1 fireball angel

and maybe if i can fit a neon goby or fire fish or something like that. any opinions needed

[Don Z]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
your right on top of things year--I see no problem with adding the Tomini tang--nice choice since it is on the small side for tangs(9 inches I believe as an adult)

Re water chemistry:
Your parameters are excellent but-----
I would raise the magnesium level to 1300 ppm--that is the level close to sea water which holds a level of around 400ppm calcium.

Thanks Capn..I'll work on getting the Mg up. I've located a juvenile who's eating great and supposedly healthy at a LFS 2 hrs. away and will be taking a look at it this weekend. QT tanks up and running for it just in case...

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Sk8r
jusbechillin---Add up your adult sizes: go to liveaquaria.com and not that info: they do give it. I think the achilles is likely to find that too small. For a trigger, I'd recommend the bluethroat or niger; the angel ok with NO other angels; and the butterflyfish, unfortunately, requires two degrees less temperature than I would recommend with your other fish.
I'd recommend getting onto a site like liveaquaria with your fish list and getting into their compatibility chart. Fish need to be picked on grounds of compatibility and similar needs, without competition with each other---that guarantees a fight. Your puffer, itself a bit nippish, may be the target of some of the other fish. Ideally, you want fish with 'perfect' finnage and don't want their fins eaten off. I'm also worried about length of experience: some of these fish (the eel) are difficult feeders, which may mean either starvation or a penchant for eating their live tankmates: you are talking about some difficult and expensive fishes that attain great size in only a 135 g tank: I'd say start with your 4 greatest desires and get them well-grown in a 135, and then look at upgrading.

xskyzx, the 6-line may be a problem: they're fairly aggressive with smaller fish. I'd add him last, definitely, and have an agreement you can trade him to the lfs for, say, a second highfin or jawfish if he starts harassing other fishes.

compatability chart?


here you go:

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=267

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Don Z
Thanks Capn..I'll work on getting the Mg up. I've located a juvenile who's eating great and supposedly healthy at a LFS 2 hrs. away and will be taking a look at it this weekend. QT tanks up and running for it just in case...

not just in case Don---for sure run every fish purchase in a qt tank if not just for observation or to get feeding properly.

SK8R has an excellent thread on using a qt tank---I look for the link

here it is :

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1420521

[becky2312]

I have a 46 bow and although I'm not ready to add fish yet, I'm trying to figure out what I want and would appreciate suggestions. I know I want 2 ocellaris clowns and I'd like to have a Coral Beauty Angelfish, although I'm not sure if my tank is quite big enough. Here are others I am considering:

Sixline Wrasse
Lawnmower Blenny
Banggai Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal
Yellow Watchman Goby and Pistol Shrmp

Which of these would/wouldn't work together? Any other suggestions that would be nice in this size tank? Any I should make sure to add first/last?

THANKS!

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by becky2312
I have a 46 bow and although I'm not ready to add fish yet, I'm trying to figure out what I want and would appreciate suggestions. I know I want 2 ocellaris clowns and I'd like to have a Coral Beauty Angelfish, although I'm not sure if my tank is quite big enough. Here are others I am considering:

Sixline Wrasse
Lawnmower Blenny
Banggai Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal
Yellow Watchman Goby and Pistol Shrmp

Which of these would/wouldn't work together? Any other suggestions that would be nice in this size tank? Any I should make sure to add first/last?

THANKS!

Have a look at this video on U-tube before considering a pistol shrimp:

http://www.myfishtank.net/youtube-vi...-shrimp-video/

all your other choices are compatabile with each other and the yellow watchman is an intersting fish as long as you don't mind some disruption in the sand bed

[ReefEnabler]

Originally posted by 13threefmaniac
I shall try and contribute to the thread.
I would think that the Naso would eventually outgrow that tank as will the Archilles. I have no experience with the Powder brown so i shall not comment. The green Chromis may play nice, or they may kill each other off til only 1 or 2 remain. Seeing that you have a sandbed, the Diamond Goby should do fine initially, but in the long run it will strip it(the sandbed) of all beneficial fauna and will eventually starve to death if it refuses frozen food/flakes/pellets. The starry blenny would pose a problem if you plan to keep SPS as they feed on SPS coral polyps, IME.

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess the Naso probably will outgrow my tank..... when I was planning I thought 220 was HUGE, and now that I look at it with rocks in, seems so much smaller I'm definitely planning to upgrade already hahahaha


"Seeing that you have a sandbed, the Diamond Goby should do fine initially, but in the long run it will strip it(the sandbed) of all beneficial fauna and will eventually starve to death if it refuses frozen food/flakes/pellets. "

my tank has a 5" DSB and then I have a separate 50g refugium that has a buncha live rock and live rock rubble.... I have not added sand to the refugium yet but I might. Do you really think the diamond goby could strip a sandbed that large with a separate refugium? I thought it would help me keep a clean sandbed, but I dont want to overdo it

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by RyanBrucks
Thanks for the suggestions. I guess the Naso probably will outgrow my tank..... when I was planning I thought 220 was HUGE, and now that I look at it with rocks in, seems so much smaller I'm definitely planning to upgrade already hahahaha


"Seeing that you have a sandbed, the Diamond Goby should do fine initially, but in the long run it will strip it(the sandbed) of all beneficial fauna and will eventually starve to death if it refuses frozen food/flakes/pellets. "

my tank has a 5" DSB and then I have a separate 50g refugium that has a buncha live rock and live rock rubble.... I have not added sand to the refugium yet but I might. Do you really think the diamond goby could strip a sandbed that large with a separate refugium? I thought it would help me keep a clean sandbed, but I dont want to overdo it

Most of the bethnic inverts that the goby goes after are in the first 1/2 inch of the sand bed--this is why you are better off giving your fish ect a one inch sand bed and running a deep sand bed remotely in another fuge.
Later on if you feel the goby starving seed the display tank with a cup or two from the remote sand bed which has had time to repopulate away from predators

[becky2312]

Thanks for the video on the pistol shrimp. I hadn't seen that before. Maybe I DON'T want one of those guys. LOL

Is there any certain order I should add the others in? Are the cardinals okay by themselves, or do they need to be in pairs or more?