Looking for comments on my set up

Matt Wilkie · 12/09/2007, 07:54 PM

Hi I've done alot of reading on RC but not alot of posting, I'm just wondering what everyone thinks about my first reef tank setup. Ive had it going for 2 months now and everything seems to be going smoothly but it would be nice to get some feedback. I got a 40G Hexagonal tank, 35lbs of live rock(more to come), 2" of live sand, Remora skimmer with the bubble eliminator, Fluval 305 filter which I plan on cleaning out every 2 weeks, Korilia 3 power head and the return from the fluval, PFO Pendant mogal base with 175w MH 10,000k and two 28w Atinics plus PFO nite lite. I'm putting a CPR HOB refugium in the new year along with more live rock and some coral as my tank matures. I'd like to get a Mandarin Goby in the future but I wanna make sure I got a good pod population. Here's what I have 4 tank mates:

2x False Ocellaris Clown - Amphiprion ocellaris
Orange Stripe Prawn Goby - Amblyeleotris randalli
Flame Angel - Centropyge loriculus
Blue Tang - Paracanthurus hepatus
Neon Goby - Gobiosoma oceanops
Open Brain Coral (Green) - Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
5 Astrea Snails, 5 Cerith Snails, 5 Margarita Snails
12 Blue and 3 Red legged Hermits
Cleaner Shrimp
I also have some Mushrooms and a few unknown softies

I would greatly appreciate what fellow RCer's think of my tank and any input on keeping a Mandarin on a smaller sized tank. One day I'd like to do a sump but I'm still a newbie and have dreams of owning a lager tank. Thx

jar05g · 12/09/2007, 08:08 PM

I've heard that Mandarins need to be in a tank that has matured at least 6 months. Also, I would get rid of the Blue Tang, as they need a lot of swimming room....at least a 4' long tank. Be careful with the Flame Angel when you start getting some coral...especially softies because angels have been known to nip at them. Everything else seems to be good. How about some pictures

Matt Wilkie · 12/09/2007, 08:28 PM

Matt Wilkie · 12/09/2007, 08:31 PM

Matt Wilkie · 12/09/2007, 08:38 PM

Ive added the tang and angel after the pics there not hiding, Ive heard about the flame angel and how it likes to nip. I hope he behaves I guess its hit or miss. I know the tang will get big but he might just grow to the tank I think I will keep him till I get a larger tank.

BangkokMatt · 12/09/2007, 08:54 PM

Your set up looks good.
I agree that tha tank is way to small for your Tang. You should really take it back. They need open space to 'thrust' through.
Fish don't grow to the size of the tank they fail to develop properly because conditions aren't right for them. This causes them huge health issues.
Unless you manage to get a mandarin which accepts prepared foods (unlikely) or you get a refugium you shoudn't get the fish. Good luck!

ACBlinky · 12/10/2007, 12:45 AM

You're off to a good start, and IMO you're doing the absolute best thing you could ever do for your tank - you're asking questions and doing lots of reading

Unfortunately the hippo tang really isn't suited to a 40g hex - try to imagine the fish at 10" and you can probably see right away why it's not going to work out long-term. Even tiny tangs will get stressed in too-small tanks, because as BangkokMatt said, they need open water and lots of tank length for swimming. IMHO hippos need at least a 6' tank - they're big, fast fish.

Your goby, clowns and dwarf angel are much more suited to a smaller reef. If you want to add something later, hawkfish (eat shrimp but are otherwise reef-safe), pseudochromis (dottybacks - also go after shrimp but are reef-safe otherwise), clown gobies, a pistol shrimp to pair with your Randall's goby, small fairy or lined wrasses, and other small fish that like to stay near/in the rockwork would all make good choices.

NirvanaFan · 12/10/2007, 08:15 AM

If you're going to get a mandarin I would suggest getting a fuge. You can get or make hang on back ones that may work well for you. If you are really looking to getting a mandarin get the fuge set up at least 2 months before you are going to add him.

Also, I would stay away from the lined wrasses and any other fish (like a scooter blenny) that will eat pods like the mandarin.

billhig1 · 12/10/2007, 08:54 AM

I would have to agree about the tang. I bought a blue tang 3 months ago while it was 2 inches, not it is about 4 inches long. I am wondering in if my tank is to small for him?

12/09/2007, 07:54 PM	#1
Matt Wilkie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 117	Looking for comments on my set up Hi I've done alot of reading on RC but not alot of posting, I'm just wondering what everyone thinks about my first reef tank setup. Ive had it going for 2 months now and everything seems to be going smoothly but it would be nice to get some feedback. I got a 40G Hexagonal tank, 35lbs of live rock(more to come), 2" of live sand, Remora skimmer with the bubble eliminator, Fluval 305 filter which I plan on cleaning out every 2 weeks, Korilia 3 power head and the return from the fluval, PFO Pendant mogal base with 175w MH 10,000k and two 28w Atinics plus PFO nite lite. I'm putting a CPR HOB refugium in the new year along with more live rock and some coral as my tank matures. I'd like to get a Mandarin Goby in the future but I wanna make sure I got a good pod population. Here's what I have 4 tank mates: 2x False Ocellaris Clown - Amphiprion ocellaris Orange Stripe Prawn Goby - Amblyeleotris randalli Flame Angel - Centropyge loriculus Blue Tang - Paracanthurus hepatus Neon Goby - Gobiosoma oceanops Open Brain Coral (Green) - Trachyphyllia geoffroyi 5 Astrea Snails, 5 Cerith Snails, 5 Margarita Snails 12 Blue and 3 Red legged Hermits Cleaner Shrimp I also have some Mushrooms and a few unknown softies I would greatly appreciate what fellow RCer's think of my tank and any input on keeping a Mandarin on a smaller sized tank. One day I'd like to do a sump but I'm still a newbie and have dreams of owning a lager tank. Thx

12/09/2007, 08:08 PM	#2
jar05g Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 167	I've heard that Mandarins need to be in a tank that has matured at least 6 months. Also, I would get rid of the Blue Tang, as they need a lot of swimming room....at least a 4' long tank. Be careful with the Flame Angel when you start getting some coral...especially softies because angels have been known to nip at them. Everything else seems to be good. How about some pictures __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 29 gallon saltwater

12/09/2007, 08:54 PM	#6
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	Your set up looks good. I agree that tha tank is way to small for your Tang. You should really take it back. They need open space to 'thrust' through. Fish don't grow to the size of the tank they fail to develop properly because conditions aren't right for them. This causes them huge health issues. Unless you manage to get a mandarin which accepts prepared foods (unlikely) or you get a refugium you shoudn't get the fish. Good luck! __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

12/10/2007, 12:45 AM	#7
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	You're off to a good start, and IMO you're doing the absolute best thing you could ever do for your tank - you're asking questions and doing lots of reading Unfortunately the hippo tang really isn't suited to a 40g hex - try to imagine the fish at 10" and you can probably see right away why it's not going to work out long-term. Even tiny tangs will get stressed in too-small tanks, because as BangkokMatt said, they need open water and lots of tank length for swimming. IMHO hippos need at least a 6' tank - they're big, fast fish. Your goby, clowns and dwarf angel are much more suited to a smaller reef. If you want to add something later, hawkfish (eat shrimp but are otherwise reef-safe), pseudochromis (dottybacks - also go after shrimp but are reef-safe otherwise), clown gobies, a pistol shrimp to pair with your Randall's goby, small fairy or lined wrasses, and other small fish that like to stay near/in the rockwork would all make good choices. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

12/09/2007, 08:28 PM	#3
Matt Wilkie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 117

12/09/2007, 08:31 PM	#4
Matt Wilkie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 117

12/09/2007, 08:38 PM	#5
Matt Wilkie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 117	Ive added the tang and angel after the pics there not hiding, Ive heard about the flame angel and how it likes to nip. I hope he behaves I guess its hit or miss. I know the tang will get big but he might just grow to the tank I think I will keep him till I get a larger tank.

12/10/2007, 08:15 AM	#8
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	If you're going to get a mandarin I would suggest getting a fuge. You can get or make hang on back ones that may work well for you. If you are really looking to getting a mandarin get the fuge set up at least 2 months before you are going to add him. Also, I would stay away from the lined wrasses and any other fish (like a scooter blenny) that will eat pods like the mandarin.

12/10/2007, 08:54 AM	#9
billhig1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 115	I would have to agree about the tang. I bought a blue tang 3 months ago while it was 2 inches, not it is about 4 inches long. I am wondering in if my tank is to small for him?