Stocking my 75

[HABS#1]

So this is currently what I have in my 75 and what I will be adding shortly.


Current occupants:

2X Bluegreen Chromis
1X Blue Tang
1X Chocolate tang
2X Occ Clowns
2X starfish
1X PJ Cardinal
1X Royal Garrama
1X Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
1X Peppermint Shrimp
1X Green Open Brain
1X Lavender Frilly Mushroom
2X Xenia
1X BTA
assorted snails and crabs

To be added soon
1X PJ Cardinal so our loner has a friend
1X Copperband Butterfly
2X Firefish
1X Frogspawn
1X Hammer Coral
1X Colt Coral

[MalHavoc]

IMHO, you're overstocked. Those tangs really shouldn't be in there.

[kmf507]

Should remove at least 1 tang.

[Heavy Hittah]

yes, i agree. You have overstocked. What kind of skimmer are you using?

[returnofsid]

A 75 isn't large enough for either of those Tangs by themselves, let alone both together. I'd re-home both tangs or upgrade to a much larger tank. After that, you should be okay with your additions, although I'd recommend against the Copper Band Butterfly. Again, they really do need a larger tank, they're hit and miss when it comes to finding specimens that will eat.

[sk8boarder]

blue tangs are ich magnets. hope you have a qt. im guessing that you want the occ. clowns to be hosted by the nem, just to tell you i have the same combination (2 occ. and an RBTA) and the clowns like my leather more and are currently being hosted by it. if you have not bought the nem and clowns yet buy them together and put them into a breeder box until they the nem hosts the clowns.

[HABS#1]

Originally posted by sk8boarder
blue tangs are ich magnets. hope you have a qt. im guessing that you want the occ. clowns to be hosted by the nem, just to tell you i have the same combination (2 occ. and an RBTA) and the clowns like my leather more and are currently being hosted by it. if you have not bought the nem and clowns yet buy them together and put them into a breeder box until they the nem hosts the clowns.

The clowns have been hosting in the BTA for months now. They were transplants from the 31 gal along with the Cromis and the shrimp and the cardinal.

The tangs were both rated for 70 gal min so I am leaving them for now if they get cramped I will relocate them and no I have no QT. I am using just a plain jane Excalibur skimmer and will be replacing that with a Remoa C simmer this weekend. I am also runnign a marineland C360 canister filter. I am holding out hope that somone in town gets their Copperbands soon and the Cardinals.

[Gold Stripe]

Thats a lot for a reef tank. You better have a kick butt skimmer, a ton of live rock and do regular water changes if you want those corals to thrive. Not saying it cant be done but welcome to your second full time job.

[Toddrtrex]

Originally posted by HABS#1
The clowns have been hosting in the BTA for months now. They were transplants from the 31 gal along with the Cromis and the shrimp and the cardinal.

The tangs were both rated for 70 gal min so I am leaving them for now if they get cramped I will relocate them and no I have no QT. I am using just a plain jane Excalibur skimmer and will be replacing that with a Remoa C simmer this weekend. I am also runnign a marineland C360 canister filter. I am holding out hope that somone in town gets their Copperbands soon and the Cardinals.

First off that 70 min is wrong, but lets pretend that it is right, that is a min for ONE, not two.

Your current tank is already overstocked. It seems like you are set on adding the copperband and the cardinals to your tank, if you do that I see nothing good from it at all. Everyone that has posted has suggest that adding more to your tank is a bad idea, really hope that you take that advise.

[Aquarist007]

Hi Hab's
Who has been giving you advice around our area about the tangs==let me guess B.A's.

You can get away with a yellow or tomini tang--only one of them in a 75gal if it is a long tank with a good stretch of swimming room.
The blue tang for eg grows very quickly and can grow to 13 inches.
What happens is as they grow in a small tank they can become agressive towards the others. For example my blue tang has grown to about 5 inches--lately I blamed the ragged tail fins of my pj cardinal on a damsel which I just have not been able to get out of the tank---last night I discovered it was the blue tang taking the shots at him.

Also as two tangs get bigger they need to eat more and more and constantly--in a small tank this becomes even more problematic with over feeding issues--hence posters above suggesting you should have an awesome skimmer

The skimmers you are suggesting are not ones with a super reputation---you would be better with a Euro or one of the others suggested in the filter and lighting forum.

Further skimming is not the rea issue here---rather of cramped conditions for the fish which can lead to stress and agressive behaviour--and poor health of the fish

I hate to put such a caution on your plans but regarding the copper banded butterfly fish. That is a very delicate fish to begin with, never mind putting it in a crowded tank to begin with. The timidness translates into not eating with a cbb. I just learned recently that for long term success with them you need to be feeding them black worms---I don't know if they are even available in our area.

Bottom line suggestion and that's all it is
trade the two tangs back and purchase a yellow or tomini tang and that's all for this tank, even with plans for a more effective skimmer

[HABS#1]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
Hi Hab's
Who has been giving you advice around our area about the tangs==let me guess B.A's.

You can get away with a yellow or tomini tang--only one of them in a 75gal if it is a long tank with a good stretch of swimming room.
The blue tang for eg grows very quickly and can grow to 13 inches.
What happens is as they grow in a small tank they can become agressive towards the others. For example my blue tang has grown to about 5 inches--lately I blamed the ragged tail fins of my pj cardinal on a damsel which I just have not been able to get out of the tank---last night I discovered it was the blue tang taking the shots at him.

Also as two tangs get bigger they need to eat more and more and constantly--in a small tank this becomes even more problematic with over feeding issues--hence posters above suggesting you should have an awesome skimmer

The skimmers you are suggesting are not ones with a super reputation---you would be better with a Euro or one of the others suggested in the filter and lighting forum.

Further skimming is not the rea issue here---rather of cramped conditions for the fish which can lead to stress and agressive behaviour--and poor health of the fish

I hate to put such a caution on your plans but regarding the copper banded butterfly fish. That is a very delicate fish to begin with, never mind putting it in a crowded tank to begin with. The timidness translates into not eating with a cbb. I just learned recently that for long term success with them you need to be feeding them black worms---I don't know if they are even available in our area.

Bottom line suggestion and that's all it is
trade the two tangs back and purchase a yellow or tomini tang and that's all for this tank, even with plans for a more effective skimmer

Hey Capn thanks for the input I will look further into the skimmer suggestion does MOPS sell them I haven't looked recently I know around here I can get Deltec and Tunze for way way more money than I care to spend on a skimmer. The 75 is in teh livingroom with new plans for a 135 in the basement. No sump or fuge on the new tank either and it will be a 4 foot tall tank not a long.

[jddaniel]

As others have mentioned, it would be to yours and the fishes benefit to trade the tangs back, especially the blue as they require very large tanks even for as small as they may seem now. A tomini, yellow, kole, or convict tang would make a much better tang for your tank. Also take everyone's advice regarding the copperband butterfly, they need a large system to really do well with fairly peaceful tank mates.
I would also consider a skimmer that is large enough to handle your system size such as a MSX 160-200, Octopus 150-200, or a mid sized used Euro-Reef (CS6-2 etc). You will be much happier in the long run to setup your system for long term success with equipment and livestock that will last for years to come.
Before you purchase anything do as much research as you can, you will find a lot of information on blue tangs and copperbands requiring a larger stable system for long term success(keeping in mind these fish should be around easily for 10+ years).

[HABS#1]

Originally posted by jddaniel
As others have mentioned, it would be to yours and the fishes benefit to trade the tangs back, especially the blue as they require very large tanks even for as small as they may seem now. A tomini, yellow, kole, or convict tang would make a much better tang for your tank. Also take everyone's advice regarding the copperband butterfly, they need a large system to really do well with fairly peaceful tank mates.
I would also consider a skimmer that is large enough to handle your system size such as a MSX 160-200, Octopus 150-200, or a mid sized used Euro-Reef (CS6-2 etc). You will be much happier in the long run to setup your system for long term success with equipment and livestock that will last for years to come.
Before you purchase anything do as much research as you can, you will find a lot of information on blue tangs and copperbands requiring a larger stable system for long term success(keeping in mind these fish should be around easily for 10+ years).

Thanks for the info as for the 10 years plus I highly doubt I will even be in the hobby that long. I understand that many fish folks take this as a serious hobby for me it is more a fun interest I have no real attachment to any of the critters I have not even our bearded dragon that is now 2 years old. For our family we get a pet or pets like these and have fun with them while they are here and when they all eventually die we take apart whatever home they were in and give the stuff away or sell it depending on how long we have had it. I guess pets are just that to our family pets something to look at and watch but nothign to get attached to.

As for the skimmer what is a decent price to pay for an octo or Euro reef? I am not willing to spend over 175 for a skimmer thus the Remora AquaC fit the bill for us.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by HABS#1
Hey Capn thanks for the input I will look further into the skimmer suggestion does MOPS sell them I haven't looked recently I know around here I can get Deltec and Tunze for way way more money than I care to spend on a skimmer. The 75 is in teh livingroom with new plans for a 135 in the basement. No sump or fuge on the new tank either and it will be a 4 foot tall tank not a long.

Mops would be a great place to call for advice and deal with.

If you have upgrade plans then I would put a halt to adding anything else to that tank

A 135 gal without a sump and fuge or being drilled with one or two internal overflows---can't understand why you would opt to go this way

BTW
my tank is too small for long term survival of my blue and sailfin tangs---so if you are going to a 135gal you might as well deal them if you can. Here are three threads that deal with this situation

my thread on sumps,fugs and macro algae
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1349443

an excellent tang thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?

show me your sump

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

[Pulp Fishin]

Hey HABS#1
look like you got plently of advice already I just stoped by to say hi!
See you at work!

Cheers!

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Pulp Fishin
Hey HABS#1
look like you got plently of advice already I just stoped by to say hi!
See you at work!

Cheers!

two bankers on the same thread

I am glad you used the word advice because that it all it is here--Habs is one of the good guys so we don't want him to end up with a tank crash

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by HABS#1
As for the skimmer what is a decent price to pay for an octo or Euro reef? I am not willing to spend over 175 for a skimmer thus the Remora AquaC fit the bill for us.

In that price range (which there is nothing at all wrong with) your best bet would be to try and find a used AquaC EV-180 or larger, or an ASM skimmer. There always seem to be a good amount of them for sale in the selling forums on here. The nice thing with ASM's is that you can usually find one that has already had upgrades or mods performed on them which boost their performance. As far as which exact ASM model would fit... I do not know.

The MSX's will run at least $300 for the 160 model... I think $350 for the 200 model

Euro-Reefs I believe are priced similiar.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Tswifty8
In that price range (which there is nothing at all wrong with) your best bet would be to try and find a used AquaC EV-180 or larger, or an ASM skimmer. There always seem to be a good amount of them for sale in the selling forums on here. The nice thing with ASM's is that you can usually find one that has already had upgrades or mods performed on them which boost their performance. As far as which exact ASM model would fit... I do not know.

The MSX's will run at least $300 for the 160 model... I think $350 for the 200 model

Euro-Reefs I believe are priced similiar.

haa--thats the one --the Aqua---Habs mops endorses that one too

however I still have to add that IMO protein skimming is not the issue here as much as the number of fish and type of fish in that size of tank. You can attach a 5 foot aqua or euro on there but it won't solve the problems of fish stress and poor health due to overcrowding.

[Pulp Fishin]

Sounds like you plan on having somthing similar to mine!
135 no holes but I keep a sump too keep the tones of equipment out of sight and would be great for keeping your phosban.

Also if you don't mind me answering your questions I know his wife and kids didn't like the noise that a mag drive made when they tryed a sump and I believe his wife made him go back to canister filter because of this.

My thoughts would be jsut findinga quiet pump. I'm not sure which brand is quiet but I though eheim was good for noise/watts.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Pulp Fishin
Sounds like you plan on having somthing similar to mine!
135 no holes but I keep a sump too keep the tones of equipment out of sight and would be great for keeping your phosban.

Also if you don't mind me answering your questions I know his wife and kids didn't like the noise that a mag drive made when they tryed a sump and I believe his wife made him go back to canister filter because of this.

My thoughts would be jsut findinga quiet pump. I'm not sure which brand is quiet but I though eheim was good for noise/watts.

talk to Tswifty about the eheim--he's running that and to my knowledge he has never reported it as being noisy.

again I have to ask--why would you not drill a tank that size if you had the opportunity to do so?

[HABS#1]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
two bankers on the same thread

I am glad you used the word advice because that it all it is here--Habs is one of the good guys so we don't want him to end up with a tank crash

LOL ya Capn 2 bankers even from the same bank and same basic department LOL. I agree I do not want a tank crash but there is no way my kids or wife for that fact would even consider removing any of the fish we have. They love the Nemo look to our tank and do not want to disturb that. The wife even wants a Moorish Idol in there to which I declined.

[Pulp Fishin]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
two bankers on the same thread

I am glad you used the word advice because that it all it is here--Habs is one of the good guys so we don't want him to end up with a tank crash

Yeah we work together and fire questions back and forth all day! Its great to work with Darren, he really is one of the good guys!
We split ona used tank for equipment and he gave me a wack of his DIY frozen food so I know.

Regardless if Darren has any problems I have a 135 thats is very under stocked! 135gallons with 2 clowns, 1 chromie and a host of snails and shrimp for cleaning! Should he need it I could house one of his tangs untill he gets the 135 off the ground!

Cheers!

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by HABS#1
LOL ya Capn 2 bankers even from the same bank and same basic department LOL. I agree I do not want a tank crash but there is no way my kids or wife for that fact would even consider removing any of the fish we have. They love the Nemo look to our tank and do not want to disturb that. The wife even wants a Moorish Idol in there to which I declined.

I hear you and good point on the Moorish Idol--they only eat sponges and a good amt of them--talk to PaulB about keeping them.
I had the same trouble with my wife and grandkids with the dory and nemo fish.
I intend to upgrade to a 250gal next so I can keep the tangs I want to.

Both you and pulpfishing should make an appointment to see each other for an aquarium upgrade loan

[HumanIMDB]

Originally posted by HABS#1
LOL ya Capn 2 bankers even from the same bank and same basic department LOL. I agree I do not want a tank crash but there is no way my kids or wife for that fact would even consider removing any of the fish we have. They love the Nemo look to our tank and do not want to disturb that. The wife even wants a Moorish Idol in there to which I declined.

Sounds like you have good justification for upgrading to a larger tank with a sump in the basement. "But honey, we NEED to upgrade if we want to keep all of those fish. Do you want to explain to the kids that Nemo died because we couldn't take care of him properly?"

[HABS#1]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
I hear you and good point on the Moorish Idol--they only eat sponges and a good amt of them--talk to PaulB about keeping them.
I had the same trouble with my wife and grandkids with the dory and nemo fish.
I intend to upgrade to a 250gal next so I can keep the tangs I want to.

Both you and pulpfishing should make an appointment to see each other for an aquarium upgrade loan

LOL no I do not need an upgrade loan I may be upgrading at Christmas time to a 135 tall so I can keep my existing lights etc but that is still under discussion with the finance department aka the wife LOL. If it does happen it will have to go in the basement where no one actually goes so I am not to sure if that is a good idea and may actually be a deal killer. My main floor where the 75 is will not accomodate the 135 because we have a large built in dvd rack behing the tank and a tall will cover it up and render it useless.