New with questions!

wnehez · 04/12/2011, 11:42 AM

Hey, obviously, i'm new here. I have a 75ga FOWLR at the moment that is in the cycle stage at the moment. I have about 5-6 live rocks and some live sand in there. I had the water tested for everything the other day and everything was perfect. I read to start the cycle process, its better to add a couple damsels in there to kick start it. So, I added 5 assorted damsels. My question is what fish would be good together. I know I definately want an anenome and clown fish(my gf's daughter has to have a "nemo" fish) and I definately want a Blue Hippo Tang and Yellow tang and a couple different butterfly fish. I want a very colorful tank. I am slowly building up the rock structures in the tank because I want lots of hiding spaces for anything I put in there. What are some good, colorful and interesting fish that would go well with the ones I know I want? I wouldnt mind some predatory fish either. I was looking at a snowflake eel. Also, what other inverts/plants/misc creatures would be a good choice?

seapug · 04/12/2011, 11:48 AM

Welcome. Sounds like you have some ambitious plans for your tank!

Before you go much further, please take some time to read these threads:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074
and
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007

It will answer many of your questions and help point you in a more reasonable direction for planning and stocking your tank.

octoman2707 · 04/12/2011, 11:52 AM

OKAY (pops fingers ) ,im going to list some stuff that helped me when I was like you (10 months ago)

check Liveaquaria.com cheap live rock easy to get a good amount

most damsels are aggressive and will attack each other and other fish (there are exceptions ) you might want to consider bringing them back to LFS

For begineers trying to balance peaceful fish with predatory fish is a bad idea , its best to stick with some peaceful fish

look into some foundation for you live rock If you dont you could have a fataly bad live rock slide
sry for the brisk explanations , and welcome to saltwater aquariums , your wallet will begin to feel lighter already

Red_Blenny · 04/12/2011, 12:09 PM

Welcome! Hope you enjoy this hobby as it will bring you both joys and stress.

If you want rocks but don't want to pay a lot of $$$ for it, I recommend dry rocks. Since you have live rocks in your tank already, they'll eventually become as alive as your current rocks.

As for the damsels, they're pretty aggressive and adding 5 into your tank (75gal is too small for five of them) can create aggressive issue between each other. I fear that you may lose a couple down the road..

Believe it or not clownfishes are pretty aggressive. When I started off I didn't believe it until I saw a tomato clown fish kill a 4" lawnmower blenny in a fish store... that and research. But for your tank, I think it's a good size.

As for Tangs, I have no clue about them. I'm not a Tang person, I'm more like a Wrasse/Anthia lover.

As for predatory fish, like snowflake eel, I believe that a 75gal is too small for them, let alone any predatory fish. Those are more like the 150+ gal section. I'll agree with ocotman2707, peaceful fishes are great since you are new to the hobby. I love them a lot since they bring lots of color to the tank

As for inverts/plants/misc, I recommend that you get a CUC (Clean up Crew) to eat the algae and poop that will be in your tank. I recommend that you get some snails to take care of your algae/poop problem like Narsarius (poop/left over food eater), Astrea/Cerith/Trochus snails for your algae (try to get varieties of snails since not all algae is the same).

A skunk cleaner shrimp adds color to the tank and they're fun to watch (and also they can pick up whatever food your fishes miss).

Plants, I don't recommend this since they can easily overtake your tank and it becomes a pain to take cut them down.

Overall, I say take your time, be patient, do lot's of research, and welcome!

wnehez · 04/12/2011, 12:29 PM

Thanks for the info. I know theres alot of info to research and lots to read, I just figured it would be more reliable going off of what people who have the experience with these would be better than google answers. So I'm going to stay away from the predatory fish for now, maybe later once its established. I have some kind of rock in with the live rock. I forget what the dealer that sold it to me said they were, started with an F i think... but he said it will eventually turn live with the live rocks in there and it was a lot cheaper per lb than live rock. I need to find big, base pieces to start building up. About the damsels, I do know that they are aggressive little fish but they said 5 would be good to get it started and they offer a 100% store credit so I can bring them back once the tank is done cycling. So I will be returning them after the cycle process is over. What are some good, colorful, peaceful fish that would make a good community? Like I said, I def. want like two tangs and the clown fish. Is there a certain type of clown fish that is better community wise than others? I heard you can't put two true ones in the same tank unless theres enough room for them to think they have their own territory.

MCCOOL · 04/12/2011, 12:55 PM

Skunk clowns and percula/ocellaris clowns are among the more peaceful (can still be aggressive)

Your tank is way too small for a blue tang, and borderline for a yellow. (I wouldn't do it, personally)

Here is a good thread on tank sizes for tangs

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1946079

Removing the damsels is a great idea

lacosta28 · 04/12/2011, 01:38 PM

75 is way too small for a blue or yellow tang, much less putting both in there. If you decide to do it anyway they probably wont live very long. There are other colorful fish you can put in a 75 that you would be happy with and the fish will be happy.

octoman2707 · 04/12/2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnehez

I have some kind of rock in with the live rock. I forget what the dealer that sold it to me said they were, started with an F i think... but he said it will eventually turn live with the live rocks in there and it was a lot cheaper per lb than live rock. I need to find big, base pieces to start building up. About the damsels, I do know that they are aggressive little fish but they said 5 would be good to get it started and they offer a 100% store credit so I can bring them back once the tank is done cycling. So I will be returning them after the cycle process is over. What are some good, colorful, peaceful fish that would make a good community?

I learned this the hard way LFS aren't always trustable to stop you from buying something back, but the store credit thing makes me think they are a pretty respectable shop.

maybe FIJI rock is that what you got?

some good small community fish to look at are the Blennies and Gobies , most are peaceful,
or some chromis they are nice looking schooling fish

And Reefbulksupply has some foundation rock , or just go with liveaquaria they sell foundation rock.

wnehez · 04/12/2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacosta28

75 is way too small for a blue or yellow tang, much less putting both in there. If you decide to do it anyway they probably wont live very long. There are other colorful fish you can put in a 75 that you would be happy with and the fish will be happy.

Just curious, if my tank is too small for tangs, how come the tangs at the stores live in smaller aquariums than mine? They look like 30 gallons, maybe smaller. Is that only because they usually sell them quick or what?

lacosta28 · 04/12/2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnehez

Just curious, if my tank is too small for tangs, how come the tangs at the stores live in smaller aquariums than mine? They look like 30 gallons, maybe smaller. Is that only because they usually sell them quick or what?

That's correct. It isn't their permanent home so it's okay to have them in there for a few weeks. When they are brought home to a tank they will be in there for years and grow. Once they get too big they will become stressed out if there isn't enough room for them. Tangs especially are wild caught. They are use to the vast open spaces of the ocean.

Bnortz · 04/12/2011, 02:07 PM

I know blue tangs are really cool (i love them too) but they get way too big. On live aquaria it says their minimum tank size is 180 gallons, and tangs can be aggressive if with docile fish and the yellow tang's minimum tank size is 100 gallons. I think a snowflake moray would be fine for your tank but are a bit aggresive

wnehez · 04/12/2011, 02:08 PM

AAhhhh ok... I was just wondering cuz I do see them in the smaller tanks.. thanks for the heads up tho.. im not looking to torture any fish... jus really like how they look... are there like captive bred ones or a different species of them that would do alright in a 75??

Bnortz · 04/12/2011, 02:09 PM

some butterfly fish are hard to care for for the begginer

MCCOOL · 04/12/2011, 02:14 PM

One of the smaller "bristletooth" tangs would be a better choice, I like the yellow eye kole tangs personally.

MCCOOL · 04/12/2011, 02:19 PM

You may also want to consider a dwarf angel as a colorful alternative.

lacosta28 · 04/12/2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnehez

AAhhhh ok... I was just wondering cuz I do see them in the smaller tanks.. thanks for the heads up tho.. im not looking to torture any fish... jus really like how they look... are there like captive bred ones or a different species of them that would do alright in a 75??

As someone mentioned one of these would go good in your tank. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...334&pcatid=334
or
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...94&pcatid=2994
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...28&pcatid=2628
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...345&pcatid=345

These are all the tangs I found on that site that you can put in a 75. I like them and I am thinking of getting one of these for my 120 I am building.

wnehez · 04/13/2011, 11:34 AM

So I figured out the name of the stone that was cheaper than live rock and they told me would eventually turn live. It is called feller stone. Its about 2.99 a lb. Is this stuff safe to put in my tank without killing the fish or bringing diseases in? What should I do to the rock to make it safe? I just bought some big ones today to start builing the base up.

04/12/2011, 11:42 AM	#1
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	New with questions! Hey, obviously, i'm new here. I have a 75ga FOWLR at the moment that is in the cycle stage at the moment. I have about 5-6 live rocks and some live sand in there. I had the water tested for everything the other day and everything was perfect. I read to start the cycle process, its better to add a couple damsels in there to kick start it. So, I added 5 assorted damsels. My question is what fish would be good together. I know I definately want an anenome and clown fish(my gf's daughter has to have a "nemo" fish) and I definately want a Blue Hippo Tang and Yellow tang and a couple different butterfly fish. I want a very colorful tank. I am slowly building up the rock structures in the tank because I want lots of hiding spaces for anything I put in there. What are some good, colorful and interesting fish that would go well with the ones I know I want? I wouldnt mind some predatory fish either. I was looking at a snowflake eel. Also, what other inverts/plants/misc creatures would be a good choice?

04/12/2011, 11:48 AM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Welcome. Sounds like you have some ambitious plans for your tank! Before you go much further, please take some time to read these threads: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074 and http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007 It will answer many of your questions and help point you in a more reasonable direction for planning and stocking your tank. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

04/12/2011, 11:52 AM	#3
octoman2707 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Near Ft worth Texas Posts: 141	OKAY (pops fingers ) ,im going to list some stuff that helped me when I was like you (10 months ago) check Liveaquaria.com cheap live rock easy to get a good amount most damsels are aggressive and will attack each other and other fish (there are exceptions ) you might want to consider bringing them back to LFS For begineers trying to balance peaceful fish with predatory fish is a bad idea , its best to stick with some peaceful fish look into some foundation for you live rock If you dont you could have a fataly bad live rock slide sry for the brisk explanations , and welcome to saltwater aquariums , your wallet will begin to feel lighter already __________________ Was going for Octopus before I fell in love with a community tank Current Tank Info: 55 g +25g fuge Last edited by octoman2707; 04/12/2011 at 11:58 AM.

04/12/2011, 12:55 PM	#6
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	Skunk clowns and percula/ocellaris clowns are among the more peaceful (can still be aggressive) Your tank is way too small for a blue tang, and borderline for a yellow. (I wouldn't do it, personally) Here is a good thread on tank sizes for tangs http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1946079 Removing the damsels is a great idea __________________ 58g reef

04/12/2011, 02:14 PM	#14
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	One of the smaller "bristletooth" tangs would be a better choice, I like the yellow eye kole tangs personally. __________________ 58g reef

04/12/2011, 12:09 PM	#4
Red_Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 345	Welcome! Hope you enjoy this hobby as it will bring you both joys and stress. If you want rocks but don't want to pay a lot of $$$ for it, I recommend dry rocks. Since you have live rocks in your tank already, they'll eventually become as alive as your current rocks. As for the damsels, they're pretty aggressive and adding 5 into your tank (75gal is too small for five of them) can create aggressive issue between each other. I fear that you may lose a couple down the road.. Believe it or not clownfishes are pretty aggressive. When I started off I didn't believe it until I saw a tomato clown fish kill a 4" lawnmower blenny in a fish store... that and research. But for your tank, I think it's a good size. As for Tangs, I have no clue about them. I'm not a Tang person, I'm more like a Wrasse/Anthia lover. As for predatory fish, like snowflake eel, I believe that a 75gal is too small for them, let alone any predatory fish. Those are more like the 150+ gal section. I'll agree with ocotman2707, peaceful fishes are great since you are new to the hobby. I love them a lot since they bring lots of color to the tank As for inverts/plants/misc, I recommend that you get a CUC (Clean up Crew) to eat the algae and poop that will be in your tank. I recommend that you get some snails to take care of your algae/poop problem like Narsarius (poop/left over food eater), Astrea/Cerith/Trochus snails for your algae (try to get varieties of snails since not all algae is the same). A skunk cleaner shrimp adds color to the tank and they're fun to watch (and also they can pick up whatever food your fishes miss). Plants, I don't recommend this since they can easily overtake your tank and it becomes a pain to take cut them down. Overall, I say take your time, be patient, do lot's of research, and welcome!

04/12/2011, 12:29 PM	#5
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	Thanks for the info. I know theres alot of info to research and lots to read, I just figured it would be more reliable going off of what people who have the experience with these would be better than google answers. So I'm going to stay away from the predatory fish for now, maybe later once its established. I have some kind of rock in with the live rock. I forget what the dealer that sold it to me said they were, started with an F i think... but he said it will eventually turn live with the live rocks in there and it was a lot cheaper per lb than live rock. I need to find big, base pieces to start building up. About the damsels, I do know that they are aggressive little fish but they said 5 would be good to get it started and they offer a 100% store credit so I can bring them back once the tank is done cycling. So I will be returning them after the cycle process is over. What are some good, colorful, peaceful fish that would make a good community? Like I said, I def. want like two tangs and the clown fish. Is there a certain type of clown fish that is better community wise than others? I heard you can't put two true ones in the same tank unless theres enough room for them to think they have their own territory.

04/12/2011, 01:38 PM	#7
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	75 is way too small for a blue or yellow tang, much less putting both in there. If you decide to do it anyway they probably wont live very long. There are other colorful fish you can put in a 75 that you would be happy with and the fish will be happy.

04/12/2011, 02:07 PM	#11
Bnortz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Village, Ohio Posts: 825	I know blue tangs are really cool (i love them too) but they get way too big. On live aquaria it says their minimum tank size is 180 gallons, and tangs can be aggressive if with docile fish and the yellow tang's minimum tank size is 100 gallons. I think a snowflake moray would be fine for your tank but are a bit aggresive

04/12/2011, 02:08 PM	#12
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	AAhhhh ok... I was just wondering cuz I do see them in the smaller tanks.. thanks for the heads up tho.. im not looking to torture any fish... jus really like how they look... are there like captive bred ones or a different species of them that would do alright in a 75??

04/12/2011, 02:09 PM	#13
Bnortz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Village, Ohio Posts: 825	some butterfly fish are hard to care for for the begginer

04/12/2011, 02:19 PM	#15
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	You may also want to consider a dwarf angel as a colorful alternative. __________________ 58g reef

04/13/2011, 11:34 AM	#17
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	So I figured out the name of the stone that was cheaper than live rock and they told me would eventually turn live. It is called feller stone. Its about 2.99 a lb. Is this stuff safe to put in my tank without killing the fish or bringing diseases in? What should I do to the rock to make it safe? I just bought some big ones today to start builing the base up.

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