Bioload

Mules1 · 10/23/2012, 04:29 PM

Currently, in my 65 gallon, I have a pair of O. Clowns, a YWG, royal gramma and a tailspot blenny. No fuge, no sump, reef octo HOB skimmer.

My question is: can I add a flasher wrasse (want mccoskers but hard to find here - wrasse is happening for sure) and a pair of cardinals (I know a little boring on cardinals, open to suggestions but want a pair of something that is usaually visible - would like a little more active).

thegrun · 10/23/2012, 04:35 PM

If the tank is a fish only tank I don't see it as a problem, but it would be fairly heavily stocked for a reef tank if your corals are anything but very easy to care for types (forgiving of less than pristine water conditions).

Mules1 · 10/23/2012, 04:36 PM

I do have an assortment of corals....... So I guess out with the cardinals????

thegrun · 10/23/2012, 04:45 PM

I keep 6 similar sized fish in my SPS dominated mixed reef 50 cube but it also has a sump/refugium which is a big help with nitrates and phosphates. You could get away with adding all the fish but you would need to stay on top of your water changes and maintenance.

Mules1 · 10/23/2012, 05:02 PM

I am religious on maintenance and water changes - and I guess a little more poo for the corals....?

thegrun · 10/23/2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mules1

I am religious on maintenance and water changes - and I guess a little more poo for the corals....?

Sure! I'm always a little cautious in advising the stocking of a tank not knowing the maintenance regiment of the person I am advising. With solid maintenance you will be fine with all 7 fish. Here is my 50 with 6 fish (2-Black and white clowns, 3 wrasse and a flame angle:

Mules1 · 10/23/2012, 05:14 PM

Would love a flame angel - but paranoid of corals (so I won't go that route).

Great tank - awesome!

Mules1 · 10/23/2012, 05:16 PM

Any recommendations for replacements for the cardinals?

chrisfont23 · 10/23/2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mules1

Any recommendations for replacements for the cardinals?

Firefish.

thegrun · 10/23/2012, 09:04 PM

If you do go with a firefish I would strongly recommend a Helfrich Firefish. Regular Red or Purple Firefish spend a lot of time hiding in the rockwork. I like the choice of Cardinal Fish. True they don't move around much, but if you add the wrasse along with your clown fish, there is going to be plenty of movement in the tank already. I would recommend a Flame Angel if you could find a reef safe one. I wanted one for years but was always afraid of it going after my corals. I had a 15 gallon QT set up that had morphed into a mini-reef tank, so I started mine in that tank. After it's 8 weeks of quarantine it hadn't nipped at any corals at all, so I gave it a chance in my DT. I've had it in there for about 18 months now without any issues (as far as corals go). It did start to get a little aggressive after about 6 months towards my other fish, but once I added the pair of Black and White Clowns, they took over the tank and the angel calmed down.

10/23/2012, 04:29 PM	#1
Mules1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 381	Bioload Currently, in my 65 gallon, I have a pair of O. Clowns, a YWG, royal gramma and a tailspot blenny. No fuge, no sump, reef octo HOB skimmer. My question is: can I add a flasher wrasse (want mccoskers but hard to find here - wrasse is happening for sure) and a pair of cardinals (I know a little boring on cardinals, open to suggestions but want a pair of something that is usaually visible - would like a little more active).

10/23/2012, 04:35 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If the tank is a fish only tank I don't see it as a problem, but it would be fairly heavily stocked for a reef tank if your corals are anything but very easy to care for types (forgiving of less than pristine water conditions).

10/23/2012, 04:36 PM	#3
Mules1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 381	I do have an assortment of corals....... So I guess out with the cardinals????

10/23/2012, 04:45 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I keep 6 similar sized fish in my SPS dominated mixed reef 50 cube but it also has a sump/refugium which is a big help with nitrates and phosphates. You could get away with adding all the fish but you would need to stay on top of your water changes and maintenance.

10/23/2012, 05:02 PM	#5
Mules1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 381	I am religious on maintenance and water changes - and I guess a little more poo for the corals....?

10/23/2012, 05:14 PM	#7
Mules1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 381	Would love a flame angel - but paranoid of corals (so I won't go that route). Great tank - awesome!

10/23/2012, 05:16 PM	#8
Mules1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 381	Any recommendations for replacements for the cardinals?

10/23/2012, 09:04 PM	#10
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If you do go with a firefish I would strongly recommend a Helfrich Firefish. Regular Red or Purple Firefish spend a lot of time hiding in the rockwork. I like the choice of Cardinal Fish. True they don't move around much, but if you add the wrasse along with your clown fish, there is going to be plenty of movement in the tank already. I would recommend a Flame Angel if you could find a reef safe one. I wanted one for years but was always afraid of it going after my corals. I had a 15 gallon QT set up that had morphed into a mini-reef tank, so I started mine in that tank. After it's 8 weeks of quarantine it hadn't nipped at any corals at all, so I gave it a chance in my DT. I've had it in there for about 18 months now without any issues (as far as corals go). It did start to get a little aggressive after about 6 months towards my other fish, but once I added the pair of Black and White Clowns, they took over the tank and the angel calmed down.