75 gal FOWLR

[slowECUdiver]

i've had my 75 gal up and running for nearly 2 months (1 of those i was gone for x-mas and just had 4 powerheads circulating water). 100# sand (3-4" deep & now live), 100# LR. 4 large turbo snails, 1 hermit crab (first observed molting happened this week!). remaining necessary parts for the sump came today (tidepool II, with SOS overflow box, mainly using it for added volume and to skim my surface, have the LS and LR for filtration). i will be adding a protein skimmer to the sump in 1-2 months as the bioload increases with the fish.

my fish list has been cut down to 5 which are as follows. at the recommendation of a trusted friend (who's been in the hobby nearly 10 years) they will be added in this order:

-Maroon Clown
-Fuzzy Dwarf lion
-Yellow Tang
-Racoon butterfly OR foxface
-Porcupine Puffer

any one have a combination of these fish with some insight they can share? will this addition order work or should something other than the clown be first? and finally, can i get away with adding 2 of them to start (provided they're the same size)? i ask the last question as i don't have a quarantine tank set up (but in the works) and will be purchasing all my fish from the same store.

thanks fellow RC members.

-eric

[techigirl78]

Puffers + Lionfish = Bad

Puffers are known fin nippers and lionfish are too tempting. I wouldn't suggest housing them both together. Also, the porcupine will outgrow a 75.

[slowECUdiver]

thanks for the input, techigirl. i will cut one of them from the list...despite having witnessed a porc and v. lion living in harmony before i won't take any chances. you think i can have the other fish, including the fox face, together in one tank??

-eric

[stevebydac]

I think that a pretty good mix, except for the pork. He will get too big too fast. You could keep a small one in here for 1-2 years, but realize that you will have to move him eventually. If it were me, I wouldn't tempt myself by putting a pork in here temporarily. Their personalities are fantastic and you would be pretty bummed on the day you had to give him up. You should put in another fish to replace it. Pick something that will be 5-7" as an adult in size (so the lion won't eat it) and not too aggressive.

If you do this, your only likely potential problem down the road *might* be the maroon clown. Some of them - not all - are really tough. Personally, I would add the maroon clown in last to this tank to minimize its potential territoriality.

Other than that, I think you are good to go! Good luck!

[slowECUdiver]

so the list has changed...

how would this group work out, added to the tank over the span of 2-3 months, in the following order:

1. fuzzy dwarf lion
2. butterfly fish
3. yellow tang
4. foxface
5. maroon clown

my largest concern is making sure everyone is appropriately sized and aggressive enough to defend themselves. i realize the maroon clowns have a tendency to be aggressive...but would any other clown be able to hold their own in such a tank as i'm hoping for???

thanks again for everyone's input.

-eric

[slowECUdiver]

lion is definitely first. foxface second. from there i will probably go with a butterfly (provided my lfs can get a healthy medium sized one) and the maroon clown last. that way i have lots of good coloration and a mix of active and semi-active (lion) fish.

thanks for all who replied with good advice. without RC i'd be lost.

-eric

[techigirl78]

Sounds good. If your worried about the clown, maybe a tomato. Adding the maroon last would definitely help. I'm looking at a similar setup in the near future.

[slowECUdiver]

levels check out on the hoe test kit. time to run to the LFS to see if they get the same readings (my kit came with the tank and i suspect is a little old). just got off the phone with another FS in garner, NC. they've got 1 fuzzy dwarf (not eating frozen--the owner tried yesterday and today without success--but is taking live foods) that he will hold for me until i get there on saturday. $25. am i getting a good deal?

ps. the store has a policy in place that states no fish will be sold unless the buyer sees it eat. also, if i can find the store's website again i'll post that too.

pss. the clown is something i will mull over...as his/her addition is a minimum of 2 months down the road.

[techigirl78]

Make sure it is small, aleart, and eating well. Drawfs are bad shippers. Try to see if the fish has been in the store awhile. If not, see if they have a hold policy.

[slowECUdiver]

Down Under Saltwater Fish and Corals in garner, nc is where my fuzzy lion will come from.

http://www.downundersaltwater.com/

i'd be sunk if it weren't for RC.

-eric

[slowECUdiver]

been in the store a week. eating live but not frozen yet. owner is very personal and up front. i'll see for myself on saturday, but he's being held just for me.