105 Gallon Reef tank Need ideas for starting!

[Nemoisajoke]

Hello all,:rollface:

I got my 105 gallon fish tank about 1 month ago. I've had the tank up and going for two weeks now and everything works great. In my old 20 gallon I have 1 clown fish and a bicolor (yellow and purple) dottyback. I have no coral that I plan to transfer. I have the great lightning that supports all coral. To describe the tank I have rock built up in the middle and then it branches off and creates lots of caves for fish to hide and explore in. My question is: For this tank can I get anymore clown fish or no? Because I already have one? What fish should I get to start the reef tank and what coral? Thanks for taking the time to read my question bye!

Have a good one thanks for answering.

 

[dppitone]

You might start with making a list of what kind of fish interest you and then see about compatibility, tank size etc. How big is the water system in total?

 

[Tochtli]

You can get another clown if it is the smallest in its group and smaller than your current fish. Before you add though, is everything already cycled? In two weeks?

 

[Crimson]

You can get another clown if it is the smallest in its group and smaller than your current fish. Before you add though, is everything already cycled? In two weeks?

Maybe he used NSW? Expensive but possible. I just bought a 105 myself should be in thurs. and doing a tank transfer from my 57 so I am looking at 50% ish water change.

Still, two week old tank imo is still pushing it. Sadly, living and learning in this hobby means something died.

 

[Nemoisajoke]

Reply

Reply

I was wondering what fish were hardy to start with and above I asked if I could get another clown..

 

[MikeandNicole]

I was wondering what fish were hardy to start with and above I asked if I could get another clown..

Yes, once your cycle is complete you should be able to get a second clown. Clowns (aqua cultured) tend to be very hardy fish. You will want to look for a juvenile clown to go with the clown you have. What species of clown is in your 20g?

Ideally, add the small new clown to the 105 once the cycle is complete, give it a day or two, and then introduce the clown you have now using an acclimation box. Some clowns are easier to pair than others; false percs are easier than for example maroon's. I have paired some clowns with minimal effort, just a few hours of acclimation in a divided space, others have taken months to get along.

What kind of equipment do you have on your new tank? If you want to have a reef down the line, it is usually a good idea to plan out what corals you are interested in, and what fish you are interested in, and then make decisions based on compatibility and necessary water parameters.

Once your tank is cycled, you can take a look at fish like wrasses, basslets, gobies, cardinals etc. Our 205g is full of small fish, many of them would be suitable for your tank once it is mature. We have flame wrasses, a sunburst anthia, assessor basslets (aqua cultured), firefish, a swiss guard basslet, high fin gobies, cleaner gobies (aqua cultured), barnacle blennies, cleaner gobies (aqua cultured), and a hybrid dwarf angel, and a pair of clowns (aqua cultured) among others. Any of those fish should do fine for you once your tank is cycled and has had a few months to get established.

Hope that helps.

 

[MikeandNicole]

Regarding coral, the first question is what kind of lighting did you get? LED? T-5?
What kind of fixture is it?
That will dictate what kinds of corals you will be able to keep, and where the different corals can go in your tank.
Also, the kind of skimmer you chose will make a big difference in what kind of corals will thrive in your system.

 

[SoloChromis]

Yellow, tomini, kole, convict, purple, and mimic tangs would all thrive in a 105 gallon longterm. You would want to choose only 1, possibly 2 tangs (depending on size), for a 105 gallon. Pyramid and yellow longnose butterflies are both hardy members of the butterfly family, and both almost completely reef safe the majority of the time. Just stay away from other dottybacks, basslets and firefish, as your bicolor would make short work of them. Lyretails, dispars and Bartlett's anthias all make good beginner anthias (as long as you feed frequently). Yellow tail, springeri, azure damsels all fairly peaceful and extremely hardy. All cardinals would be good, smaller, but sturdy wrasse like Scott's or mysteries would be good additions. Just keep in mind, you don't want to add anything very small and submissive (probably steer clear of shrimp too) as bicolor/royal dottybacks are EXTREMELY aggressive fish:mad2: . Good luck!