180 Gallon stocking ideas

[apuhl20]

So I am starting to look into what will be in the new 180. It will be a mixed reef with tons of corals and barebottom. I will be transferring most of my 125 to it. So far the fish from the 125 that will be making the transition are:

Sailfin Tang
Powder Brown Tang
Yellow Eye Tang
Algae Blenny
Engineer Goby
2 yellow clown gobies
5 blue/green chromis
mandarin
2 black clowns

I am up in the air about my 2 regular oscellaris.

Other things that I would like and am thinking about

2 yellow tangs (generic but I think I want the big spots of yellow)
5-7 anthias of some sort (open to suggestions)
1 Wrasse (some sort, probably just a sixline since I will be barebottom)
3 banggai cardinals
7 stop light cardinals
2 black clown gobies

I would love to have an achilles tang but don't think it will be an option.

I am open to just about anything reef safe with great color. Let me hear some thoughts and suggestions!!

 

[computeaholic]

I don't have a lot of experience with engineer goby's. They are a really cool fish but I had personally opted against them because of their aggression when they get larger. I had some what of a experienced reef keeper sway me against them because he would take out some of the smaller fish. Something to look into as I can not vouch for that info.

I love my Yellow tangs. I have always kept one around. This last build though I opted instead of a school of yellow tangs to go with a yellow and a regal. They have gotten along great so far. I really enjoy watching them school. I like to keep the reef diverse as possible. You are going to have great schools with that setup. The achilles would take the tank to a whole other level.

I am curious why you are going bare bottom though. I have only keep reefs with sand mainly for inverts, calcium, waste removal, and looks among other things. Is there some big advantage that I am missing having never setup a bare bottom?

 

[Northstar24]

I think if stocked correctly the Achilles would be an option. If you weren't doing bare bottom, I would suggest a Melanurus Wrasse, its become one of my favorites

 

[AlexS95]

The 3 Bangaii would become two eventually. I would look around for something other than Yellow Tangs because they're just sooo... common? JMO

 

[apuhl20]

That was my thought about yellow tangs, but there is no other way to get big chunks of moving yellow.

 

[AlexS95]

What about a Foxface?

 

[apuhl20]

How are the foxfaces in a reef? most of them are always add with caution. I'm not risking anything when it comes to stocking, not even keeping my flame angel.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I was also thinking about the yellow tangs, 5 tangs may be a bit much for a 180, especially since you already have a zebrasoma. I wouldn't do a six line wrasse either, sooner or later they will become a nusiance. I know some people have had issues with rabbitfish in reefs but I have kept multiple species with outstanding luck regarding reef safety and really like them. My fiji foxface is one of my favorite fish.

 

[jonathansruelas]

be careful with foxfaces in reefs, some are know to pick at them, just make sure you keep him well fed

 

[curlykid]

i would get some wrasses.

 

[apuhl20]

that is why I am staying away from the foxfish. you never know if one is going to start nipping. Why are you saying no to the sixline? I would like to have a wrasse to pick at the bugs, but with the barebottom it is touchy.

 

[apuhl20]

anyone else want to throw in their 2 cents??

 

[Reefing Newbie]

The bangaii cardinals would become two when a pair forms as others have mentioned. You could do an achilles tang if you opted out of one yellow tang(second list). You could scratch both yellow tangs and have the sailfin, achilles, and a bristle tooth tang or I would do a convict, orangeshoulder, or tennenti(lieutenant) tang(choose one of the last three to add with sailfin and achilles). For the antias, I would do Resplendents. They are small and don't change sex as often as other species. You could get yellow from a wrasse. I specifically say the yellow coris wrasse, people have suggested I add one to my tank. I have opted against as I decided on other fish. Just my 2cents

 

[DJ in WV]

I have a magnificent foxface well behaved and is like the dog of the tank always glad to see ya

A pair of candy bassets would be nice