30 Gallon reef tank stocking ( Red Sea Max 130c)

[asred9]

Hi,

I just bought a Red Sea Max 130c for a complete bargain. Although the light system needs some attention rewiring to bypass circuit or a new timer other than that I got my tank for €180 (I am from Europe) that is $240 which an absolute bargain in my opinion. I may be making a tank build when I get all the stuff so I'll keep you posted. Other than that I need some suggestions on how to stock it. I had once a nano reef actually I think more like a micro reef 6 gallon cube which went an absolute disaster. I was only 12 years old and 6 years passed and ever since then I have been researching on how to keep marine fish and continuously read threads from all web pages and hopefully I am ready to have this tank thriving.

The fish I like most are the Dwarf Flame Angelfish (I know that it can nip on corals but I'll think I will take the risk), Clownfish pair, a Mandarin Fish (I am still thinking about this although I will be adding an additional 7 gallon refugium) and maybe some Bangaii cardinal fish or a school of chromis (3 -4)

Lets say in total of 8 - 9 fish. I know I am be pushing it but I am ready to make 25% water changes a week.

I need your Suggestions since I saw on You-Tube of the same tank which hosted 2 beautiful Tangs (I hope they were temporary).

Thanks and I hope I hear from you soon,
David a.k.a. Asred9

 

[Marshall O]

I think 8-9 fish is pushing it for that size tank honestly. Flame Angels should be in a larger tank (IMO), and I would not attempt a Mandarin until the tank is well established, if at all. No matter what, start slow to give yourself a chance.

 

[magranche]

+1
IMO I would not do more than 4 small fish in a tank that size. The clownfish pair would work great and would be fun to watch. A little blenny of some sort would be nice (provided you are not considering highly aggressive clowns). I have a small royal gramma and a pair of clowns in my 29 and they all do quite well You could also do some cool little inverts in there!

 

[CoralsAddiction]

2 clowns, 1 possum wrasse, 1 swalesi or swissguard Basslet, 1 yasha goby, 2 trimma gobies and 2 panda gobies.

 

[asred9]

Hi guys this is after researching some more on live aquaria. I found out that these fish will fit but need some attention some help from previous keepers is appreciated. And yes I know about the mandarin, if I had to get one I would order it that eats frozen food but god only knows when the LFS will be getting one.

Pair of Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Six Line Wrasse
1 Bangaii Cardinal
A pistol shrimp and goby pair
and a Longnose Hawkfish (I know that it may eat smaller fish or shrimp that is why I would consider adding it the last.

Other than that amount of fish come in total of 6 (excluding the inverts). So all suggestions are appreciated and taken into consideration

 

[asred9]

bump

 

[SoonerE39]

I agree with the comments above, I would limit your stock to no more than 4.
If it were me:
2 Ocellaris Clowns ( I kind of like the black ones)
1 bicolor blennie
and a Royal Gramma

 

[thenewguy997]

4 fish doesnt sound like a lot but its plenty of action

Honestly jist start with a pair of clowns and go from there

If it were me id have 5 fish, all super small, clowns the biggest, a fire shrimp, some snails, and youre topped out

I have a 75 and idek about 9 fish!

 

[thenewguy997]

Also ive read six line wrasses can be really mean so look into that esp. With that tank size

 

[thenewguy997]

Deleted