520g Stocking Suggestions...

Rea17

Rea17

New member
Hey everyone. So we are getting pretty close to putting water in this thing, and I'm trying to refine my stocking list. I would really like if people shared actual experience, pictures, etc on this thread.

The tank is a peninsula and is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, 32 inches high. After subtracting overflow volume and going by inside dimensions, actually volume of the display is 520 gallons. I'm going with a Pukani aquascape, mostly huge pieces. It's still pretty open and leaves tons of swimming space, but also provides caves and shelter for different fish. I'm looking at making this tank a high flow mixed reef. Flow will be provided by mp60s, and a hammerhead return. I have a couple of BIG skimmers, not sure which one/s I'm going to run on it yet. I have a sump room built that is housing a 100g custom sump, and x2 150g rubbermaid stock tanks that I plan to use for refugium space. I really love tangs, angels, anthias, and wrasses in that order. Feel free to suggest other things too! I'm always open to try new things.

I currently have a 210 mixed reef, a 150 holding tank, and a couple of 90 gallon quarantines. My livestock is currently split between these tanks for holding purposes until I get the new tank up.

Stock List, what I have....
-Achilles Tang 7-8"
-Lieutenant Tang -7-8"
-Desjardini Sailfin - 8"
-Purple Tang x2 (looking to make it a trio)
-Yellow Tang x5
-Blonde Naso male 6"
-Fowleri Tang 7"
-Kole Tang 4"
-Bicolor Foxface 7"
-Female bipartitus wrasse 3.5"
-Cleaner Wrasse 3.5"
-Quoyi Parrot 6.5"
-Lyretail Anthias 1 male, 3 females
-Black Clowns x2
-Blue Chromis x2
-Juvenile Navarchus Angel 2"

Lots of fish, I know. What I have, stays. Please help me narrow down the list of possible additions (if the new tank isn't stocked as it is:eek1:). I'm looking at a heavier stocking (obviously), and I'll note my reservations/concerns in this next list. I consider myself to be very experienced in the fish side of things, so don't be shy about hard to keep species.

What I am considering....
-Sohal Tang (don't want to disrupt my tang community, always wanted one though)
-Orange Shoulder Tang
-Chevron Tang
-Tomini Tang
-Powder Blue Tang (Achilles won't like it, and another aggressive addition I will worry about causing problems)
-Fathead Sunburst Anthias (Pair)
-Red Sea Regal Angel
-Squareback Anthias (single male? pair? group?)
-Black Tang/black hybrid/abberant scopas (if I can find one...)
-Butterfly (of sorts... group? pair? considering yellow pyramid, yellow longnose. I think the tank is going to be too active for a copperband)
-Centropyge pair (open to suggestions on species)
-Radiant wrasse

That sounds like a lot of fish when you write it out like that.... lol. I really appreciate any input that you guys have. I respect your opinions and like I said before, I love to hear experiences and see pictures!! :)
 
I'd ditch the Sohal if yu're worried about the aggression. For the Squarebacks I'd get a trio (m/f/f). How about an emperor or Asfur angel?
 
Monkeyfish said:
I'd ditch the Sohal if yu're worried about the aggression. For the Squarebacks I'd get a trio (m/f/f). How about an emperor or Asfur angel?
Click to expand...

Thanks. I really go back and forth on the Sohal.

As far as the angels go, I love them both. I've been drooling over the Asfur that's in DD right now, but I worry a little about my reef at that point. I'm also thinking I stand the best chance starting will juveniles, so I'll note that one down as a possibility.

I should have also mentioned that I'm looking at dispar anthias. It seems that people can keep them in larger groups? I honestly don't know much about anthias compatibility between species and how important introduction order is. I'll do more research on them.
 
There's a black tang for sale near me the size of a dime, the tail and all. The white scalpel is so small you can barely see it. I would go black tang for an addition. I love mine.
 
Rea17 said:
I've been drooling over the Asfur that's in DD right now, but I worry a little about my reef at that point.
Click to expand...

I would have thought the Narvachus would be more problematic. I have kept an Asfur in a reef tank twice now, and both were generally reef safe - if you don't care about Zooanthids, that is! Side benefit is they are terrific at eating pest anemones.
 
I'd say with all the tangs you are adding a bunch of smaller fish may be nice; a group of Bartlett's, some gobies, maybe a pair of hawkfish, a pair of firefish, a pair of clowns, and a pair of mandarins.
 
Rea17 said:
Thanks. I really go back and forth on the Sohal.

.
Click to expand...

Like I said on my thread. I've seen Powder Blue Tangs more aggressive than Sohals. Shoot right now my small adult Atlantic Blue tang in my 240 is real aggressive. He's a little punk,and has been chasing my Blueline Angel around. My large Fowleri Tang doesn't even mess with him..
 
The list looks great. Nice tank size. Remember that large tangs will oftentimes eat coral, in addition to getting aggressive, if not appropriately fed... and by appropriate, I mean enough food to grow. This is a lot of food. While large tangs are mostly reef safe, they are not all that reef friendly when large and eating a couple sheets of mysis a week.

When I had my large FOWLR setup, I had donated purples (2), sailfin, yellow, black (nice donation) and hippo all donated that all of a sudden devastated LSP, zoas and clams.

This is totally manageable, but I might suggest that you consider food and bio load into your plans.
 
jda said:
The list looks great. Nice tank size. Remember that large tangs will oftentimes eat coral, in addition to getting aggressive, if not appropriately fed... and by appropriate, I mean enough food to grow. This is a lot of food. While large tangs are mostly reef safe, they are not all that reef friendly when large and eating a couple sheets of mysis a week.

When I had my large FOWLR setup, I had donated purples (2), sailfin, yellow, black (nice donation) and hippo all donated that all of a sudden devastated LSP, zoas and clams.

This is totally manageable, but I might suggest that you consider food and bio load into your plans.
Click to expand...


Thanks for your concern. I am well aware of the feeding requirements of all of my listed species. I love my tangs, and I feed them several times per day with a variety of foods, including a ton of nori. I have never witnessed a tang attacking coral, and I really think a well fed specimen wouldn't. I feed very heavily as it is and I will continue to with more fish and a bigger tank.

As far as the black tang goes... I will take one as a donation :P they are amazing fish but I'm going to have to find one at a reduced price or wait a long time for one. Same goes with the bandit :/

Back to the Sohal discussion... Sure, I could buy a baby. It will take years but he will grow and (I'm sure) eventually dominate the tank. I worry about the welfare of his tank mates at that point, and I would rather not get a fish knowing I will have to give him up at some point. I buy fish as pets and get very attached to them, I have every intention of keeping my fish for the duration of their lives. I'm not trying to talk myself out of it, just voicing my concern. If I should save the space/$ for a black tang I am happy and willing to do that.

Any input on the dispar anthias group idea? I see a suggestion for Bartletts.
 
Thanks Beach, I will look into those.

I really love euphyllia corals, so as long as my angels leave those alone I'm happy. In the past I've had good luck with them. When I decided to make the jump to angels a year ago I went ahead and sold off my brains, zoas, and acans. I should be *ok* on coral.

I may have located a XL Asfur locally that is semi reef safe :) love the shape and color on them, simply stunning. I had a Maculosus in the past and loved him, so I feel a little nostalgic about the Asfur.
 
Well it looks like I get to add that Asfur to my stock list. I won't get him until his tank gets torn down in a month or so, will post pictures when I do! His current owner says he eats zoas and nips at clams, but is fine with LPS, small inverts, and isn't testy with smaller fish.

I've pretty much scratched the Sohal Tang off the list at this point. I think I'm going to try to secure my Red Sea Regal before getting the Asfur, that way they can be introduced at the same time.
 
Pictures as promised... Asfur getting settled into his quarantine. I got a really nice multicolor from this tear down as well - he's very shy and I haven't been able to get a picture yet.

[



Both fish took the move pretty well and are eating great. Looking forward to getting them into the big tank.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
75 gallon set up and stocking advice
Replies
8
Views
2K
Newham94
N
K
Compatibility
Replies
3
Views
1K
wvned
wvned
LJA
Fish addition order
Replies
2
Views
441
OrionN
OrionN
JeannineC
Fish suggestion
Replies
19
Views
2K
rwbroadnax
R
G
New here! Here’s my 150G tall glass cages mixed reef aquarium
Replies
10
Views
269
Uncle99
Uncle99
Back
Top