Advise on Stocking My 46 Bowfront

[All__talk]

Hello friends of fish, I’m hoping to benefit from your experience in stocking my tank.

Setup:
I recently bought an established (2 year) 46G bowfront, I have had it about 10 weeks now and things seem to be balanced and stable. The setup includes a 20G sump/fuge with Mag7 return, 2 Koralias, Aqua Medic Skimmer and PC lighting (lighting upgrade planed). At this point I don’t have much going on as far as corals but the plan is to build it up into a mixed reef tank.

Current fish are:
(1) Orange Spot Goby
(1) Ocellaris Clown
(1) 3 Stripe Damsel
(1) Blue Damsel

The Damsels will be moving out as soon as I find them a good home, the Goby and Clown will stay… now to the wishful stocking list.

Coral Beauty, Potters or Flame Angel – the Beauty is leading the choice at this point.

Marine Beta – I know they can be a problem with small fish and CUC but I just love this fish. I had one in my reef(ish) tank back in college 15 years ago and it was my fav. I am also a fan of using brittle stars in the CUC so that will cover some of the critters it would eat.

Royal Gramma Basslet and or some flavor of Pseudochromus (Fridmani or bi color or ?)

And maybe some type of colorful wrasse, Red Velvet, Yellowfin Flasher or similar)

And maybe… a Red Mandarin Dragonet. I will not add one unless I am confident that I have pod production to keep up with it and that may be difficult in a system this size. Currently my tank is teaming with amphipods but I don’t have a handle on the copepods level.


All input is appreciated.
Gary

 

[reppo13]

I have a 46 bow reef as well (1 1/2 years). I would not go with the beauty as they can be sketchy in a reef. They may pick sps/clams or not. I would go with a potters or a flame angel. As for the mandarin your only chance at sustaining a pod supply is with a refugium which you have which is good. I was hoping to do this as well but I'm fifteen and I have no money. This is my stocking list.

Potters Angel
Flame Angel
Pair of false clowns
Mccoskerii flasher wrasse
2 yellow tail damsels (i'm also getting rid of)

 

[Sheol]

Actually, I'd keep the yellowtails, if I were you. Get rid of that Humbug Damsel though. That will become a monster.
As for Dwarf angels: A Cherub ( C. argi) is safer than the other suggestions, but they are damsels in drag! LOL I'd try a White-tail ( Pacific Pygmy). I might myself, though I'm leaning toward Flame angel in my restocking.
Forget a Mandarin for now, maybe if your tank has a refugium & ages several months, you could try. Don't forget the insane number of gobies/small wrasses/blennies when stocking either..

Matthew

 

[joel sandoman]

a juvenile yellow tang.

 

[Natermotor]

^No, just no^

 

[reppo13]

Joel sandoman I really hope you don't have a tang in your 20g. The thought of that even happening is a joke. You need to do some more reading and research before you throw out a comment like that. I'm sorry but Natermotor is completely right.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

+1 on the potters although there is always a risk with any pygmy angel.

 

[snorvich]

a juvenile yellow tang.

Absolutely not! Read more before offering this type of suggestion please.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Was just going to throw in another suggestion with a Brazilian Flameback Angel. Very nice looking fish IMO.

 

[All__talk]

Thanks to all with the good advice.

Update:
I stopped by the LFS after work on Friday and came home with a couple of additions to the tank. A very nice Coral Beauty and Long Tentacle Plate Coral. I was a little worried about the 3-stripe getting aggressive with the CB but right out of the bag the CB was taking no guff. The CB was picking at the rocks a little on Saturday but still hiding, but its out and about and eating frozen Mysis this morning. The Plate Coral seems to be doing well too. Here are a few pictures from this morning.

Gary

 

[reppo13]

Good stuff and that is one of the most beautiful cb's ever.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Very nice CB. :thumbsup: