Creating a Self-Sufficient Reef Tank Fish List

[iced98lx]

Please Note Ahead of Time
I'm not asking how to keep a reef tank and be lazy, I'm also not asking how to have a tank and never do anything. I'm working towards a system that is almost entirely automated. I know there are pitfalls in this sort of endevor, but realize that I will be sitting in front of the tank 5 days a week, 8-10 hours a day, so while I'm looking for automated, I'm not looking for unattended.

So- I'm looking for fish that traditionally do well with pellet (Automated) feeding in a mixed reef settting- any suggestions?? Also obviously looking at fish that thrive on things naturally occurring in the tank.

The tank is in planning, so input on areas other than the fish/coral are really welcome in the build thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2164285

Tank Vitals:

• 180Gallon DT
• 55 Gallon Sump
• 55 Gallon Refuge

So far, "her" list includes:

• Spotted Goby
• Starfish (non brittle) of some sort

So far "his" list includes:

• Hammer Coral
• Medium To large Clam
• Bubble Nem
• Butterfly of some sort

What have you seen/have/want that would fall into this category?

 

[CliftonArbogast]

I have auto feeders on my tank just to feed while im at work, they dont like eating in the dark or missing meals if i get tied up. Also tested auto coral feeding and have that in the works. Basically mixes dry powder in suction area of return pumps for discharge to tank. Im a big proponent of automation since im lazy and love to DIY. I will feed treats when possible but its not more than once /twice a week these include algea sheet for tang, and meat for fish and nems. Current list of fish for me are PBT, yellow tang, Mandrin, engineer goby, pink spotted watchamn goby, purple fire fish, mystery wrasse, maroon clown, two snowflake percs, many starfish, including brittle and orange sea star, blue seastar) Other live stock - mushrooms, zoas, sps and LPS Rose BTA, condy nem, just got carpet nem various shrimp snails . BTW i have two 120 gal tanks so i dont have the tangs together or the perks with the Maroon. They all seem to be healty and fat and hoping the clowns will start spawning soon. Hope this helps but with a 180 you both need to expand your list and empty that wallet.:lol2:

 

[Donkeykong]

With that big of a display tank and fuge you will probably be able to get a mandarin with out regular feedings, you may have to occasionally seed the tank with pods. One thing to consider, I am totally for making the tank as easy to care for as possible, but it is important to watch your fish eat. This allows you to make sure everybody is eating thus letting you catch a sick or over harassed fish early. On your list you have a LPS and a Clam, both will like to suck up the calcium in your water, so make sure you have either Kalk or 2 part dosing in your plan.

 

[NatureNerd]

A BT Tang, maybe a Kole or Tomini, would be a nice addition. Mine can go easily for a week straight just picking at algae on the live rock. That said, it loves flakes, pellets, anything you throw into the tank.

Also consider an herbivore blenny like a tailspot or bicolor. Just make sure you add them before the tang. They will take care of film algae and be quite self sufficient in a mid to large tank.

 

[iced98lx]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! A mandarin would be a dream, but I want to make sure we plan well in advance and have a plentiful food source for it if that's something we really really want. I appreciate all the suggestions, we're going through and looking at each one, and deciding if it's something that interests us. Sometimes it's hard to even pick a fish tos tart with looking at!!

Donkeykong- I'll set up feeding times when I'm at my desk and can watch, since this tank will be right above my desk for work.

 

[iced98lx]

So adding a mandarin to the long term plan. The fuge is going to be purpose built to support it.

 

[iced98lx]

Make the "goby" on her want list a shrimp goby pair.