Lets stock my 180 gal mixed reef

[crazymnkeyman77]

Im upgrading from my 55 gal and 75 gal tanks to a 180 gallon...I didnt think even in a tank with 180 gallons could i get a lot of fish but it seems everyones 180's on YouTube are teeming with life, which opens many possibilities for me. I can handle the bio load with my overkill equipment i bought, but I need help getting fish ideas... these are just starting thoughts that im totally fine with completely rearranging.

5 chromis ( or any other fish that would look cool from schooling)
2 paired clowns (already owned)
1 blond naso tang
1 powder blue tang
1 yellow tang
1 salifin tang
1 diamond goby
1 fire shrimp
1 midas blenny
2 wrasses... but I dont know what wrasses go together
1 red and purple firefish
then maybe like a cleaner wrasse

let me know your opinions and suggestions, I appreciate every single comment.

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

After talking with others We have come up with another list....

4 red firefish
4 purple firefish
2 flamehawks
1 vlamingi tang
1 yellow tang
1 sailfin tang
1 naso tang
2 clowns
but I still need help deciding on two wrasses.

 

[Maritimer]

I'm given to understand that wrasses do better in groups of three or more, which helps to disperse aggression issues.

I've got three in my tank - a McKosker's and a yellowfin flasher wrasse (males who flash and display to one another), and a Lubbock's fairy wrasse, who flashes his own rather impressive color changes at both flashers and the firefish as well! (You've got a lot of firefish there - two pairs each, or are you hoping for a stable shoal of four?)

Are you planning corals or inverts?

~Bruce

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

I'm given to understand that wrasses do better in groups of three or more, which helps to disperse aggression issues.

I've got three in my tank - a McKosker's and a yellowfin flasher wrasse (males who flash and display to one another), and a Lubbock's fairy wrasse, who flashes his own rather impressive color changes at both flashers and the firefish as well! (You've got a lot of firefish there - two pairs each, or are you hoping for a stable shoal of four?)

Are you planning corals or inverts?

~Bruce

sure 3 wrasses would be fine for me... Ill just have to pick 3 out. Im planning on a mixed reef so yes corals will be in the tank.

 

[SaltyDoug]

Ive always been told 1 firefish per tank 8 seems like an issue

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can confirm or correct me

 

[Martini5788]

Naso and vlamingi tang need a larger tank. I agree that is too many firefish, I would probably choose one or the other and go back down to 2. And I would get some fairy flasher wrasse combo.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Naso and vlamingi tang need a larger tank. I agree that is too many firefish, I would probably choose one or the other and go back down to 2. And I would get some fairy flasher wrasse combo.

Completely agree with this. Vlamingi tangs can get over a foot in under two years and grow quick.

 

[silentstorm]

The 2 flame hawks would be cool to watch...but if you plan on shrimps, it might be asking for trouble.. I do have one without any issues with 2 cleaner shrimps...but I've read a lot of horror stories..
If you still want both, get the shrimp in 1st...possibly bigger than the hawks..

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

Naso and vlamingi tang need a larger tank. I agree that is too many firefish, I would probably choose one or the other and go back down to 2. And I would get some fairy flasher wrasse combo.

Completely agree with this. Vlamingi tangs can get over a foot in under two years and grow quick.

ok Ill go back down to two firefish...and I wont get the Vlamingi tnag but is there any way I could get away with a Naso tang for 3 years? Because after that im off to college and we will be selling live stock.

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

So the list now is...

2 purple firefish
2 flamehawks
1 yellow tang
1 sailfin tang
1 naso tang (maybe just depends on your guys opinions)
2 clowns
1 starry blenny
and a fairy wrasse combo

 

[jenjen]

1 naso tang (maybe just depends on your guys opinions)

I have a 180gal and I can tell you I would definitely not put a Naso Tang in there. Maybe a Kole or Tomini instead?

 

[Martini5788]

What if you
Did a powder blue instead of the Naso? That would work. I just really wouldn't do the Naso. I considered one for a while but it just isn't fair to them.

 

[ca1ore]

Sailfin gets large too; and mean when crowded.

 

[RedStangGA]

I think that's too many "larger" tangs. I'm setting up a 220, also 6 ft long, and will do a yellow and maybe a smaller one like a kole. And that's a maybe.

For lots of color look at an anthias harem of 4-5 members. Add in your clowns, I'd go with a single firefish unless you get them as a bonded pair, go with a McCosker's flasher, Carpenter's Flasher, and Filamented Flasher, Yellow coris wrasse, orange back fairy wrasse, your starry blenny, a goby, and your yellow tang.

If you truly have good equipment, that's not too much for a 180.

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

I think that's too many "larger" tangs. I'm setting up a 220, also 6 ft long, and will do a yellow and maybe a smaller one like a kole. And that's a maybe.

For lots of color look at an anthias harem of 4-5 members. Add in your clowns, I'd go with a single firefish unless you get them as a bonded pair, go with a McCosker's flasher, Carpenter's Flasher, and Filamented Flasher, Yellow coris wrasse, orange back fairy wrasse, your starry blenny, a goby, and your yellow tang.

If you truly have good equipment, that's not too much for a 180.

arent yellow coris wrasse hard to keep? And is that too many wrasses for one tank?

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

What if you Did a powder blue instead of the Naso? That would work. I just really wouldn't do the Naso. I considered one for a while but it just isn't fair to them.

I mean I was going to do that, but everyone I talked to said they are one of the most aggressive tangs...so im afraid of putting a powder blue with any other tang.

 

[RedStangGA]

arent yellow coris wrasse hard to keep? And is that too many wrasses for one tank?

You needs a sand bed that can accommodate it. Doesn't have to be sugar fine sand. I used the caribsea seaflor special grade(or something like that name) and it did excellent. Kept it in a 60 cube with a pair of clowns, orange back fairy, mccosker's flasher, yellow watchman goby, bicolor blenny, yellow tang, and a firefish. It bothered nothing and nothing bothered it. This was only for about a year though, need to make that clear. Was one of my favorite fish though as he was constantly on the move hunting and pecking. I will get another for my 200 for sure.

Ordered mine from LA. Went through QT like a champ.

 

[ginpang]

How about a japonicus; pyroferus; olivaceous; or ceruleus tang instead...of the pbt or the naso or the sailfin...
Definitely too many tangs for a 180

 

[scooter31707]

Recommended tangs for that tank would be Yellow, Scopas, Kole, Tomini, or Mimic. Recommended no more than 2.

 

[Moto_fish]

3 years? Because after that im off to college and we will be selling live stock.

No hate, but Im assuming youre a freshman in High School? Are you sure you'll be able to afford a tank of this size and the maintenance, equipment, etc thats necessary for it? I had a 75 gallon in HS, broke it down for a 29 in college, and am now graduated and barely able to afford that. I had plans of a giant tank before college happened, but in hindsight I am glad I didnt due to funding.

Typing that out is kind of a bummer actually. I thought Id move up financially post high school, but then I discovered Electricity and Water and Rent.