Looking for some help with fish and tank size

[LKELLY]

This is a new venture for us. My daughter has always dreamed of a salt water tank. We are only in the research stage and are trying to get some ideas together. She has done some research and decided on what fish she would like. I need to know if they are good together and what size tank they can be in. I kind of have my eye on a fluval M-90. Its 36gal but split so 27 gal up front and 9 in the back with skimmer and heater and whatever else. So keeping that size in mind here is what she would like. a clown, pink spotted goby, a purple firefish and an ornate wrasse. So I need to know if these are suitable for this size tank and together. Also we would like some coral but they have to be non toxic any suggestions welcome. And some sort of clean up crew as in snails shrimp or hermit crabs. Suggestions welcome. Please teach a total newbie. Like I said we are in the research stage only and have no equipment as of yet its just a plan starting to evolve.
TIA

 

[acebigalowe]

Sounds good to me.

 

[Sk8r]

The toxic coral you have to avoid is a variety of palys or palythoa, which is often confused with zoanthids, or zoas.

Other corals do sting and give off chemicals, so wearing latex gloves is a very good habit. It protects the corals from us, too. The fish you name should be good. THe firefish jumps, and can land on the carpet if you don't have a jump shield or screen.

What you describe is a 36 all-in-one, which is a good get-experience tank. Light quality will determine what corals you can keep. For a beginner, with a small tank, I'd recommend hardy mushrooms (they will grow and reproduce and are ok with less than high-end lights) and those fish.

Up there with the flashing red arrow is a file called SETTING UP. That's a collection of topics which, if you know the info therein, will save you a lot of mistakes.

And ask. You've got your ducks in a row and you're headed in a good direction. Keep asking questions.

 

[gone fishin]

I am not sure which ornate wrasse your referring but I believe none of them would be a good choice for your tank size. The other fishes listed should work out fine.

what do you mean by non-toxic coral?

For CUC I would pick either snails or hermits. The Hermits will most likely shell jack the snails for a bigger shell.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

There is a good M60 build thread (24 gallon model)

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2512752

I have the M90- newbie just started December. So far I like it, but too new to really give an insightful opinion. My first thoughts are I wish I had a little more depth (front to back not top to bottom), but right now it isn't enough for me to regret my decision.

Bulk Reef Supply DIY screen is a must- I was on the fence, but was quickly forced off that fence when I found my beloved clown fish in the back sump after night 1.

In a week or two Intank Media is going to start selling a media rack from the back sump that will help flow. I think I am 80% going to get one.

 

[LKELLY]

Non toxic as in if we touch it we get sick. We will wear gloves though. Any certain kinds?
She also mentioned a star fish is there one that would work with this group? How about a cleaner shrimp? Along the fish lines how many of each is required if its only one are there any other fish that can go in or is 3-4 fish the max for that size tank? Halichoeres ornatissimus this one she is after also known as Christmas wrasse. Seems like it may be a bit large. Is there another peaceful small fish that would work well in here?

 

[gone fishin]

Non toxic as in if we touch it we get sick. We will wear gloves though. Any certain kinds?
She also mentioned a star fish is there one that would work with this group? How about a cleaner shrimp? Along the fish lines how many of each is required if its only one are there any other fish that can go in or is 3-4 fish the max for that size tank? Halichoeres ornatissimus this one she is after also known as Christmas wrasse. Seems like it may be a bit large. Is there another peaceful small fish that would work well in here?

I believe 3-4 fish would be it. Yes the H. ornatissimus would be a bad fit IMO. If your daughter would like to stick with the wrasse family take a look at the pygmy wrasse.

I don't know much about Stars other than a lot of them do not seem to do well especially in smaller tanks. A brittle star may work but, I would verify that.

 

[A.Astore]

A Royal Gramma would probably be a good choice in place of the wrasse. And the pygmy wrasse is pretty neat looking!

You don't have to have multiples of any fish and generally you don't want to in that size tank. I would probably even avoid the typical pair of clowns and go with a single to help reduce the likelihood they will become territorial to the whole tank.

Stars would probably be difficult to sustain in the system.

The cleaner shrimp you should not have issues with, I don't see any immediate predators in your list of wants.

 

[LKELLY]

I think she just liked it for the colours not so much the family. So 1 clown 1 purple firefish 1 pink spotted goby and any recommendation for one other small peaceful fish?

 

[LKELLY]

Oh that Royal Gramma is very cool I'm pretty sure I can convince her to swap that out. So a clown, a purple firefish, pink spotted goby, and a royal gramma would be suited for this size tank. With approximately how many snails or hermit crabs and or shrimp? What is/are appropriate snails or crabs or shrimp for this set up?

 

[thelawnwrangler]

I have 2 hermits (scarlet are preferred by a lot on this site)
2 Cerith Snails
5 other snails some mix of turbo/margarita/banded trochus
2- shrimp (one peppermint and one Fire)

I think you could have more than that if you wanted