First, here is the look I am aiming for: I like a less cluttered tank --no overflowing, "busy" tanks. I hope to diminish how busy the tank looks by trying to coordinate just a few colors. I thought I would have one centerpiece fish (Kole Tang) and then two other basic colors for fish. I had originally thought about 3-5 Chromies and then a couple of another species, such as Anthias. I then crossed off the Anthias, because I wanted more character in the tank....enter the Midas Blenny. If I can manage to keep a few Blue Reef Chromis alive with one Midas and a Kole, I think this may look okay and still have plenty of character.
I also really dislike a messy sandbed...enter, the awesome Diamind Goby. Additonally, there's nothing like a freshly mowed rock...enter, the Tuxedo Urchin. (I am a huge fan of the clean-back-glass-look).
Near Final Fish List --the bold are the must haves (or at least the "really-want-haves"):
1 Kole Tang
3 Blue Reef Chromis vs. alternative of 3-5 Blue/Green Chromis
1 Midas Blenny vs. alternative of 2 Yellow Assesors(Assessor flavissimus) vs. Anthias
1 tuxedo urchin (add once coraline is established)
1 Diamond Goby (added once sandbed is established)
2 peppermint shrimp
1-2 skunk cleaner shrimp
1 scarlet serpent star (may need to supplement diet with krill)
crimson hermits w/extra shells
snails
Crocea Clams
Concerns:
-No one seems to have a picture of a Blue Reef Chromis as an adult so I am not sure how quick they may out grow the tank. Some sources say they may reach FIVE inches; others say 3-4". I spoke with one person that had a 3-1/2" the same size for several years (though he always only had one Blue Reef mixed with his Blue/Green Chromies).
-Midas Blenny might attack Diamond Goby (similar body shapes). I like the idea of this yellow fish contrasting with the Blue Reef Chromis.
And, of course some new photos of the tank that was finished yesterday...:celeb1: I went with a shallow tank (18") to have better success with corals under less demanding lights and added more width for better aquascaping. I plan on going for several interconnected islands rather than the "wall of rock" look. We'll see if I have much luck creating it. I am avidly stealing everyone else's ideas from this forum...it's a truly amazing resource.
Made mistake number one recently; though, it's a very small one: get the glass assembled with the darker, black silicone. I think it may look slightly better and more modern, IMO.
