Need some advice on where to go from here

[CL8869]

Alright I know the title of this thread was very vague, but I am having an issue. Current setup has been running like this for about a year now. Everyone seems really happy and they are all growing as normal.

180 Gallon DT, 150 gallon 3 chamber sump system in the basement built from 3 55 gallon tanks linked together using a Reeflo barracuda with Goby impeller for return.

200lbs live rock with about 130 of it in the DT
Jaebo wavemaker powerhead in tank
10K normal ED lights for a FW setup as this is just a FOWLR

Stock:
2 Foxface (I know this was a bad idea but my first one was so skittish I tried getting another hoping to become friends with him and it worked. Now they live together like a pair of clowns)
2 Clowns
1 Malanarus Wrasse
1 Green coris wrasse
1 Engineer Goby
1 Flame Angle
1 Blue hippo tang
1 Kole eye tang
Maybe an assortment of 80 hermits and snails (I need to get more)

So my questions are as follows.

Am I overstocked?

I have a 150 gallon freshwater tank that I am debating on converting to salt and linking to the basement sump system. However the only reason I really would want to do that is because my wife wants a puffer of some sort. I never bought a puffer as I know they eat the cleanup crew. However, you apparently need to feed them snails regardless so their beaks don't overgrow.

Is there any way to add some sort of puffer into my existing 180 DT? Or is it too heavily stocked as is? Are there fish that a puffer would not get along with in there already?

We like the Porcupines, but I know that they get too big to toss into that stock list and would most likely eat my clowns anyways. That is one we would have to use the 150 for. But what about a blue spot or some type of dwarf so I could avoid setting up the 150?

Also, if I change from using just the normal freshwater type of LED strip I am using to those Mars Aqua LED lights for marine tanks, what would change? Would different things grow? I would get 3 of the 165 watt ones.

Sorry for the questions, just don't know where else to ask. And this forum has taught me a TON. Thanks in advance!

 

[CL8869]

Also forgot to add I have a large reef octopus skimmer in the sump, uv sterilizer, carbon reactor and also an algae scrubber down there.

 

[reefgeezer]

Nice set-up for a FOWLR. Your roughly 300 gallon system, IMHO, should support quite a bit heavier bioload. Add things slowly and pay attention to how the system reacts. Test nitrates & phosphates regularly. Watch for signs of rising dissolved organics like cyanobacteria outbreaks or falling PH.

 

[CL8869]

Is a puffer a possibility? Will it consume my clean up crew extremely fast or is that something I could just keep restocking as some get picked off?

I knew I was forgetting one, I also have a Falco Hawkfish. Hes a ton of fun to watch. I do feel like the tank is under stocked personally as everyone is still small and these salt fish seem to take forever to grow compared to my Cichlids in my freshwater tank.

 

[TrendyBrendy]

Depends on the puffer and how big your fish are.

you might lose your green corris eventually since it's a little on the smaller size, but everything else should be fine if you get a smaller puffer.

if you've got moonlights or are planning to get them, I'd recommend the blue spotted puffer or the Bennet's sharpnose because they'll look pretty stunning under blue LED. The blue spotted gets a little bit bigger so I'd recommend the Bennet's first.

the valentini is also a nice option since it's pretty small and peaceful. Not an expert on puffers, but 80 snails/crabs should hold it over for quite some time. They aren't very aggressive eaters from what I've read. apparently they can even eat bristle worms.

I think adding a puffer is pretty realistic.

 

[CL8869]

Yeah we both really like the blue spotted puffer. So adding one of those should be ok?

At what % do you think my tank is stocked at?

Size wise my fish aren't that large yet. Clowns are around 2", falco is maybe 3", one foxface is 5 the other is around 4, blue tang is 3.5", melanaurs wrasse is 4", green wrasse is 2.5", flame angel is 2.5", so everyone is still small. Tank honestly looks empty most of the time.

 

[roli112]

With that much water and your system, I wouldn't worry about How stocked it is, as long as your not adding a bunch of fish at once, your bioload should should keep up. Just make sure the fish are healthy and compatible and you'll be good.

 

[CL8869]

You think I could add a blue spot puffer and also a potters angel? That would be all I would want for a full stock list.

 

[CeresReef]

Bioload-wise, that should be fine. I love the blue spot too, but unrealistic for my 23g

 

[CL8869]

I guess I just got a little worried about overstocking and in turn under stocked it a bit. Not a bad thing, but those were two fish I do want still. I really don't want to setup the 150 honestly. I wouldnt mind moving it down stairs as a sump extension thoigh.