Noob stocking questions

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nobleprole

New member
Hi! 1st post. Here's what I've got and my questions. 90g DT w sump, 110int skimmer, 70 lbs rock, 10g low flow fuge w/2l matrix,marinepure block and 15lbs rock. Tank has been running 7 weeks, used RODI water. Slight brown diatoms just recently. Have 6 hermit crabs a 2 emerald crabs (added 1 week ago). 0 ammonia/nitirite and ~20 ppm nitrates. Started w.dry rock and added LR 3 weeks ago.

OK -my questions! 1) Given that I want to keep some corals (only the easiest!) and my son wants a snowflake eel (ugg) and my wife would like a puffer (valentini) what are my other stocking options? I was thinking a Kole Tang and maybe 1 or 2 other TBD fishes. Thoughts recommendations please!
2) Who/what should go in next? I realize the crabs' lives may be shortened by the eel and puffer.
I am not in any hurry but getting pressure to add a fish in the next 2 weeks or so1 Thanks! Bob
 
You have a good amount of options in a 90. Remember go slow when adding additions. Valentinis are great puffers, but may make short work of your crustaceans. Depending on the length, a kole tang would probably be ok. Start with adding least to most aggressive. If this is your first saltwater tank, I would skip the eel. Only reason is they are predators, and may snack on a fish that you were not prepared for. Eels are also dirty eaters and you will need to take that into account. Hawkfish, wrasse, blenny, goby, clown pair, royal gramma are all great starter fish
 
Thanks! However, the tank is my sons, I only pay for it and installed it and do all the work! therefore, there will be an eel as that's why we got the tank. The puffer is my wife's input - me I have no input. Given those 2 fish will be in there at some point and I would like to get some corals what are some other fish to match? (I thought of the Kole, but that's not a necessity, only the other 2.) Thanks again!
 
If the eel is an absolute must your options are fairly limited to about anything the eel won't be able to fit in it's mouth and even then there is still no guarantee it won't attempt to take a bite. 90g is a good size starter tank with many options for fish but your still fairly limited on large fish. Maybe you can try to find another fish that your son likes even more? Your best bet if you want other fish in that tank. As mentioned keeping the water clean with an eel will also be a difficult task. An oversized skimmer and very large water changes will be your best friend. The puffer may also snack on corals depending what you get.
 
Welcome!

You'll be ok with those fish. As mentioned leave the tangs for last. I introduced a couple of angels after my Kole and he gave them a hard time. No big deal, they are getting along now.
The puffer is super cool, hard to resist. I've been researching myself since I want one but they seem to be hit or miss with inverts. Snails seem to be a sure snack, also read a bit about the need to keep their teeth in check.
In that 90 you'll be able to put some more fish than what you mentioned.

Good luck!

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Definitley go for a snowflake moray, the valentini may go for the corals though so watch out for that. Mini carpet nems are also a great addition for noobs, because they are about as hardy as live rock.
AS for other fish maroon clowns are cool and can get big enough to avoid death by eel, but my snowflake moray has never eaten anything anyways and ill bet he was big enough to have snagged one of my percs.
 
Thanks! Will do. Please let me know of any other fish I could add in addition to the puffer and eel (and maybe tang, though I'm open to a replacement). Trying to get the stocking down so I put them in the tank in the best order. In the meantime we stare at crabs.
 
Mr Eel- Thanks! Will definitely look into a Maroon Clown. (should i entertain thoughts of ocelaris pair? seems like it's so dependent upon the specific eel)

Given all 4 fish (eel, Kole, puffer, maroon) are semi-aggressive - what order would you recommend? Never thought of a min-anemone- will do some research on that! More venom in the tank, just what my boys want!

Thanks again! Any other suggestions?
 
Personally I would go without the tang. If I was in your shoes with the aggressive tank nature your looking for I would add a Lion or Dwarf Lion fish. It will be out and moving all the time. Family will enjoy feeding them live foods. Eel will not bother it.

As for stocking I would add Maroon Clowns and try to get an anemone established first. Next add your corals (Kenya tree, Mushrooms, GSP). Then Eel, Puffer, & lion at the same time. Grab a bottle of N. Bacteria and watch your water quality.

Sounds like an awesome tank!
 
Love that idea! My only concern would be the puffer tearing at a lion's fins as I've heard they like flowing things. Yeah I could ditch the tang, was just trying to find something that could hold its own in this tank. I realize the eel, puffer and lion would create a big bioload b/c they are messy eaters perhaps another reason to add a lighter load animal. BTW you are right on -kids would LOVE al ion,eel,puffer! I'm just trying to balance their love with my work! I expect them to take up some duties but that will take some time (twin 9yr old boys) Thanks again!
 
Cliving1 said:
Could you spend the money on a golden dwarf eel instead? More of a community eel from my understanding.
Click to expand...

Love that idea! A smaller more tolerant eel. OK, so if we went with a Maroon clown, mini-anenomes, valentini puffer, maybe a fuzzy dwarf lion and a dwarf golden moray -any problems? (like a 50$fish attacking a 400$ eel?). Would a 6 line wrasse be suitable (maybe instead of the lion or perhaps in addition too)? Just trying to get options. Looks like golden dwarfs are a bit hard to get but we're in no rush as long as I can get something swimming in there in 2-3 weeks! Thanks again!
 
Sixlines are usually bullies and can hang with even the largest fish, but if your eel is in the mood for a snack, he can definitely take a six line down. So yes it's suitable but.... it has a decent chance of getting eaten. With this stocking list though you better not want to keep SPS corals. Dwarf lions and puffers can cause issues with stony corals.


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If you want easy corals, zoas, green star polyps, kenya trees, and xenias would do well. Possibly even a hammer coral. With that stocking list, you are going to have higher nitrates, and these corals do better in dirtier water.
 
Great info! Sounds like I may hold off on a sixline. Looks like I can convince the clan that a Maroon, Fuzzy dwarf lion, valentini puffer and dwarf golden eel would be a "killer" tank. Add some appropriate mini anemones and those corals and we've got a wrap!

OK - so next week we'll be looking to get a Maroon clown 1st (assuming water parameters are all good)! Thank you all! We will also begin the search for a dwarf golden eel. Here we go!
 
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