PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Angel85]

I have a 29 gallon Oceanic biocube that i just set up. I am removing the bioballs and i have added the 29 gallon oceanic protein skimmer. Will be adding live rock. Using agronite sand. I have an aquaclear HOB filter 20 gallons but would have to remove the back piece. Should I?
No sump.

I want to keep corals, especially zoanthids eventually.
I really like the coral beauty but heard it can nip and pick at corals..

I love the royal gramma and other small fish.

What recommendations do you have for this size tank?

 

[snorvich]

Hi guys!

This is my first post in RC. Have been reading around RC for a few months now and its been so informative! You guys rock!

I am planning to setup my first SW tank in a few months and was wondering if you guys can help me out with choosing my fish stock"¦

We do not do recommendations but we will provide analysis of compatibility with the environment you are providing and with each other

The plan is to have an SPS reef tank along with clams, but I don't plan to add any corals or anemones for atleast 6 months to a year"¦

Dimensions I am planning for is 72"x18"x22" & a 50g sump.

My fish stock plans for now is

Yellow Tang (1) Aggressive, should be last fish added
Blue Hippo Tang (1) Needs a much larger tank
Ocearalis clown (2)
Blue "“ green chromis (6) will reduce to one or two
Skunk shrimp(2)

Out of these, which would be a good beginner fish?

None of these fish are difficult but note the comments

I don't plan to have any corals or anemones for now, will the clowns be ok without one?

Yes.

Also how abt the Cleaning crew? My LFS has only shrimps"¦ I have not yet been able to find any snails here"¦ Will it be ok to go without them?

Shrimp are good cleanup crew but I recommend various snails which can be acquired online

What other fish can I add? I have the below options available at my LFS in the order of my preference"¦

Anthias Red Lyretail
Royal gramma
GOBY PURPLE FLAME
Fire goby (jumper?) Yes, they are jumpers, also very timid and should be added in the beginning
Banggai cardinalfish
Copper Band Butterfly (probably after a year??) Not an easy fish, some never eat and some are not reef safe especially towards clams and meaty LPS
Flame angel (safe to corals, clams n inverts?) Not reef safe
Strawberry dottyback (compatible with royal gramma?) Aggressive fish, not recommended
Wrasse Six Line (reef safe? Aggressive?) aggressive and will limit choices going forward, not recommended
Blenny Bicolor (reef safe?)
Doctor Blue Wrasse not invertebrate safe
Dotty Back Skunk (too aggressive?) too aggressive
Yellow Long nose Butterfly fish (reef safe?) more reef safe than most butterfly fish

 

[snorvich]

Here is my wish list
Kole Tang
Mimic Tang I would not recommend two tangs in this sized tank
pair of Gold Stripe Maroon Clowns very aggressive
Goby/ Shrimp pair
Starry Blennie
Barnacle Blennie
possibly a Blue Throat Trigger. not invertebrate safe
Lemon Peel Angel
Lyretail Anthias x 3
Black & White Heniochos

You have a fair number of largish fish; this will make your tank look smallish

 

[snorvich]

I have a 29 gallon Oceanic biocube that i just set up. I am removing the bioballs and i have added the 29 gallon oceanic protein skimmer. Will be adding live rock. Using agronite sand. I have an aquaclear HOB filter 20 gallons but would have to remove the back piece. Should I?
No sump.

I want to keep corals, especially zoanthids eventually.
I really like the coral beauty but heard it can nip and pick at corals.. yes dwarf angels are not reef safe

I love the royal gramma and other small fish.

What recommendations do you have for this size tank?

Actually, we do not do recommendations but would be happy to provide compatibility commentary if you want to check back

 

[ensquire]

Here is my wish list
Kole Tang
Mimic Tang I would not recommend two tangs in this sized tank
pair of Gold Stripe Maroon Clowns very aggressive
Goby/ Shrimp pair
Starry Blennie
Barnacle Blennie
Lemon Peel Angel
Lyretail Anthias x 3
Black & White Heniochos

You have a fair number of largish fish; this will make your tank look smallish

Are the clowns aggressive as a pair? If added last would it help.
I Like lots of fish, but no problem dropping the trigger.
Which would be a better reef dweller, the Lemon Peel or the Heniochos

 

[snorvich]

Are the clowns aggressive as a pair? The most aggressive of all clowns If added last would it help. No
I Like lots of fish, but no problem dropping the trigger.
Which would be a better reef dweller, the Lemon Peel or the Heniochos

Henionchus but the right one.

 

[ajramon1]

Don't really know where to start.

Don't really know where to start.

Very New to the hobby. Still setting up the tank but don't even have water in it yet. I have a 65 gallon tank with a 20 gal. refugium. I plan to have around 60 lbs of live rock and a live sand substrate. I also have a Coralife Super Skimmer 65 Gallon. As for the fish I was hoping to keep a reef tank. Below are the possible fish I wanted to have. There are a lot so I know I may not be able to keep all of them. But suggestions and comments will definitely be appreciated.

1 Flame Angel
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Purple Firefish
1 Sixline Wrasse
1 Blue Tang
1 Mandarin Dragonet
1 Banded Coral Shrimp

Also wanted to get a bulb anemone, a condy anemone, and some soft corals.

Don't know if it's possible and I know the dragonet is for experts so I'll wait on that until I get some experience. Also, what order should I introduce these fish into the tank, because I know some will be more territorial or aggressive than others like the flame angel. What would be a good first addition to the tank? Do I need a full cleanup crew right off the bat as well? Is the Coral Shrimp not enough? What should I do? thank you for your input

 

[snorvich]

Very New to the hobby. Still setting up the tank but don't even have water in it yet. I have a 65 gallon tank with a 20 gal. refugium. I plan to have around 60 lbs of live rock and a live sand substrate. I also have a Coralife Super Skimmer 65 Gallon. As for the fish I was hoping to keep a reef tank. Below are the possible fish I wanted to have. There are a lot so I know I may not be able to keep all of them. But suggestions and comments will definitely be appreciated.

1 Flame Angel not safe for corals, especially meaty LPS
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Purple Firefish for long term stability, must be a male plus female
1 Sixline Wrasse Not compatible with firefish because they are so aggressive
1 Blue Tang requires a much larger tank
1 Mandarin Dragonet your tank is of marginal size for this fish, but with maturity and a producing refugium, it could work
1 Banded Coral Shrimp can take fish

Also wanted to get a bulb anemone, a condy anemone, and some soft corals. anemones need a mature tank and appropriate lighting

Don't know if it's possible and I know the dragonet is for experts so I'll wait on that until I get some experience. Also, what order should I introduce these fish into the tank,

most passive first, e.g. firefish, most aggressive last

because I know some will be more territorial or aggressive than others like the flame angel. What would be a good first addition to the tank? Do I need a full cleanup crew right off the bat as well? Is the Coral Shrimp not enough? What should I do? thank you for your input

 

[Reef_lover]

Thank you steve for your comments... now i can see the haze clearing up slowly...

 

[Angel85]

Actually, we do not do recommendations but would be happy to provide compatibility commentary if you want to check back

I see. Ok, compatability only, here is a list of fish i have been thinking about. I dont mean i would get every one of them, but they are a list of considerations so far:

(1only) Royal Gramma
(Small group? Or just 1?)Blue or yellow tail blue damsel
(Pair) ocellaris or percula clownfish
Watchman goby or other small goby
(If i dont keep corals)coral beauty angelfish

 

[snorvich]

I see. Ok, compatability only, here is a list of fish i have been thinking about. I dont mean i would get every one of them, but they are a list of considerations so far:

(1only) Royal Gramma
(Small group? Or just 1?)Blue or yellow tail blue damsel these are aggressive and not recommended for a 29 gallon tank
(Pair) ocellaris or percula clownfish
Watchman goby or other small goby
(If i dont keep corals)coral beauty angelfish

I would skip the damsels but otherwise, the list sounds fine

 

[tatorswife]

wish list for our 150 gallon tank 6 ft long, 30 inches deep.
proflex model 4 sump
2 koralia ph's 2700
mag 12 pump
reef octopus sro3000int skimmer

please help me to make sure we can have these fish together..just some of our likes.

2 ocellaris clowns (can we have a black/white and orange/white together??)
3-5 blue green chromis
watchman goby/pistol shrimp
jawfish
scooter blenny
yellow tang
and wayyyyy down the road my dh would love to get a dragonette

About how many fish can we have in a 150 gallon tank without overloading it??

 

[snorvich]

wish list for our 150 gallon tank 6 ft long, 30 inches deep.
proflex model 4 sump
2 koralia ph's 2700
mag 12 pump
reef octopus sro3000int skimmer

please help me to make sure we can have these fish together..just some of our likes.

2 ocellaris clowns (can we have a black/white and orange/white together??)
3-5 blue green chromis these fish are likely to winnow down until there is only one or two left
watchman goby/pistol shrimp
jawfish
scooter blenny
yellow tang add last
and wayyyyy down the road my dh would love to get a dragonette should be fine, but remember that a scooter blenny IS a form of dragonette

About how many fish can we have in a 150 gallon tank without overloading it??

 

[Angel85]

I would skip the damsels but otherwise, the list sounds fine

Thank you

 

[tatorswife]

Thanks so much..Did not know that about the scooter blenny..will be waiting a while for that one too then. Thanks again

 

[snorvich]

Thanks so much..Did not know that about the scooter blenny..will be waiting a while for that one too then. Thanks again

Well scooter blennies are more able to sustain themselves on mysis than mandarins. Some dragonets will eat frozen but a sufficient copepod supply is required for long term success.

 

[MeTaLMaN1375]

Ok so I have a typical 75g tank with a 20g long sump plenty of filtration with my skimmer rated for a tank upto 120g and a dual reactor with GFO and Carbon.
My tank population consist of this list.

1 Yellow Mimic Tang
2 Ocelleris Clowns
1 Bicolor blenny
1 Copper Banded Butterfly
2 Blue Damsels
1 Stripped Cardinal
5 snails
5 hermit crabs
1 shrimp
1 emerald crab
1 BTA
and a few corals
You can most of this info from my sig as well if im missing something and I have a pic of my rockscape below.
What I want to get is a kole tang and a reef safe wrasse that will eat pests.

 

[snorvich]

Ok so I have a typical 75g tank with a 20g long sump plenty of filtration with my skimmer rated for a tank upto 120g and a dual reactor with GFO and Carbon.
My tank population consist of this list.

1 Yellow Mimic Tang
2 Ocelleris Clowns
1 Bicolor blenny
1 Copper Banded Butterfly
2 Blue Damsels
1 Stripped Cardinal
5 snails
5 hermit crabs
1 shrimp
1 emerald crab
1 BTA
and a few corals
You can most of this info from my sig as well if im missing something and I have a pic of my rockscape below.
What I want to get is a kole tang and a reef safe wrasse that will eat pests.

I do not recommend a second tang in a 75 gallon tank. For a variety of reasons, we do not make recommendations but would be happy to comment on any perspective additions.

 

[Guillaume]

Hi snorvich and all,

I upgraded a month ago with a 150g 60X27X22, transfered 2 percs and a yellow tang I had since 2 years in a previous setup.
It's now a penninsula style, medium rock load in the center, mainly two islands, hiding spaces, low coral load (transfered too) at the moment.

I introduced two Heniochus Diphreutes this afternoon. Percs don't move, relax as they are in there Euphelias. But you guess that the Tang is doing his game. Started relax the first 15 minutes but since then he is charging the Heniochus every 5-10 minutes I'd say, sometimes just turning around them, like a dog sniffing. Now it's darker at night in the room so he more into his "bed location" but still paying attention to the new guys in their corner.

I would think he is showing who's the boss right now and I'm optimist it will stop after max three days. Lights are all off. Current lower.

What you think?
Just not liking these steps...

Thanks

G

 

[snorvich]

Hi snorvich and all,

I upgraded a month ago with a 150g 60X27X22, transfered 2 percs and a yellow tang I had since 2 years in a previous setup.
It's now a penninsula style, medium rock load in the center, mainly two islands, hiding spaces, low coral load (transfered too) at the moment.

I introduced two Heniochus Diphreutes this afternoon. Percs don't move, relax as they are in there Euphelias. But you guess that the Tang is doing his game. Started relax the first 15 minutes but since then he is charging the Heniochus every 5-10 minutes I'd say, sometimes just turning around them, like a dog sniffing. Now it's darker at night in the room so he more into his "bed location" but still paying attention to the new guys in their corner.

I would think he is showing who's the boss right now and I'm optimist it will stop after max three days. Lights are all off. Current lower.

What you think?
Just not liking these steps...

Thanks

G

Yellow tangs are incredibly aggressive once established but lights off will help. It may diminish over a couple of days. I would say the odds are about 50/50.