PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Hey there,
55g fowlr with 20g sump + skimmer

Fish already in tank
1 Banggai Cardinal
1 Firefish
1 Royal Gramma

Can I add:
2 perc clowns
1 Kole Tang

Im getting conflicting advice from the net rgding size for the tang. If the 50g is too small, can I add an auriga butterfly fish instead?

a kole tang would be marginal, an auriga butterfly fish would be fine. Bioload is fine

 

[snorvich]

Steve - you were quite helpful before and I wanted to run an updated plan by your expertise.

Setting up a 40g breeder, 20g sump/fuge, skimmer, FOWLR. Undecided between a glass top or 1/4" mesh top.
Planning a 1-2" sandbed for most of the tank, going to try to make a LR terrace to create a deeper section in one area for jawfish with LR rubble.

Current: (in a 20g long - to move to the 40g once set up)
-1 female percula clown (always has been a single)
-1 neon blue goby (Elacatinus oceanops)
-1 flagtail goby (Amblyeleotris yanoi) - added from QT 6 days ago and haven't seen since, not sure if he is still in there, lots of hiding spots
-1 candy pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli)
-Nassarius / cerith snails

Would like to add:
-1 flame angel (Centropyge loriculus) - (added last)
-1 Punctato butterfly (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus) or Lemon butterfly (Chaetodon miliaris) if tank size is appropriate
-1-2 pearly jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) ideally, should have deeper sand along with rock rubble
-1 fighting conch, unless it would be problematic with jawfish
-2 peppermint or cleaner shrimp
-Additional snails

Alternate:
-1 royal gramma (Gramma loreto) - instead of the butterfly if it isn't a good choice

this is the better option, either butterfly, especially with company would do better in a larger tank. Otherwise, fine except with comment provided

Thank you very much!

 

[Ryand63]

55 AGA, Reef ocotopus bh 1000 hob skimmer. Will have ~50 lbs LR (keeping front open for swimming room), 50lbs sand, FOWLR.

Current Stock: (in the 29, moving into the 55)
1 Misbar Clown
1 Bangaii Cardinal
1 Flame Angel
1 Skunk Cleaner

Would like to add:
1 Kole Tang
1 Barlett's Anthias or preferably 1 Squareback Anthias

May be selling the cardinal if bioload is too large. Thanks in advance!

 

[snorvich]

55 AGA, Reef ocotopus bh 1000 hob skimmer. Will have ~50 lbs LR (keeping front open for swimming room), 50lbs sand, FOWLR.

Current Stock: (in the 29, moving into the 55)
1 Misbar Clown
1 Bangaii Cardinal
1 Flame Angel
1 Skunk Cleaner

Would like to add:
1 Kole Tang
1 Barlett's Anthias or preferably 1 Squareback Anthias

May be selling the cardinal if bioload is too large. Thanks in advance!

Bioload is not the issue. The tank is really not large enough for any tang but this is made more problematic as the flame angel occupies the same ecological niche.

 

[Ryand63]

Bioload is not the issue. The tank is really not large enough for any tang but this is made more problematic as the flame angel occupies the same ecological niche.

Meaning that they share the common swmiming space in the tank? Just making sure I understand. Would a single Anthias of the species listed be ok?

 

[jlymner]

I have a 46 gal bow front with a 15 gal sump, lots of live rock and sand (fine) been running for a few months with 2 clown fish, a peppermint shrimp, a red leg hermit, two turbo snails... about a doz soft corals (mushrooms, zoes, xina, kenia trees) I'm thinking I need more clean up crew.. working on getting a skimmer.

Ideally I'd like to add three or so Banggai Cardinal and breed them... any thoughs? currently have some problems with slime algae... been doing 10 gal water changes weekly and turned the lights off a few days.. (4 t5)

 

[snorvich]

Meaning that they share the common swmiming space in the tank? Just making sure I understand. Would a single Anthias of the species listed be ok?

No, it is not a swimming space issue although for some tangs that would be an issue. A flame angel and any tang are both "grazers" and if either perceives encroachment, there can easily be a problem. In a larger tank, the tang will perceive there is more "grazing territory". The recommended space for any anthias is normally 75 gallons; you are marginally acceptable there. But for the larger, less than peaceful anthias, it could be a problem.

 

[snorvich]

I have a 46 gal bow front with a 15 gal sump, lots of live rock and sand (fine) been running for a few months with 2 clown fish, a peppermint shrimp, a red leg hermit, two turbo snails... about a doz soft corals (mushrooms, zoes, xina, kenia trees) I'm thinking I need more clean up crew.. working on getting a skimmer.

Ideally I'd like to add three or so Banggai Cardinal and breed them... any thoughs? currently have some problems with slime algae... been doing 10 gal water changes weekly and turned the lights off a few days.. (4 t5)

Three Banggai cardinals will become either two or one depending on if you are lucky enough to introduce a male plus female. Be sure to get tank raised rather than wild caught. They are, however easy to breed.

 

[Ryand63]

No, it is not a swimming space issue although for some tangs that would be an issue. A flame angel and any tang are both "grazers" and if either perceives encroachment, there can easily be a problem. In a larger tank, the tang will perceive there is more "grazing territory". The recommended space for any anthias is normally 75 gallons; you are marginally acceptable there. But for the larger, less than peaceful anthias, it could be a problem.

O, Ok I understand. New Proposal for fish:

Just a reminder: 55 AGA, 1 clown, 1 bangaii cardinal, 1 flame angel

Like to add: 1 of the SMALLER Anthias such as fathead, squareback or barltett
1 Butterfly fish (either latticed or racoon)

 

[snorvich]

O, Ok I understand. New Proposal for fish:

Just a reminder: 55 AGA, 1 clown, 1 bangaii cardinal, 1 flame angel

Like to add: 1 of the SMALLER Anthias such as fathead, squareback or barltett
1 Butterfly fish (either latticed or racoon)

should be fine although less than recommended tank size for either.

 

[crabbyreef]

Japanese Swallow Tail / Bellus Angel Question

Japanese Swallow Tail / Bellus Angel Question

Tank Specs:

90 gallon (Regular)/Bare bottom /30 Gallon Sump/ Bubble Magus N7 Skimmer /~95 lbs Dry Rock/ Vertex Illumina 36" SR260 LED's

Considering I just started fishless cycling this tank it's fairly premature to be talking fish however I was wondering if someday this tank would support a female Japanese Swallow Tail or a Male Bellus Angelfish? My focus will be SPS and LPS corals but a marquee fish such as one of these would definitely enhance the display. I was considering one of the "reef-safe" angels as a possibility.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Mike
Ohio

 

[snorvich]

Tank Specs:

90 gallon (Regular)/Bare bottom /30 Gallon Sump/ Bubble Magus N7 Skimmer /~95 lbs Dry Rock/ Vertex Illumina 36" SR260 LED's

Considering I just started fishless cycling this tank it's fairly premature to be talking fish however I was wondering if someday this tank would support a female Japanese Swallow Tail or a Male Bellus Angelfish? My focus will be SPS and LPS corals but a marquee fish such as one of these would definitely enhance the display. I was considering one of the "reef-safe" angels as a possibility.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Mike
Ohio

90 gallons is not really sufficient for any Genicanthus. In any case, Male Genicanthus, for whatever reason, seem to ship poorly and be less than hardy.

 

[MrShroomy]

Hello Snorvich, I have read most of the pages in this thread and just wanted to thank you for spending so much of your time answering questions. I am planning my first saltwater tank a 120g reef tank (60x18x26). I plan on having a sump with a protein skimmer and refugium. In the display I plan on having a 2-3 inch sand bed and around 150 pounds of live rock in the display and sump. Going to start with a FOWLR and move my way into corals. I plan on mostly sps and maybe some lps. I would also like to have clams and an anemone when the tank has matured. All fish will be quarantined and I will have a screen on my tank.

Would like to add:
yellow tang (last)
cheveron tang
diamond watchman gobby
maroon clownfish
pair of leopard wrasse (m+f when tank has matured)
dusky wrasse

what are your thoughts on chromis other than blue/green? Are there any to watch out for? How am i doing on the bioload? Would a trio of anthias or flasher wrasse work?

Clean up crew:

Nassarius Snail 15?
Cerith Snail 15?
Peppermint Shrimp 1-3?

Anything else for a clean up crew? I'm not sure about the numbers for my cleanup crew so any help there would be appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[snorvich]

Hello Snorvich, I have read most of the pages in this thread and just wanted to thank you for spending so much of your time answering questions. I am planning my first saltwater tank a 120g reef tank (60x18x26). I plan on having a sump with a protein skimmer and refugium. In the display I plan on having a 2-3 inch sand bed and around 150 pounds of live rock in the display and sump. Going to start with a FOWLR and move my way into corals. I plan on mostly sps and maybe some lps. I would also like to have clams and an anemone when the tank has matured. All fish will be quarantined and I will have a screen on my tank.

Would like to add:
yellow tang (last) very territorial, may preclude additions later
cheveron tang excellent
diamond watchman gobby
maroon clownfish very aggressive, I recommend a different species such as A. percula or A. ocellaris
pair of leopard wrasse (m+f when tank has matured) doable, but normally not recommended for new to the hobby
dusky wrasse

what are your thoughts on chromis other than blue/green? Are there any to watch out for?

there seem to be problems with chromis coming in sick at the moment, I recommend against for that reason but even if they were healthy, they usual winnow down until just one is left

How am i doing on the bioload? Would a trio of anthias or flasher wrasse work? flasher wrasses or peaceful anthias would work

Clean up crew:

Nassarius Snail 15?
Cerith Snail 15?
Peppermint Shrimp 1-3?

Anything else for a clean up crew? I'm not sure about the numbers for my cleanup crew so any help there would be appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[CAPSLOK]

Setting up a 40g breeder, 20g sump/fuge, skimmer, FOWLR.

Current:
-1 female percula clown
-1 neon blue goby (Elacatinus oceanops)
-1 flagtail goby (Amblyeleotris yanoi)
-1 candy pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli)
-Nassarius / cerith snails

Would like to add:
-1 flame angel (Centropyge loriculus) - (added last)
-1 Punctato butterfly (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus) or Lemon butterfly (Chaetodon miliaris) if tank size is appropriate
-1-2 pearly jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) ideally, should have deeper sand along with rock rubble
-1 fighting conch
-2 peppermint or cleaner shrimp
-Additional snails

Alternate:
-1 royal gramma (Gramma loreto) - instead of the butterfly if it isn't a good choice

this is the better option, either butterfly, especially with company would do better in a larger tank. Otherwise, fine except with comment provided

-

Do you mean basically to skip the butterfly due to the angel being a browser as well? I was only thinking of one butterfly if appropriate. I had not had any luck finding min tank sizes for those little butterflies.

I was planning to use some LR as a "terrace" of sorts to create a 3-5" sandbed on a smaller portion of the tank, so the jawfish could have a deeper portion without having a DSB in the entire tank. This area would also have LR rubble and shells and such for them to utilize. Hoping it works out in reality as I have it pictured in my mind.

Thank you again, it is much appreciated.
~Becky

 

[MrShroomy]

So both the cheveron and the yellow would work? I had hoped adding the yellow tang last would help with the aggression. As for the leopard wrasses I planned on adding them when I had more experience.

 

[snorvich]

So both the cheveron and the yellow would work? I had hoped adding the yellow tang last would help with the aggression. As for the leopard wrasses I planned on adding them when I had more experience.

I am always reluctant to advocate for multiple tangs which include a yellow. So, I cannot say for sure that it will work, it is more "possibly will work".

 

[crabbyreef]

Just another case of my LFS guy saying "Sure a 90 is large enough for one." Disappointed but better safe than sorry.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[jlymner]

Banggai cardinals

Banggai cardinals

Three Banggai cardinals will become either two or one depending on if you are lucky enough to introduce a male plus female. Be sure to get tank raised rather than wild caught. They are, however easy to breed.

I was planning on tank raised :inlove:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151169909072591&set=a.10150216262972591.338383.594197590&type=1&theater&notif_t=photo_comment#!/BanggaiRescue

 

[Orangeman1515]

please check my intended fish purchases...

please check my intended fish purchases...

I am planning on adding these fish
Lawnmower Blenny
2 small Ocellaris tank bred clowns
Flame Angel
Half black mimic tang

is that the proper order to add them, and do you foresee any problems? I would like maybe 2 more small fish, but don't want to overstock my tank. I now have 50 lbs of Manado live rock, plenty places to hide. I also have 10 astrea snails, 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 emerald crab, and 10 blue leg hermits. My tank completed its cycle 1 month ago and the diatom bloom outbreak came and went a few weeks ago.