PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

I should have mentioned that I bought the cbs as a mated pair, but thanks for double checking me!

Are you able to expand on how the tank size makes a difference? I really am asking as a learning point, not trying to argue with you I thought maybe with a steady supply of copepods I would be OK. Or is it because I am running fowlr?

It is because of the rate of eating copepods. Mandarins eat constantly and the reproduction rate of copepods will be exceeded by the number consumed. My rough estimation of the minimum tank size to reach equilibrium (number produced = number consumed) is roughly 75 gallons. Obviously, any other fish that consumes copepods will make the problem worse and the equilibrium gallonage higher.

 

[telijah]

It is because of the rate of eating copepods. Mandarins eat constantly and the reproduction rate of copepods will be exceeded by the number consumed. My rough estimation of the minimum tank size to reach equilibrium (number produced = number consumed) is roughly 75 gallons. Obviously, any other fish that consumes copepods will make the problem worse and the equilibrium gallonage higher.

Ah OK I get it. I guess the only other way to circumvent it would be by having my own LARGE copepod farm Thanks again!

 

[snorvich]

Ah OK I get it. I guess the only other way to circumvent it would be by having my own LARGE copepod farm Thanks again!

Yes. Actually people do in fact do that.

 

[thebkramer]

Hi again Steve!!

so I upgraded to a 90g.. I know it will be a few months before I actually transfer any of my fish.. and then add more. But I have an idea of what I want in the tank. (reason for upgrading!!)

I currently have:
McCoskers Flasher Wrasse Pair
Starry Blenny
2 O Clowns
Barnacle Blenny
YWG
Green & Yellow Clown Gobies

Inverts:
PLTA
Anemone Porcelain
Purple Porcelain
Pom Pom Crab pair
Harlequin Serpent
Tiger Sand Conch

I would like to add:
Barnacle Blenny
Scooter Blenny
Coral Beauty

would a FoxFace Lo be alright with these lil guys??
I'm seeing that I like alot of rock/sand dwellers/perchers lol I don't have any free swimmers in the tank besides the Wrasses! (clownfish just hang in the corner of my tank) I really love the foxface.. so I was hoping he would do well....

Inverts to add:
Yellow Sea Cucumber
Banded Serpent Star
pink/purple pincushion urchin

Thanks for your input!!! I really appreciate what you do here Steve!!!

-Rhonda

p.s. excuse my sig.. I have to edit it. RC changed our limit of lines and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to change it to fit

 

[snorvich]

Hi again Steve!!

so I upgraded to a 90g.. I know it will be a few months before I actually transfer any of my fish.. and then add more. But I have an idea of what I want in the tank. (reason for upgrading!!)

I currently have:
McCoskers Flasher Wrasse Pair
Starry Blenny
2 O Clowns
Barnacle Blenny
YWG
Green & Yellow Clown Gobies

Inverts:
PLTA
Anemone Porcelain
Purple Porcelain
Pom Pom Crab pair
Harlequin Serpent
Tiger Sand Conch

I would like to add:
Barnacle Blenny Hey Rhonda, you are stretching my memory a bit here, but it is my recollection that Barnacle Blennies are the only blenny that tend to be colonial so, assuming you have a barnacle, a second one would do fine
Scooter Blenny
Coral Beauty Remember that dwarf angels are not reef safe, especially for meaty LPS corals

would a FoxFace Lo be alright with these lil guys??
I'm seeing that I like alot of rock/sand dwellers/perchers lol I don't have any free swimmers in the tank besides the Wrasses! (clownfish just hang in the corner of my tank) I really love the foxface.. so I was hoping he would do well....

Should be no problem

Inverts to add:
Yellow Sea Cucumber
Banded Serpent Star
pink/purple pincushion urchin pretty but tend to knock stuff off

Thanks for your input!!! I really appreciate what you do here Steve!!!

-Rhonda

p.s. excuse my sig.. I have to edit it. RC changed our limit of lines and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to change it to fit

I did not know that. Hopefully mine conforms to the the rules

 

[thebkramer]

ok.. great!

Thanks for the quick reply!!

we now have a max of 5 lines
I have to stop procrastinating and get to it!!

Happy Reefing!!!! :bounce3:

 

[ltfw ntsw]

30 gallon biocube
2 clowns
1 6line wrasse
1 yellow watchman goby
1 purple firefish

 

[snorvich]

30 gallon biocube
2 clowns
1 6line wrasse will intimidate the firefish and potentially other fish later on
1 yellow watchman goby
1 purple firefish

 

[reefmandan]

Reef tank purchases

Reef tank purchases

85g w/70lb rock and 2 in sand - 30g sump w/20 lb rock, skimmer
DT stats - 79°, sg 1.026, dKH 9, pH 8.2, 0 nitrites/nitrates/ammonia
DT has CUC and a couple of mushrrooms with some SPS planned for future.
Aquaticlife 4 bulb T5 HO

Tank is in 4th week of cycle and I want to be prepared, so here are my fish choices so far. I also have a 25g QT with 3 damsels - cycled.

1 - Flame Angelfish (Last)
(Centropyge loriculus)

3 - Bartlett's Anthias
(Pseudanthias bartlettorum)

2 - True Percula Clownfish (paired, tank-bred)
(Amphiprion percula)

1 - Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse
(Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis)

3 - Blue Reef Chromis
(Chromis cyaneus)

1 - Yellowtail Reef Basslet
(Liopropoma mitratum)

Thanks for any comments!

 

[snorvich]

85g w/70lb rock and 2 in sand - 30g sump w/20 lb rock, skimmer
DT stats - 79°, sg 1.026, dKH 9, pH 8.2, 0 nitrites/nitrates/ammonia
DT has CUC and a couple of mushrrooms with some SPS planned for future.
Aquaticlife 4 bulb T5 HO

Tank is in 4th week of cycle and I want to be prepared, so here are my fish choices so far. I also have a 25g QT with 3 damsels - cycled.

1 - Flame Angelfish (Last)
(Centropyge loriculus)

3 - Bartlett's Anthias
(Pseudanthias bartlettorum)

2 - True Percula Clownfish (paired, tank-bred)
(Amphiprion percula)

1 - Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse
(Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis)

3 - Blue Reef Chromis I am concerned because chromis have been coming in less than healthy but additionally because chromis tend to widdle down their number until there is one or at most two left. Also, since Chromis occupy the same ecological niche as Anthias, there may be squabbles; remember that chromis are damsels.
(Chromis cyaneus)

1 - Yellowtail Reef Basslet
(Liopropoma mitratum)

Thanks for any comments!

Except as noted, fine.

 

[reefmandan]

Except as noted, fine.

Thanks! I will try and find a replacement for the Chromis.

 

[reefmandan]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Except as noted, fine.

Thanks! I will try and find a replacement for the Chromis.

 

[eric1283]

I am still in the process of a new tank build but here is my question. I will have a 40 gallon display tank it is not a standard 40 its shallower at 18 inches high by 17 inches wide by 36 inches long so a lot of surface area I was wanting to add a 20 gallon refugium so what I wanted to know was I want this to be a predator tank poss. FOWLR but I may add corals later on since the tank is so shallow I wouldn't need as high of a light output to reach the bottom anyway back to the topic in a tank this size would I be able to keep a dwarf fuzzy lionfish and a small angler maybe a wart skin or a sargassum?

 

[snorvich]

I am still in the process of a new tank build but here is my question. I will have a 40 gallon display tank it is not a standard 40 its shallower at 18 inches high by 17 inches wide by 36 inches long so a lot of surface area I was wanting to add a 20 gallon refugium so what I wanted to know was I want this to be a predator tank poss. FOWLR but I may add corals later on since the tank is so shallow I wouldn't need as high of a light output to reach the bottom anyway back to the topic in a tank this size would I be able to keep a dwarf fuzzy lionfish and a small angler maybe a wart skin or a sargassum?

I do no provide advice (generally) on predator or aggressive fish tanks. That being said, I would not keep a dwarf fuzzy lion in that tank. On the other hand, there are some fascinating anglers, especially those that actively hunt, that would be fascinating in that sized tank. Corals would be fine.

 

[ltfw ntsw]

Orange starfish (3" max size)instead of wrasse

 

[makokak]

I very much care about the success of those who ask for advice and also want the fish in our care to live a long and healthy life

i have a 90g 48X20X22, 2inch SB, 90lbs. dry/live rocks. what will be a nice combination of colorful fish and some inverts for a begginers that u can suggest? thanks in advance!

 

[snorvich]

Orange starfish (3" max size)instead of wrasse

It is always best to remind me of the complete stocking list planned (I do thousands of these and I have a terrible memory). The starfish will be fine behaviorally but will probably starve to death.

 

[rognermp]

I have 20g non reef tank with about 10-15lbs of live rock, it's been going for a little over 6months, I currently have 2 damsel and was woundering if there are other fish that I could add with them, one is very aggressive and territorial. I've heard that triggers could work but not sure if its true or if I should bring the damsels back to a store and start a new
(2nd question, is fake coral ok to use my friend said I should never try to use fake coral it can mess up the water)

 

[snorvich]

I have 20g non reef tank with about 10-15lbs of live rock, it's been going for a little over 6months, I currently have 2 damsel and was woundering if there are other fish that I could add with them, one is very aggressive and territorial. I've heard that triggers could work but not sure if its true or if I should bring the damsels back to a store and start a new
(2nd question, is fake coral ok to use my friend said I should never try to use fake coral it can mess up the water)

Damsels are aggressive so if you wish to consider other fish, the damsels will not work. Triggers need a much larger tank.

 

[snorvich]

i have a 90g 48X20X22, 2inch SB, 90lbs. dry/live rocks. what will be a nice combination of colorful fish and some inverts for a begginers that u can suggest? thanks in advance!

As those who follow this thread know, I never provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. I am always willing to provide commentary and analysis for stocking lists however. This thread is only about Marine Fish Compatibility.