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[SpartaReef]

new purchase coming up...

new purchase coming up...

Current tank info:
55g tall (see build thread)

29g sump that's half filled
Skimmer
1400gph power head
Jebao wp25
Lots of liverock and some sand

Bioload:
Tomini tang
Helfrichi firefish
Two occelaris clownfish (always spell that wrong)
Blue/green chromis
Diamond head goby
Green mandarin
Leopard wrasse
~15 red and blue legged hermits
Blood red fire shrimp
2 sexy shrimp
2 green emerald crabs (suspect dead)
Cocoworm
A few snails
A few corals
Micro-brittle starfish
Abundance of pods
Micro-feather dusters

Thinking of adding:
Flame angel (had one before we got the tang, the tang replaced it)
Diamond goby (to pair up)
Fire shrimp (to pair up)
Clam
More corals

Just want to hear comments to help decide on what combination to go with if not all of them...

 

[snorvich]

So I dont plan on adding anymore fish I just wanted to get your thoughts on my current stock list.

60g Cube
45ishlbs LR
2-3" sand bed
Coralife skimmer
20 Gallon Sump/ Refugium

Stocking List in order I added:
1 Yellow "Coris" Wrasse
2 Occelaris Clowns
1 Blue Spotted Watchman Goby / Pistol pair
1 Coral Beauty
1 6 line Wrasse

I have had no aggression issues with any of the fish. The Goby is very timid and is scared of the Coral Beauty but i have never seen her attack or harass at all. The Goby just darts back into his hole and then comes back out a minute or so later.

Thanks for your help.

should be fine with the sixline wrasse potentially a behavior problem but not with current stock

 

[snorvich]

After a month of cycling with ammonium chloride and Elos bacteria complex, my tank seems to metabolize ammonia and nitrate quickly enough that I feel comfortable to slowly begin adding livestock. I want to put something in the tank this weekend, and I'm unsure where to start.

There are no signs of algae, diatom, or bacterial blooms... yet. I plan on keeping mostly LPS corals (Scoly, Lobo, Acan, Favia, Hammer, Torch) with some SPS that are easier to care for (perhaps Montipora) but until the tank is a bit more established, I want to start with the fish and inverts if that makes better sense.

The tank is an Elos System 70, with 50 lbs. Real Reef and 40 lbs. CaribSea Arag-Alive. For what it's worth, Elos claims it's a 55 gallon tank, but that's only when measuring the outer dimensions of the glass. Based on the tank's inside dimensions, it's closer to 45 gallons.

(2) Ocellaris Clowns
(3) Blue/Green Chromis will become one over time
(1) Yellow Watchman Goby
(1) Royal Gramma "“or"“ (1) Bicolor Dottyback (I understand the Dotty may not play as nice as the Gramma) the dottyback will NOT play nicely
(1) Barlett's Anthias (is the tank large enough?) tank really needs to be larger
(1) Swissguard Basslet (perhaps, but that's kind of pricey for a tiny fish)

(2) Peppermint Shrimp
(2) Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
(1) Pistol Shrimp to hopefully form a relationship with the Goby
I would also like snails in the tank, but at the moment, there doesn't seem to be anything for them to clean. When can I add them?

Thanks a million in advance Snorvich, this is a great thread!

 

[snorvich]

hello everyone!

I am thinking of putting in two ocellaris clowns,
a fairy wrasse, needs a larger tank
a six line wrasse, aggressive
a cleaner shrimp, and
prawn goby, and a
purple firefish goby in my tank introduce early, but the sixline may intimidate him/her.

I currently have a 40 breeder with a 50 gallon filter with bio wheel, and a hang on back refugium i made out of an old 30 gallon filter i had laying around. it has Chaeto and bio balls. I have about 35 to 40 lbs of LR, and planning on getting some Dry rock that my LR can seed.

fish wise i currently have a fire goby, if you put in a second firefish, you will end up with one
a lawnmower blenny, two chromies, will become one and a dalmation molly. and for coral, i dont have a strong enough light to grow anything major so i only have a small frag of yellow button polyps and two ricordia mushrooms (about to be three, it looks like one is splitting off.

actually a bit much for a 40 gallon tank

 

[snorvich]

First I want to say thanks for everyone who helps with this topic. As a newbie this really helps. Glad to help but this thread is only answered by Reef Central Staff

I'm a newbie and this is my first Saltwater tank. My plans initially is to do fish and some coral. So as with all newbies any help is very much appreciated.

What I have:
60gal Cube
60 lbs LR
3" sand bed
Aqua C Remora pro skimmer
20 Gallon Sump
Kessil A360W for lighting

Fish wanting:
Clean up crew:
25ish hermit crabs
1 Goby Diamond
1-2 Skunk Shrimp
1 - crocodile fish not suitable and not available
1- Blenny lawmover or bi-color

Fish:
2 - Snowflake Clownfish
1 - Parrotfish - bi color needs a much larger tank
1 - Sweetlips Dogface needs a larger tank
1 - Porcupine fish needs a much larger tank

Thanks for your help.

It would be desirable for you to read more as your desired fish are in no way compatible with the environment you are providing.

 

[snorvich]

Current tank info:
55g tall (see build thread)

29g sump that's half filled
Skimmer
1400gph power head
Jebao wp25
Lots of liverock and some sand

Bioload:
Tomini tang needs a larger tank
Helfrichi firefish
Two occelaris clownfish (always spell that wrong)
Blue/green chromis
Diamond head goby
Green mandarin needs a larger tank and not compatible with a leopard wrasse
Leopard wrasse needs a larger tank and not compatible with a mandarin
~15 red and blue legged hermits
Blood red fire shrimp
2 sexy shrimp
2 green emerald crabs (suspect dead)
Cocoworm
A few snails
A few corals
Micro-brittle starfish
Abundance of pods
Micro-feather dusters

Thinking of adding:
Flame angel (had one before we got the tang, the tang replaced it) needs a larger tank
Diamond goby (to pair up) It won't pair up, one will survive
Fire shrimp (to pair up) may or may not work
Clam
More corals

Just want to hear comments to help decide on what combination to go with if not all of them...

If you want general comments, try the Reef Fish thread. This thread is an expert thread only answered by Reef Central Staff.

 

[DolphinzFan]

It would be desirable for you to read more as your desired fish are in no way compatible with the environment you are providing.

Thanks. That's what I'm trying to do. I don't plan on putting fish for another 2-3 months.

Any suggestions?

Angel fish?, Huma Huma Trigger, or is there a small Tang?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks. That's what I'm trying to do. I don't plan on putting fish for another 2-3 months.

Any suggestions?

A very good way to start is to go through the Live Aquaria Marine Fish website and read all of the descriptions and recommended tank sizes. For the most part those are pretty good despite the factd that they sell fish.

Angel fish?, Huma Huma Trigger, or is there a small Tang?

Read first. Fish size is not necessarily the only issue, it is behavior, territorial imperative, and which ecological niche they reside within.

 

[SpartaReef]

If you want general comments, try the Reef Fish thread. This thread is an expert thread only answered by Reef Central Staff.

I know. Wanted expert opinion.... Some info on current list though...

The wrasse and the Mandarin have been pals since I got them.... I've got more than enough pods.... They've both been in the tank for several months now, both are fat and healthy. Not sure other than competing for food where the conflict would be.

I was told that the diamond gobies would be able to bond, why not? Would like to hear from the expert

 

[snorvich]

I know. Wanted expert opinion.... Some info on current list though...

comments were provided

The wrasse and the Mandarin have been pals since I got them.... I've got more than enough pods.... They've both been in the tank for several months now, both are fat and healthy. Not sure other than competing for food where the conflict would be.

I was told that the diamond gobies would be able to bond, why not? Well basically, fish that inhabit the same ecological niche won't like each other unless they start out as juveniles and sexually mature into a male and female. Would like to hear from the expert

Well, since both fish eat constantly, you probably do not have enough copepods for long term survival. And unless you can count them, you don't really know. The test for "enough" would be a numerical survey for a month showing a increase, or at least a static number. Success for either fish is considered a year. Both should eat frozen (mysis), but due to their metabolism, eat constantly. Eventually the leopard wrasse will decide that having competition is undesirable, and kill or intimidate the mandarin.

 

[SpartaReef]

I'll keep an eye on them then. Thnx.

When I started the tank I stocked over 8k pods before adding those fish.... Some of the pods are an inch long now. And every month I see countless babies

 

[snorvich]

I'll keep an eye on them then. Thnx.

When I started the tank I stocked over 8k pods before adding those fish.... Some of the pods are an inch long now. And every month I see countless babies

Copepods are typically 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 in) long, with a teardrop-shaped body and large antennae. I don't know what you are growing, but it isn't copepods.

 

[SpartaReef]

Oh amphipods.... The wrasse eats oysters and other frozen also. Pellets too.

The mandarin is also well fed and always eating stuff off the rocks.

 

[snorvich]

Oh amphipods.... The wrasse eats oysters and other frozen also. Pellets too.

The mandarin is also well fed and always eating stuff off the rocks.

Well, good luck.

 

[RB_PWR]

I have a 75 gallon with a 55 gallon sump/refugium. Alot of Negative space in my tank. Fish can swim the front half of the tank uninterrupted and rock work in the back with plenty of hiding places.

I have one occelaris clownfish, the other died so Im going to add another to make it a pair again

I have one yellow tail damsel

Purple tang (I understand a larger tank is desirable), larger tank is hopefully on the horizon before the tang reaches a size that would make him uncomfortable in my current set up.


From here I only plan to potentially add (over time):

-On the fense with a sand sifting Goby (heard they will essentially clear out the live sand and no long be live?)
-Flame hawk fish
-Black cap Basslet
-Dispar anthias
-a jawfish of some sorts
-mandarin
-cleaner wrasse
-cleaner crew/shrimp/snails etc

Then heavy on Corals.

 

[snorvich]

I have a 75 gallon with a 55 gallon sump.

I have one occelaris clownfish, the other died so Im going to add another to make it a pair again

I have one yellow tail damsel

Purple tang (I understand a larger tank is desirable) requires a larger tank; will limit additions


From here I only plan to potentially add (over time):

-On the fense with a sand sifting Goby (heard they will essentially clear out the live sand and no long be live?) sand sifting fish don't really clean the sand; depending on species can also be a problem with corals as they create sand storms
-Flame hawk fish not shrimp safe
-Black Basslet
-Dispar anthias
-a jawfish of some sorts depends on species
-dragonette after tank is 9 months mature

Then heavy on Corals.

 

[twistedfinn967]

Hello,
I have a standard 75g with a 20g long sump. So far I have a pair of black and white occelaris clownfish. I have a cuc consisting of snails and hermits. Also have a frogspawn and some zoa's. Looking for reef/coral safe. Ultimately want a mandarin dragonette after the tank matures. Am considering one (possibly more?) of the following for my next addition:

Bi-color Dottyback
Orchid Dottyback
Royal Gramma
Azure Damsel
Yellowtail Damsel

Thanks for your help!

 

[snorvich]

Hello,
I have a standard 75g with a 20g long sump. So far I have a pair of black and white occelaris clownfish. I have a cuc consisting of snails and hermits. Also have a frogspawn and some zoa's. Looking for reef/coral safe. Ultimately want a mandarin dragonette after the tank matures. Am considering one (possibly more?) of the following for my next addition:

Bi-color Dottyback
Orchid Dottyback
Royal Gramma excellent
Azure Damsel
Yellowtail Damsel

Any of these except the G. loretto will be behavior problems and limit tank mates going forward

Thanks for your help!

 

[Senn]

Tank is 180 gal. mixed reef, 125 gal sump/refugium, CuC is snails and more snails. Don't plan on adding any shrimp/s now or in the near future.

1 species:
White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda) or
Squaretail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus truncatus) or
Bristletooth Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
Pair:
Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus) or
Watanabei Angelfish (Genicanthus watanabei)
1 male/4-7 females:
Bartlett's Anthias (Pseudanthias bartlettorum) or
Sunset Anthias (Pseudanthias parvirostris)
1ea.
Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas)
Pair:
Flame Hawkish (Neocirrhitus armatus)
1ea.
Hoeven's Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)
Pair:
Onyx Clownfish - Tank-Bred (Amphiprion percula var.)
1ea.
Springeri Dottyback - (Pseudochromis springerii) or
Macneill's Blue Assessor (Assessor macneilli)

Thanks for the time

 

[snorvich]

Tank is 180 gal. mixed reef, 125 gal sump/refugium, CuC is snails and more snails. Don't plan on adding any shrimp/s now or in the near future.

1 species:
White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda) or
Squaretail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus truncatus) or
Bristletooth Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)

All three have similar behavioral patterns;

Pair:
Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus) or
Watanabei Angelfish (Genicanthus watanabei)

Male Genicanthus are difficult shippers; Watanabei, especially rarely have the males survive. It can be done, I did it for a while (Bellus) but long term the males seem to waste away. MUST be concurrently introduced


1 male/4-7 females:
Bartlett's Anthias (Pseudanthias bartlettorum) or
Sunset Anthias (Pseudanthias parvirostris) Bartlett's often have the females become males; anthias do best if fed multiple times per day
1ea.
Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas) tend to nip planktivores so avoid dartfish/firefish and remember these are carnivores rather than herbivores
Pair:
Flame Hawkish (Neocirrhitus armatus) superb fish but avoid shrimp
1ea.
Hoeven's Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)
Pair:
Onyx Clownfish - Tank-Bred (Amphiprion percula var.)
1ea.
Springeri Dottyback - (Pseudochromis springerii) or
Macneill's Blue Assessor (Assessor macneilli) dottybacks tend to be aggressive; I love the assessors either blue or gold

Thanks for the time