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[SouthFla]

Getting ready!

Getting ready!

Greetings Steve from South Florida. I’m getting back into reef tanks after years of raising African Mbunas, and am planning for a “mixed” reef, with a few SPS if my lighting, chemistry and flow allows. My tank/equipment is 95% complete, setup and tested and I’m looking at finalizing everything and starting the cycle next month.

SETUP
· 125g mixed reef 72" x 18" x 23"
· 30g sump & chaeto 'fuge w/Eheim 1262 pump
· NextReef MR1 GAC & GFO reactors
· 100lbs Marco Rock in DT, ~2” deep medium-coarse aragonite sandbed
· Spectrapure 90GPD Chloramine RO/DI
· 320W T5's w/ATI bulbs
· Clear mesh netting tank covers
· 6gal ATO (to include Kalk dosing if/when required)
· BM Curve 5 skimmer
· (2) EcoDrift 8.0 1K-2KGPH power heads
· QT setup = (2) 10G aquariums for TTM & Prazipro follow up

CUC
· (2) Fighting Conch (Strombus alatus)
· (5) Nassaarius Snail (Nassarius sp.)
· (3) Turbo Snail (Turbo fluctuosa)
· (5) Cerith Snail (Cerithium sp.)
· (5) Nerite Snail (Nerita sp.)
· (5) Spiny Star Astrea (Astraea phoebia)

INVERTS
· (2) Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
· ?

FISH (in order of their addition to tank)
· (3) Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora) *I’d like to try a small shoal-have read differing accounts of success
· Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor)
· Saddle Valentini Puffer (Canthigaster valentini)
· (3) Anthias *do you think this would work?
· Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cf cyanopleura)
· Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)
· Kole Yellow Eye Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)

I’m not sure if this is too heavy of a bioload or not, so I appreciate your input. THANK YOU Steve for all of your contributions to this amazing hobby, your posts have been invaluable! Regards,

John

 

[snorvich]

thanks steve

So I get to keep the damsel, If I can add something in the future what kind of fish I should be looking at. My Display's exact dimensions are 3.5' X 2' X 2'

Marine aquariums are bit rare in India and we dont get all types of fishes here. I want to add relatively disease resistant or hardy fishes

Naveen

I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. In your case, I would not even begin to know what would be available.

 

[snorvich]

Greetings Steve from South Florida. I’m getting back into reef tanks after years of raising African Mbunas, and am planning for a “mixed” reef, with a few SPS if my lighting, chemistry and flow allows. My tank/equipment is 95% complete, setup and tested and I’m looking at finalizing everything and starting the cycle next month.

Good morning John.

SETUP
· 125g mixed reef 72" x 18" x 23"
· 30g sump & chaeto 'fuge w/Eheim 1262 pump
· NextReef MR1 GAC & GFO reactors
· 100lbs Marco Rock in DT, ~2” deep medium-coarse aragonite sandbed
· Spectrapure 90GPD Chloramine RO/DI
· 320W T5's w/ATI bulbs
· Clear mesh netting tank covers
· 6gal ATO (to include Kalk dosing if/when required)
· BM Curve 5 skimmer
· (2) EcoDrift 8.0 1K-2KGPH power heads
· QT setup = (2) 10G aquariums for TTM & Prazipro follow up

CUC excellent choices
· (2) Fighting Conch (Strombus alatus)
· (5) Nassaarius Snail (Nassarius sp.)
· (3) Turbo Snail (Turbo fluctuosa)
· (5) Cerith Snail (Cerithium sp.)
· (5) Nerite Snail (Nerita sp.)
· (5) Spiny Star Astrea (Astraea phoebia)

INVERTS
· (2) Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
· ?

FISH (in order of their addition to tank)
· (3) Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora) *I’d like to try a small shoal-have read differing accounts of success you might get lucky and end up with a pair, but normally only one will survive
· Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor)
· Saddle Valentini Puffer (Canthigaster valentini) NOT invert safe
· (3) Anthias *do you think this would work? yes, but need multiple feedings per day
· Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cf cyanopleura)
· Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)
· Kole Yellow Eye Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)

I’m not sure if this is too heavy of a bioload or not, so I appreciate your input.

bioload and behavior is fine except as noted with the firefish

THANK YOU Steve for all of your contributions to this amazing hobby, your posts have been invaluable! Regards,

always a pleasure!

John

 

[JakeK]

I'll be upgrading tanks to 90 gallon very soon. My current fish include the following:
- Helfrichi Firefish
- McCosker Flasher Wrasse
- Sharknose Goby
- Percula Clownfish

I'd like to add one of the following to the 90 gallon once it's up and running, a yellow tang, kole tang or tomini tang. I know 90 gallon is pushing it for a yellow tang, but I have searched the boards here and have read about a lot of long term success with yellows in 90 gallon tanks.

Will the yellow tang be too aggressive for the Helfrichi? I know each fish is unique in its behavior, but as general rule of thumb how aggressive are Yellows towards more skittish fish like firefish?

Would the Kole or Tomini be less aggressive?

Thank you.

 

[snorvich]

I'll be upgrading tanks to 90 gallon very soon. My current fish include the following:
- Helfrichi Firefish
- McCosker Flasher Wrasse
- Sharknose Goby
- Percula Clownfish

I'd like to add one of the following to the 90 gallon once it's up and running, a yellow tang, kole tang or tomini tang. I know 90 gallon is pushing it for a yellow tang, but I have searched the boards here and have read about a lot of long term success with yellows in 90 gallon tanks.

Will the yellow tang be too aggressive for the Helfrichi? I know each fish is unique in its behavior, but as general rule of thumb how aggressive are Yellows towards more skittish fish like firefish?

Would the Kole or Tomini be less aggressive? I would pick one of these two for long term success.

Thank you.

 

[blt4ever]

125 gallon

125 gallon

Hello, currently cycling a new 125 gallon 6' tank. I am using a 55 gallon sump with a mag 12 return, a reef octopus 200 classic skimmer, two koralia 4 power heads, 100 lbs live rock and 100 lbs live sand. I plan to have a few lps and soft corals in the tank, my proposed stocking is as follows:
2 ocellaris clown fish
1-green clown goby
1-yellow clown goby
4 blue reef chromis
1 orchid dottyback
1 red sea sailfin tang
and 1 fox face lo

Any thoughts on this? Will this be too much bio load/enough room for the fish? Thanks in advance

 

[Spacekitty]

I have a Biocube 14 (so ~12 gallon tank) with skimmer and probably more live rock then I should really have.

I currently have an assortment of corals, snails, a cleaner shrimp, and a purple firefish.

I am considering getting a goby/pistol shrimp pair. (either a diamond watchmen or yellow watchmen). Would the goby have an issue with the firefish in such a small tank? And would the pistol shrimp have an issue with my pain in the butt cleaner shrimp? The firefish has his little cave that he sleeps in every night and I worry that the pistol shrimp and goby will decide that is their cave.

 

[snorvich]

Hello, currently cycling a new 125 gallon 6' tank. I am using a 55 gallon sump with a mag 12 return, a reef octopus 200 classic skimmer, two koralia 4 power heads, 100 lbs live rock and 100 lbs live sand. I plan to have a few lps and soft corals in the tank, my proposed stocking is as follows:
2 ocellaris clown fish
1-green clown goby
1-yellow clown goby
4 blue reef chromis will become one over time; highly susceptible to uronema marinum
1 orchid dottyback
1 red sea sailfin tang needs a larger tank
and 1 fox face lo

Any thoughts on this? Will this be too much bio load/enough room for the fish? Thanks in advance

bioload should be fine

 

[snorvich]

I have a Biocube 14 (so ~12 gallon tank) with skimmer and probably more live rock then I should really have.

I currently have an assortment of corals, snails, a cleaner shrimp, and a purple firefish.

I am considering getting a goby/pistol shrimp pair. (either a diamond watchmen or yellow watchmen). Would the goby have an issue with the firefish in such a small tank? And would the pistol shrimp have an issue with my pain in the butt cleaner shrimp? The firefish has his little cave that he sleeps in every night and I worry that the pistol shrimp and goby will decide that is their cave.

Behaviorally, this would work. I cannot predict where the shrimp/goby will reside, however. Should be no issues with the cleaner shrimp.

 

[RGA]

Am I overstocking

Am I overstocking

Am I overstocking ?
I have a tank approx 400 litre tank with 50 litre sump.
It is 48x24x36
I want a mixture of corals, live rock and fish, but an now worried I may be overstocking.

I already have,

Algae Blenny
2 common clownfish
3 Lyretail Anthias
1 Royal Gramma
1 Flame Angelfish

I want to add a Yellow Tang and one spot Fox face.

I guesstimate this will take me to about 48 inches of fish fully grown.

I would also love a couple of royal anthias as well, but not sure, about adding females to my lyretails, or if its just too much anyway.

 

[snorvich]

Am I overstocking ?
I have a tank approx 400 litre tank with 50 litre sump.
It is 48x24x36
I want a mixture of corals, live rock and fish, but an now worried I may be overstocking.

I already have,

Algae Blenny
2 common clownfish
3 Lyretail Anthias
1 Royal Gramma
1 Flame Angelfish

I want to add a Yellow Tang and one spot Fox face.

I guesstimate this will take me to about 48 inches of fish fully grown.

I would also love a couple of royal anthias as well, but not sure, about adding females to my lyretails, or if its just too much anyway.

The foxface would be ok, but definitely not the yellow tang

 

[drauka99]

How's this for a 93 Cube (30"x30"x24"tall) with a 40 breeder sump. 15 gallon refugium, oversized skimmer

2 x Bangai Cardnials
2 x Percula clowns
1 x purple firefish
1 x midas goby
1 x Flameback Angel
1 x Kole Tang
3 - Lyretail Antias (females)
2 x Fire Shrimp
1 x Mandarin Goby

Any recommended deletions, substitutions or cautions are welcomed.

 

[snorvich]

How's this for a 93 Cube (30"x30"x24"tall) with a 40 breeder sump. 15 gallon refugium, oversized skimmer

2 x Bangai Cardnials
2 x Percula clowns
1 x purple firefish
1 x midas goby
1 x Flameback Angel
1 x Kole Tang
3 - Lyretail Antias (females)
2 x Fire Shrimp
1 x Mandarin Goby

That looks fine. Be sure the refugium is at least six months running prior to the mandarin.

Any recommended deletions, substitutions or cautions are welcomed.

 

[drauka99]

thank you, The Mandarin will probably be one of the last added. Any recommendation on stocking order? The Clowns are the only fish in there now with the CUC

 

[snorvich]

thank you, The Mandarin will probably be one of the last added. Any recommendation on stocking order? The Clowns are the only fish in there now with the CUC

Ideally the angel and tang should be introduced concurrently towards the end. The general rule is most passive first, most aggressive last. Those in the same ecological niche should be added concurrently assuming tank size is sufficient for both.

 

[drauka99]

Sounds good, that sort of follows my line of thinking on how I wanted to add everything.

 

[Atlblw10]

Hey Snorvich thanks in advance, restarted a inherited 29 biocube that was beyond help. 20 pounds of Reef Saver, 15 pounds of Pukani and 20 pounds of Caribsea Pink Fiji. Intank Media Basket, Intank Fuge Basket, Aquatic Life Protein Skimmer 115, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200 and 2 Hydor Koralia 425s is what I have added/upgraded. Tank is in it's 7th week of cycling. Don't want all the fish on the list just going off of what the kids have picked since this is their tank.

Proposed Stocking List
Tail Spotted Blenny
Either a Tiger Watchman or Two Spot Goby
Royal Gamma
Either a Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse or a Pink Streaked Wrasse
Sapphire Damsel

Also they want some type of Hawkfish.

Thanks again!

 

[snorvich]

Hey Snorvich thanks in advance, restarted a inherited 29 biocube that was beyond help. 20 pounds of Reef Saver, 15 pounds of Pukani and 20 pounds of Caribsea Pink Fiji. Intank Media Basket, Intank Fuge Basket, Aquatic Life Protein Skimmer 115, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200 and 2 Hydor Koralia 425s is what I have added/upgraded. Tank is in it's 7th week of cycling. Don't want all the fish on the list just going off of what the kids have picked since this is their tank.

Proposed Stocking List
Tail Spotted Blenny fine
Either a Tiger Watchman fine
or Two Spot Goby will never survive
Royal Gamma fine
Either a Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse
or a Pink Streaked Wrasse excellent
Sapphire Damsel avoid; too aggressive in a small tank

Also they want some type of Hawkfish. fine but precludes shrimp

Thanks again!

[welcome]

 

[Atlblw10]

Thanks for the fast response! Out of the Scarlet Pin Stripe or the Pink Streaked Wrasse which one is better than the other or do they both act the same? Also what would the order of introduction?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the fast response! Out of the Scarlet Pin Stripe or the Pink Streaked Wrasse which one is better than the other or do they both act the same? Also what would the order of introduction?

No, the pink streated wrasse is far preferred from a behavioral perspective. Most peaceful first, most aggressive last. However with the recommendations I provided, order would not be an issue