PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[HUNTER1]

The minimum suggested tank size is 50 gallons but that is a minimum rather than an optimum. I assume no other animals, but even then, I would not. However, in general, I prefer not to provide commentary on aggressive fish tanks.

I got you, thanks

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the response.

I guess I could easily read into your response, but just to be sure, so the Clarkii's in a 30g would basically assault any other fish in the entire tank?

I know the 3 types of fish are a bit territorial, so would the hawkfish and dottyback be able to hold their own, or would it bound to be a fight to the death situation? If they are currently juveniles, you have a while, at the very least. First step would be sexual maturation which would result in bonding the male and female. The male, once submitting, and the female, now dominant, will start to consider mating. Once that occurs, the hawkfish should be fine since it is an ambush predator, but any water column fish will be confined to a smallish area. It will not be a fight to the death, it will be constant intimidation, which may cause the dottyback to jump if it can.

Even a good size cleaner shrimp will succumb to a hawkfish, aye? Most likely.

On a side note, tanks been running for a couple months now with the hermits/snails and they have been [so far] compliant amongst each other and no deaths to report.

It takes a while. I stopped doing both many years ago since snails are more effective and I got tired of buying replacments.

The clam does have a larger home it'll go to once the time comes.

 

[fishkid33]

Hello, I have a 55 gallon with a 30 gallon sump and I would really like to add a pair of black clowns with a pair Of occerliases (already have them ,not even and Inch ) and I was wondering if I could do that? Or if they will get along fine or just fight?

Thanks and let me know what you think

 

[snorvich]

Hello, I have a 55 gallon with a 30 gallon sump and I would really like to add a pair of black clowns with a pair Of occerliases (already have them ,not even and Inch ) and I was wondering if I could do that? Or if they will get along fine or just fight?

Thanks and let me know what you think

Four clownfish will become two clownfish. No doubt about it.

 

[doctorvu]

Hi, First let me say thank you for expert advice as many of us love the hobby but need advice. I have 120xh tank cycling with 100lbs live sand and 70 lbs dry rock, reef oct. skimmer in 30 gallon sump and 3 aqua UFO lights. I am starting as fish only but will consider adding corals as tank gets established. My dream tank would have a pair of butterflies (perhaps 4eye) yellow tang, hippo tang, clown/anemone pair, flame angel, and a Juvenile queen angel. I know this list is probably too large for this tank, and I am unsure about hippo and yellow tang compatibility. Could you comment on the compatibility so I can reduce to appropriate level, and add in proper order? Thank you for your time.

 

[dbp214]

90 gallon mixed reef w/ shrimp, zoos, etc.

filtration:
120 lbs live rock
60 lbs live sand
filter sock (200 micron)
Vertex Omega 150 protein skimmer
10 lbs miracle mud refugium with macros
400mL biopellets in a biochurn reactor


desired fish:
pair of clowns
M/F pair of bimaculatus anthias
M/F pair of Watanebei angels
flame wrasse
rhomboid wrasse
mystery wrasse
powder blue tang x1
flame angel x1

Suggestion for a reef safe eel?
I want to keep zoos and shrimp

Any particular order I should introduce these fish?

YOUR HELP IS SO VERY APPRECIATED! you are just what I needed

 

[snorvich]

Hi, First let me say thank you for expert advice as many of us love the hobby but need advice. I have 120xh tank cycling with 100lbs live sand and 70 lbs dry rock, reef oct. skimmer in 30 gallon sump and 3 aqua UFO lights. I am starting as fish only but will consider adding corals as tank gets established. My dream tank would have a pair of butterflies (perhaps 4eye) yellow tang, hippo tang, clown/anemone pair, flame angel, and a Juvenile queen angel. I know this list is probably too large for this tank, and I am unsure about hippo and yellow tang compatibility. Could you comment on the compatibility so I can reduce to appropriate level, and add in proper order? Thank you for your time.

In your sized tank, you can eliminate the queen angel and the P. hepatus tang as they require a substantially larger tank. Most butterfly fish are difficult to pair but some species of butterfly fish will coexist.

 

[snorvich]

90 gallon mixed reef w/ shrimp, zoos, etc.

filtration:
120 lbs live rock
60 lbs live sand
filter sock (200 micron)
Vertex Omega 150 protein skimmer
10 lbs miracle mud refugium with macros
400mL biopellets in a biochurn reactor


desired fish:
pair of clowns species make a difference; if you pick a less aggressive species it will be a whole lot better
M/F pair of bimaculatus anthias
M/F pair of Watanebei angels requires a larger tank and you need to know that male G. Watanabei are very, very difficult shippers
flame wrasse Males are difficult shippers
rhomboid wrasse
mystery wrasse
powder blue tang x1
flame angel x1

Suggestion for a reef safe eel? I do not provide commentary on aggressive fish tanks. There is a dwarf eel that is sort of reef safe.
I want to keep zoos and shrimp

Any particular order I should introduce these fish?

Lease aggressive first, most aggressive last.

YOUR HELP IS SO VERY APPRECIATED! you are just what I needed

 

[frankDtank]

1st add to 90g

1st add to 90g

I am planning, like prob most others, to add 2 clownfish as my first life stock to the tank. I have a 90g setup with sump, SCA 302 skimmer, little giant ext return pump. inside the tank is live sand, reef saver rock and temp runs between 82-83. I've heard these were good starter fish??? is this true?

 

[elukelangley]

55gal viewing tank, 20gal sump w/ skimmer, live rock in tank, live rock and macro algae in sump/ potentially another 20 gal tank set aside on same water cycle. Non of which is completed, but thats the plan.

After setting all this stuff up and getting it all balanced and all that jazz.

starting out with some peppermint shrimp and snails and a cucumber (in sump refuge).

then a pom pom crab or two

followed by 3-4 Ocellaris clowns

2 bicolor dottybacks

2 yellowtail damsel fish

eventually a yellow and a blue tang

and some soft corals...(these will be in and established well before fish)

can i support? any species problems? two many clowns?

suggestions?, questions?, cash donations?

 

[snorvich]

I am planning, like prob most others, to add 2 clownfish as my first life stock to the tank. I have a 90g setup with sump, SCA 302 skimmer, little giant ext return pump. inside the tank is live sand, reef saver rock and temp runs between 82-83. I've heard these were good starter fish??? is this true?

Hopefully, you are not planning to cycle the tank with clownfish? Also, the species of clownfish makes a difference for long term behavioral compatibility. In general, assuming a cycled tank, you should plan your entire stocking plan rather than go with "starter fish".

 

[snorvich]

55gal viewing tank, 20gal sump w/ skimmer, live rock in tank, live rock and macro algae in sump/ potentially another 20 gal tank set aside on same water cycle. Non of which is completed, but thats the plan.

After setting all this stuff up and getting it all balanced and all that jazz.

starting out with some peppermint shrimp and snails and a cucumber (in sump refuge).

then a pom pom crab or two

followed by 3-4 Ocellaris clowns Four clowns will become two clowns. Only two juvenile non sexually differentiated clownfish can be in a tank

2 bicolor dottybacks No. With marine fish, normally only one of a species. However this species is very aggressive and will preclude other tank mates

2 yellowtail damsel fish No. With marine fish, normally only one of a species. However this species is very aggressive and will preclude other tank mates

eventually a yellow and a blue tang No. these require larger or much larger tanks

and some soft corals...(these will be in and established well before fish)

can i support? any species problems? two many clowns?

suggestions?, questions?, cash donations?

I suggest you do a whole lot of research and then come back with a stocking plan

 

[Jrod4]

Should be fine but the dwarf angel is a bit difficult

Would a flame angel work better than the Bicolor?

 

[snorvich]

Would a flame angel work better than the Bicolor?

Absolutely.

 

[Jrod4]

Thanks for your help and thanks for being kind enough to run this thread.

 

[DL Lawrence]

Hello, newbie here. Researching possible inhabitants.

Hello, newbie here. Researching possible inhabitants.

Hi all-

I am working on my first SW setup, after a few years in FW. I've been reading up and lurking here for a while now. Finally decided to step into the reef arena. If I can successfully setup and run a nano reef tank (learning all I can in the process), the plan is to eventually break down one of my large FW tanks and the nano, and begin a bigger reef build. Based on time/money/space considerations, it may just end up being just one large reef tank in the house.

I have setup a 20 gallon tall, with a 8 gallon sump. I have a 300 gph return pump, and a HOB overflow. Heater is in the sump, and I have a 500 GPH Hydor 1200 powerhead moving water in the tank in addition to the return nozzle. The tank has a 24" T5HO light with a 12.5K white, and actinic bulbs. I'll soon be adding a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer to the sump. The tank was built with 16 lbs of live sand, 20 lbs of dry rock, and 5 lbs of live rock in it. Everything seems to be flowing smoothly. It's been up and going for one week. Pics to follow shortly. While small, it's a pretty neat looking setup. The cabinet was custom built for the sump, and a larger cube tank.

So far, I have the following numbers-

Temp 81
Salinity 1.025
Ph 8.5
Am 0
NO2 0
NO3 0

Today I picked up a test kit for Kh, and will be testing that tonight. I'm going to see if I can find some pure ammonia for cycling, although I'm not in a hurry to cycle the tank. Going very slowly and carefullyl! I plan on picking up a phosphate test kit soon. I've marked the sump, and will be topping off with RO/DI water from the local SWFS.

When the tank is cycled, I'd like to begin this venture with small, easy to keep fish. I'd like to be understocked if anything. Some turbo snails and hermit crabs for the cleanup crew, I guess. Eventually I'll try some softies, and some SPS corals. That's the plan, anyway. It's certainly subject to change as I continue the learning process.

What would your recommendations be for fish to begin this tank with? I have seen some small clowns, purple yellow tailed damsels, and green chromis ( I think those names are right) that are reasonably priced and small. I'm thinking two clowns, two of those small purple damsels with yellow tails, a chromis, and maybe a blennie. I want to keep a manageable bioload on the tank as the fish grow.

I'd prefer to have all captive bred fish, if possible. I did see a coral banded shrimp the other day that was very cool looking. Would one of those be a candidate for this tank? I'd like everyone to be getting along in there.

Thanks in advance for all constructive comments. observations and suggestions.

 

[Nevil]

Hello,

I have a 28 Gal nano I am setting up and was wondering if these fish would be compatible. I plan on having mushrooms and LPS for coral. For fish I was thinking:

Purple Firefish
Goby / Pistol Shrimp pair
Orchid or Purple Dottyback
Smaller Wrasse - any recomedations?

Please let me know what you think and make suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

Hi all-

I am working on my first SW setup, after a few years in FW. I've been reading up and lurking here for a while now. Finally decided to step into the reef arena. If I can successfully setup and run a nano reef tank (learning all I can in the process), the plan is to eventually break down one of my large FW tanks and the nano, and begin a bigger reef build. Based on time/money/space considerations, it may just end up being just one large reef tank in the house.

I have setup a 20 gallon tall, with a 8 gallon sump. I have a 300 gph return pump, and a HOB overflow. Heater is in the sump, and I have a 500 GPH Hydor 1200 powerhead moving water in the tank in addition to the return nozzle. The tank has a 24" T5HO light with a 12.5K white, and actinic bulbs. I'll soon be adding a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer to the sump. The tank was built with 16 lbs of live sand, 20 lbs of dry rock, and 5 lbs of live rock in it. Everything seems to be flowing smoothly. It's been up and going for one week. Pics to follow shortly. While small, it's a pretty neat looking setup. The cabinet was custom built for the sump, and a larger cube tank.

So far, I have the following numbers-

Temp 81
Salinity 1.025
Ph 8.5
Am 0
NO2 0
NO3 0

Today I picked up a test kit for Kh, and will be testing that tonight. I'm going to see if I can find some pure ammonia for cycling, although I'm not in a hurry to cycle the tank. Going very slowly and carefullyl! I plan on picking up a phosphate test kit soon. I've marked the sump, and will be topping off with RO/DI water from the local SWFS.

When the tank is cycled, I'd like to begin this venture with small, easy to keep fish. I'd like to be understocked if anything. Some turbo snails and hermit crabs for the cleanup crew, I guess. Eventually I'll try some softies, and some SPS corals. That's the plan, anyway. It's certainly subject to change as I continue the learning process.

What would your recommendations be for fish to begin this tank with? I have seen some small clowns, purple yellow tailed damsels, and green chromis ( I think those names are right) that are reasonably priced and small. I'm thinking two clowns, two of those small purple damsels with yellow tails, a chromis, and maybe a blennie. I want to keep a manageable bioload on the tank as the fish grow.

I'd prefer to have all captive bred fish, if possible. I did see a coral banded shrimp the other day that was very cool looking. Would one of those be a candidate for this tank? I'd like everyone to be getting along in there.

Thanks in advance for all constructive comments. observations and suggestions.

In a 20 gallon tank, you can keep a pair of clowns or (but not both) 3 small fish.

 

[snorvich]

Hello,

I have a 28 Gal nano I am setting up and was wondering if these fish would be compatible. I plan on having mushrooms and LPS for coral. For fish I was thinking:

Purple Firefish add first
Goby / Pistol Shrimp pair
Orchid or Purple Dottyback Both are aggressive, P. fridmani is the less aggressive of the two and I would do neither if you want a firefish
Smaller Wrasse - any recomedations? One of the possum wrasses would work, your tank is not large enough for a fairy or flasher wrasse

Please let me know what you think and make suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Punkrawk]

30 gallon JBJ

30 gallon JBJ

This is a total list of all fish I would consider for my 30 gallon tank.

2 x Ocellaris Clownfish, Tank Bred (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 x Yellow Prawn Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
1 x Bicolor Dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae)
1 x Cardinalfish (Apongonidae)
1 x Azure Damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea)
1 x Cleaner shrimp (undecided)

The tank has already been cycled and the CUC is in place. The Ocellaris Clownfish would be first. The rest added appropriately.

Do you see any compatability issues? I am leaning towards 5 fish and one shrimp. Thanks.