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[snorvich]

Ok, so I've been doing this for >10 years and starting a 3rd set-up, but it's been some time so I thought I would see about getting some input.

Well I have been doing it for about 30 years and diving for about that long

System:
72 gallon bowfront with 80lbs of live rock.
Protein skimmer in sump.

Current stock:
2 black Clarkii (paired) this species is almost the most aggressive (GSM are more) clownfish once paired and will want to control about 40-60 gallons of tank space
Candy Apply Zoos angelfish love zoanthids

Planned purchases:
RBTA

Considering:
Kole Tang In this sized tank, it is the kole tang or one of the dwarf angels as there is insufficient algae generated for more than one grazer
3 Green Chromis will become one over time since the most aggressive one will knock off the rest
2 Purple Firefish unless a bonded pair, one will become two
1 Flame Angel or Coral Beauty (last addition in about 1 year)

Now, I know the angels will nip at some corals, and this is where I have to make some decisions because I would like a clam. If you have multiple grazers a clam may be at risk because of the embedded zooxanthellae

In terms of corals themselves, I will make due with whatever the angels will leave alone. "toxic" LPS may be fine, meaty LPS not so much

Thoughts? Ideas? Criticisms?

 

[Castaign]

Hi Snorvich,

I hope that this is sufficiently on topic. If not, let me know and I'll ask elsewhere.

My 150 gallon just sprung a leak, and I've had to move all my livestock to different holding tanks. My total livestock list is as follows:

1 x Scopas Tang
1 x MacNeil's Assessor
1 x McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
2 x Pearly Jawfish
1 x Aiptasia Eating Filefish
1 x Leopard Toby
1 x Green Mandarin (juvenile)
2 x Yellow Clown Goby
1 x Green Clown Goby
1 x Stippled Clingfish
1 x Wheeler's Shrimp Goby (with yellow pistol shrimp)
1 x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2 x Green Bubble Tip Anemone
Assorted SPS, LPS and soft corals

My available holding tanks are as follows:

15 gallon (12x12x24) (bare bottom)
20 gallon long (12x12x30) (fully cycled, 2 inches of sand on bottom, live rock)
36 gallon bow front (kindly loaned to me by my LFS who have been absolutely wonderful through this ordeal) (bare bottom)
8 gallon Nuvo nano (12x12x12) (fully cycled, 1.5 inches of sand on bottom, live rock)

It looks like it will be a week before my new tank arrives, plus set up and cycling time (I've managed to preserve all my live rock in various tubs with powerheads and heaters, but I still expect a cycle). So, I'm looking at probably 2-8 weeks of holding time for my livestock.

Here is how I currently have everything divided:

15 Gallon:
1 x Yellow Clown Goby
1 x Stippled Clingfish
Mostly SPS with some LPS

20 Gallon Long:
1 x Yellow Clown Goby
2 x Pearly Jawfish
1 x Wheeler's Shrimp Goby and Pistol Shrimp
1 x Green Mandarin
Mostly softies, including quite a bit of frogspawn and GPS

36 Gallon Bowfront:
1 x Scopas Tang
1 x MacNeil's Assessor
1 x McCosker's Flasher
1 x Green Clown Goby
1 x Leopard Toby
1 x Aiptasia Eating Filefish
2 x Green Bubble Tip Anemone
Mostly SPS (Montis, Undata, Scroll)

I've tried to divvy up the CuC between the three tanks, and I haven't put any fish in the 8 gallon nano. Do you have any suggestions or insight into this set up? Obviously this is very far from ideal, and most of these fish are in tanks that are too small, but as a short term solution, is this acceptable? Any major errors in distribution?

If necessary, I can temporarily rehome some of the fish at my LFS, but I'd really rather not (since then I'll need to re-quarantine).

Any advice at all is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[snorvich]

Hi Snorvich,

I hope that this is sufficiently on topic. If not, let me know and I'll ask elsewhere.

My 150 gallon just sprung a leak, and I've had to move all my livestock to different holding tanks. My total livestock list is as follows:

1 x Scopas Tang
1 x MacNeil's Assessor
1 x McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
2 x Pearly Jawfish
1 x Aiptasia Eating Filefish
1 x Leopard Toby
1 x Green Mandarin (juvenile)
2 x Yellow Clown Goby
1 x Green Clown Goby
1 x Stippled Clingfish
1 x Wheeler's Shrimp Goby (with yellow pistol shrimp)
1 x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2 x Green Bubble Tip Anemone
Assorted SPS, LPS and soft corals

My available holding tanks are as follows:

15 gallon (12x12x24) (bare bottom)
20 gallon long (12x12x30) (fully cycled, 2 inches of sand on bottom, live rock)
36 gallon bow front (kindly loaned to me by my LFS who have been absolutely wonderful through this ordeal) (bare bottom)
8 gallon Nuvo nano (12x12x12) (fully cycled, 1.5 inches of sand on bottom, live rock)

It looks like it will be a week before my new tank arrives, plus set up and cycling time (I've managed to preserve all my live rock in various tubs with powerheads and heaters, but I still expect a cycle). So, I'm looking at probably 2-8 weeks of holding time for my livestock.

Here is how I currently have everything divided:

15 Gallon:
1 x Yellow Clown Goby
1 x Stippled Clingfish
Mostly SPS with some LPS

20 Gallon Long:
1 x Yellow Clown Goby
2 x Pearly Jawfish
1 x Wheeler's Shrimp Goby and Pistol Shrimp
1 x Green Mandarin
Mostly softies, including quite a bit of frogspawn and GPS

36 Gallon Bowfront:
1 x Scopas Tang
1 x MacNeil's Assessor
1 x McCosker's Flasher
1 x Green Clown Goby
1 x Leopard Toby
1 x Aiptasia Eating Filefish
2 x Green Bubble Tip Anemone
Mostly SPS (Montis, Undata, Scroll)

I've tried to divvy up the CuC between the three tanks, and I haven't put any fish in the 8 gallon nano. Do you have any suggestions or insight into this set up? Obviously this is very far from ideal, and most of these fish are in tanks that are too small, but as a short term solution, is this acceptable? Any major errors in distribution?

If necessary, I can temporarily rehome some of the fish at my LFS, but I'd really rather not (since then I'll need to re-quarantine).

Any advice at all is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Obviously, far from ideal. However this thread is really about long term marine fish compatibility so my expertise does not really fit temporary rehoming. If it were me, I would get some vats from farm supply or similar source and use prime and water changes to maintain the fish and associated. I am not a proponent of LFS water systems.

 

[devakalpa]

Thank you snorvich for the detailed reply.

so the Scott's Fairy is out. Can I do a McCosker's OR a Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse male instead? Do I have space for a IM + 3F kind of harem?

Is A Tailspot Blenny instead of the Pajama Cardinal a better choice for more day time visibility, interesting behavior and its algae eating benefits?

I plan to have small and interesting life in my tank, well balanced over the eco-regions available. I know you do not recommend for very valid reasons, but may I request you to at least nudge me towards a reef safer option for the Angel in my list? Bristletooth Tomini OR One Spot Foxface?

I would have loved a Hawk Fish but for the inverts

Thanks again.

 

[snorvich]

Thank you snorvich for the detailed reply.

so the Scott's Fairy is out. Can I do a McCosker's OR a Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse male instead? Do I have space for a IM + 3F kind of harem?

Is A Tailspot Blenny instead of the Pajama Cardinal a better choice for more day time visibility, interesting behavior and its algae eating benefits?

I plan to have small and interesting life in my tank, well balanced over the eco-regions available. I know you do not recommend for very valid reasons, but may I request you to at least nudge me towards a reef safer option for the Angel in my list? Bristletooth Tomini OR One Spot Foxface?

I would have loved a Hawk Fish but for the inverts

Thanks again.

Please refresh my memory with total planned stocking list and tank size. I do far too many of these to remember what any person is planning. Thanks.

 

[tylr9m482]

Hello,

I have a 40B mixed reef with 20L sump, about 40lbs live rock and 50lbs live sand with refuge in sump.

The tank has been up about 3 months.

I currently have:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 yellow headed jawfish
1 yellowtail blue damsel
1 fire shrimp
CUC (snails, hermits, 2 emerald crabs)

Looking to add:
1 Flame Angel
1 purple dottyback
1 yellow eye kole tang
1 Mandarin Drogonette (once copepods in my refuge reach sustainable pop.)
1 Fire shrimp (second to make a pair)

 

[snorvich]

Hello,

I have a 40B mixed reef with 20L sump, about 40lbs live rock and 50lbs live sand with refuge in sump.

The tank has been up about 3 months.

I currently have:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 yellow headed jawfish
1 yellowtail blue damsel may limit additions
1 fire shrimp
CUC (snails, hermits, 2 emerald crabs)

Looking to add:
1 Flame Angel needs a larger tank
1 purple dottyback aggressive, especially in a small tank
1 yellow eye kole tang needs a larger tank
1 Mandarin Drogonette (once copepods in my refuge reach sustainable pop.) needs a larger tank
1 Fire shrimp (second to make a pair)

 

[hkgar]

Blue Carribean Tang

Blue Carribean Tang

Current inhabitants in a 180
Yellow Tang, PBT, Kole Tang, Spot Breast Angel, Flame Angel, Yellow Pyramid Butterfly, Midas Blenny, Bluehead Wrasse, Cardinal Dottyback, Purple Dottyback, Bicolor Dotyback, Lyretail Anthias (male).

Would like another tag and am considering the Blue Carribean.

 

[snorvich]

Current inhabitants in a 180
Yellow Tang, PBT, Kole Tang, Spot Breast Angel, Flame Angel, Yellow Pyramid Butterfly, Midas Blenny, Bluehead Wrasse, Cardinal Dottyback, Purple Dottyback, Bicolor Dotyback, Lyretail Anthias (male).

Would like another tag and am considering the Blue Carribean.

an established yellow is not going to be pleased with any conspecific added to the tank.

 

[hkgar]

an established yellow is not going to be pleased with any conspecific added to the tank.

A little history of the Yellow. I have had him for about two (maybe more) years and he transferred over from a 90 to the 180. All other fish have been added since then and he (maybe a she) has never been aggressive to any added fish. He just seems very docile. The Kole was added in August and the PBT in September and the Yellow had been in this tank since January last year (2013)

 

[snorvich]

A little history of the Yellow. I have had him for about two (maybe more) years and he transferred over from a 90 to the 180. All other fish have been added since then and he (maybe a she) has never been aggressive to any added fish. He just seems very docile. The Kole was added in August and the PBT in September and the Yellow had been in this tank since January last year (2013)

I can not say for sure but zebrasoma tangs are very territorial as they mature and establish themselves. I would not add additional tangs in a six foot tank.

 

[twistedfinn967]

Hello,
I have a standard 75g with a 20g long sump. So far I have a pair of black and white occelaris clownfish and (1) Flame Hawkfish. 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. I would like to make the following my next addition:
Dispar Anthias (1,2 or 3?) Any special considerations with these?


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 and (1) Flame Hawkfish. 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. I would like to make the following my next addition:
Dispar Anthias (1,2 or 3?) Any special considerations with these?
A single anthias would do fine; multiple anthias due to their social interaction would do better in a larger (longer) tank. Note that anthias do best if fed multiple times per day.

Thanks for your help

 

[devakalpa]

thanks and apologies. I shall resend.

 

[devakalpa]

Thanks snorvich. Redone list:

Quick specs:
78 g DT planned as mixed reef. 40 kg LR. 29 g sump+refugium with DSB, LR rubble and chaeto. 2" sugar sand, extra depth at places for Jawfish. Zonal aquascaping. Reef Octopus skimmer. Non egg crate cover. 15X circulation. going ahead zoas, mushrooms, euphyllids, softies. Lights not finalized yet.

Nassarius and Turbo snails.
Skunk Cleaner shrimps - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - 1
Feather Duster worm - 1
Deresa Clam - 1
RBTA - 1 (after 1 year, if conditions are stable)

Red Firefish - 1
Ocellaris Clown tank bred - 1 OR pair
Yellowhead Jawfish - 1
Yellow watchman Goby + Alpheus Shrimp - 1 each
Court Jester Goby OR Hector's Goby - 1 (any other goby group that will be better suited with a Mandarin?)
Tailspot Blenny - 1
Purple Dottyback - 1
Black Axil Chromis - 1
Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse OR White Banded Possum Wrasse - 1
McCosker's OR Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - 1 male (Is there room for a 1M+3F group?)
Red Mandarin Dragonet - 1 (after 1 year, must have)
1 Spot Foxface OR Tomini Tang - 1

Thank you for your time.
Dev

 

[snorvich]

Thanks snorvich. Redone list:

Quick specs:
78 g DT planned as mixed reef. 40 kg LR. 29 g sump+refugium with DSB, LR rubble and chaeto. 2" sugar sand, extra depth at places for Jawfish. Zonal aquascaping. Reef Octopus skimmer. Non egg crate cover. 15X circulation. going ahead zoas, mushrooms, euphyllids, softies. Lights not finalized yet.

Nassarius and Turbo snails.
Skunk Cleaner shrimps - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - 1
Feather Duster worm - 1
Deresa Clam - 1
RBTA - 1 (after 1 year, if conditions are stable)

Red Firefish - 1
Ocellaris Clown tank bred - 1 OR pair
Yellowhead Jawfish - 1
Yellow watchman Goby + Alpheus Shrimp - 1 each
Court Jester Goby OR Hector's Goby - 1 (any other goby group that will be better suited with a Mandarin?) the problem is that your tank size is marginal for a mandarin so you cannot introduce copepod eating competition
Tailspot Blenny - 1
Purple Dottyback - 1 very aqggressive, I would skip
Black Axil Chromis - 1
Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse OR White Banded Possum Wrasse - 1
McCosker's OR Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - 1 male (Is there room for a 1M+3F group?) no, having one is fine, a group will have an activity level too high for this sized tank
Red Mandarin Dragonet - 1 (after 1 year, must have)
1 Spot Foxface OR Tomini Tang - 1 marginal for this sized tank

Thank you for your time.
Dev

 

[Wretch]

Ok going to give this one more try. Thanks for taking the time and helping everyone out. 54g corner tank.

Blue & Gold Blenny
Royal Gramma
Ocellaris Clown
Coral Beauty
Starcki Damsel
Four Spot Yellow Coris Wrasse

Corals will mostly be zoos and a few LPS(Euphyllia)

Thanks again.

 

[snorvich]

Ok going to give this one more try. Thanks for taking the time and helping everyone out. 54g corner tank.

Blue & Gold Blenny
Royal Gramma
Ocellaris Clown
Coral Beauty really needs a slightly larger tank
Starcki Damsel will be aggressive towards the coral beauty
Four Spot Yellow Coris Wrasse not invert safe but otherwise excellent

Corals will mostly be zoos and a few LPS(Euphyllia)

Thanks again.

 

[jeffltodd]

Originally Posted by jeffltodd View Post
Ok, so I've been doing this for >10 years and starting a 3rd set-up, but it's been some time so I thought I would see about getting some input.

Well I have been doing it for about 30 years and diving for about that long

System:
72 gallon bowfront with 80lbs of live rock.
Protein skimmer in sump.

Current stock:
2 black Clarkii (paired) this species is almost the most aggressive (GSM are more) clownfish once paired and will want to control about 40-60 gallons of tank space
Candy Apply Zoos angelfish love zoanthids

Planned purchases:
RBTA

Considering:
Kole Tang In this sized tank, it is the kole tang or one of the dwarf angels as there is insufficient algae generated for more than one grazer
3 Green Chromis will become one over time since the most aggressive one will knock off the rest
2 Purple Firefish unless a bonded pair, one will become two
1 Flame Angel or Coral Beauty (last addition in about 1 year)

Now, I know the angels will nip at some corals, and this is where I have to make some decisions because I would like a clam. If you have multiple grazers a clam may be at risk because of the embedded zooxanthellae

In terms of corals themselves, I will make due with whatever the angels will leave alone. "toxic" LPS may be fine, meaty LPS not so much

Thoughts? Ideas? Criticisms?


Thanks for your response - I will may likely decide not to add any dwarf angels.


One thought - (other than obvious potential fish losses), what if I added a Haddoni rather than the RBTA?

 

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jeffltodd View Post
Ok, so I've been doing this for >10 years and starting a 3rd set-up, but it's been some time so I thought I would see about getting some input.

Well I have been doing it for about 30 years and diving for about that long

System:
72 gallon bowfront with 80lbs of live rock.
Protein skimmer in sump.

Current stock:
2 black Clarkii (paired) this species is almost the most aggressive (GSM are more) clownfish once paired and will want to control about 40-60 gallons of tank space
Candy Apply Zoos angelfish love zoanthids

Planned purchases:
RBTA

Considering:
Kole Tang In this sized tank, it is the kole tang or one of the dwarf angels as there is insufficient algae generated for more than one grazer
3 Green Chromis will become one over time since the most aggressive one will knock off the rest
2 Purple Firefish unless a bonded pair, one will become two
1 Flame Angel or Coral Beauty (last addition in about 1 year)

Now, I know the angels will nip at some corals, and this is where I have to make some decisions because I would like a clam. If you have multiple grazers a clam may be at risk because of the embedded zooxanthellae

In terms of corals themselves, I will make due with whatever the angels will leave alone. "toxic" LPS may be fine, meaty LPS not so much

Thoughts? Ideas? Criticisms?


Thanks for your response - I will may likely decide not to add any dwarf angels.


One thought - (other than obvious potential fish losses), what if I added a Haddoni rather than the RBTA?

The fish losses won't be potential, they will be actual. If you wish to have a clownfish tank only, however, that would work well.