Stock list for a 180G

[13threefmaniac]

The tank will be a 48" X 36" X 24" in wall glass tank(approx 180G). My idea is to have a few shoaling species and small reef safe fish in order to achieve a natural reef look.

Glass/High Fin Cardinals X10
Blue Green Chromis X7
Anthias Harem - undecided on type and size of harem
Royal Gramma -pair
Potters Angel -pair
Yasha shrimp goby/Pistol shrimp combo

I would also like to have a few wrasses(preferably in pairs). My favorites are ;
-McCoskers
-Flame
-Mystery

What type of anthias would you recommend for a tank of this size and what type of wrasse(s) would be most suitable?

 

[michael_cb_125]

With a 180 gallon tank you are not limited with reguards to size. Any of the reef safe wrasses would be nice. Personally I love the Lineatus Wrasse, as well as the Rhomboidalis Wrasse. Both of these are very active and peaceful fish. As far as anthias go, you need to consider what type of lighting you will use. Many of the anthia species are found in deep water and as such are not accustomed to bright lighting. Over time most will adjust to our brightly lit reef tanks, but it takes time. My all time favorite anthias are the Ventralis. These fish have amazing colors and stay small (max out at 3 inches).

Good luck with your tank.

~Michael

 

[13threefmaniac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13311021#post13311021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michael_cb_125
With a 180 gallon tank you are not limited with reguards to size. Any of the reef safe wrasses would be nice. Personally I love the Lineatus Wrasse, as well as the Rhomboidalis Wrasse. Both of these are very active and peaceful fish. As far as anthias go, you need to consider what type of lighting you will use. Many of the anthia species are found in deep water and as such are not accustomed to bright lighting. Over time most will adjust to our brightly lit reef tanks, but it takes time. My all time favorite anthias are the Ventralis. These fish have amazing colors and stay small (max out at 3 inches).

Good luck with your tank.

~Michael

Thanks for the quick reply Michael. The lighting in my tank is going to be provided by 2 6 bulb 36" ATI powermodules. This will ensure that there will be dimly lit areas within the tank which should benefit the anthias. At least thats my way of looking at it. The Ventralis are indeed spectacular fish, but i doubt i'd be able to get them over here. I was looking at the lyretails but my research has lead me to the conclusion that they are the most aggressive of the lot. As for the wrasses, the two you mentioned are stunning, but once again, they are not readily available in my country. Would a pair of Flame's be able to coexist peacefully with a pair of Pylei's / McCosker's or Lineatus'?

 

[13threefmaniac]

bumpity bump

 

[michael_cb_125]

I think that a pair of flames and a Lineatus would make a spectacular group of wrasses. You should have no problems with a few wrasses in that tank.

As for the the Lyre Tail Anthias, they get about 5 inches so they are large anthias. And they can vex other small mid column fishes. Another nice anthia is the Ignitus.
~Michael

 

[13threefmaniac]

Okay... after more reading, it has come to my attention at the flames have a tendency to be aggressive also. Would a mystery wrasse and a rhomboidalis be able to coexist? And would they be more or less aggressive than the flames?

What is the max size of the ignitus? I am leaning towards a small 'school' of sunburst anthias at the moment. I know they tend to stay in caves and under ledges and are somewhat less prone to swimming out in the open like other anthia but they seem to be docile and they stay small.

 

[michael_cb_125]

The Ignitus anthias max out at about 3 inches. The Sunburst anthias get a little larger. I have seen some as large as 5 inches. Plus they do not tend to school like many of the other anthia species. A mystery and Rhomboid should be fine togather. Personally I dont think that the flames would be any problem at all, especially if you added a pair.
~Michael

 

[13threefmaniac]

Time to go read up about the Ignitus then. Thee inches would be ideal for the overall look im trying to achieve. I plan on a max of three wrasses at the moment... with room for one more down the road. What, in your experience is the max size for a Mystery and Rhomboid? I'm leaning towards a pair of flames(their colours when well maintained are absolutely stunning) and one of either a mystery or rhomboid. I have also heard that the Mystery can develop a taste for shrimp. Any truth in this? Thanks a lot for the help Micheal.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I have never had a Mystery Wrasse, but I have several friend who do. Over time they can tend to get aggressive. And like any wrasse, they can start to pick on shrimp. Not all do it, but some will now and then. IMO Go with a pair of flames and a pair of Rhomboids. That would give you an amazig selection of wrasses. Plus I think that a mystery wrasse just looks like a painted sixline. Not to special in my book

~Michael

 

[13threefmaniac]

Lol... A friend of mine said the exact same thing. Well...almost the same thing. Anyways.. i saw a mystery at my local LFS (in their main display to be exact) and the way it swam through the rockwork is what really drew me to it... somewhat like a torpedo cruising thru the tank. If my lfs can bring in a harem of Ignitus then i will get a pair of Rhomboids and put a hold on the Flames/Mystery till a little later.

 

[13threefmaniac]

Updated fish list

X 12/15 - Glass Cardinals
X 5 - Ignitus Anthias or Lyretails
X 2 - Rhomboids or Flames
X 2 - Potters Angel
X 2 - Royal Gramma or Black Cap Basslet

By my calculations, i should have room for a few more fish should i decide to add any down the road. If anyone has any suggestions regarding my list please feel free to chime in.

 

[13threefmaniac]

Bump.... any views??suggestions??anything??

 

[13threefmaniac]

From the "New to the Hobby" Forum:

I'm in the planning stages of a 48 X 36 X 24 in wall tank. The system will end up having a total volume of about 350 - 400 gallons (sump, fuge, macro grow out area and frag tank). The display will have a SSB (fine aragonite) and there are plans to incorporate a DSB into the system. The tank will be an LPS dominated reef with a few large SPS colonies. Lighting will consist of 1 X 250W halide and one 6-bulb ATI Powermodule (seems a little on the low side. Reasoning behind this is to create sheltered/dimly lit areas in the tank). The system will have a reeflo250 as the skimmer, a calcium reactor and i am toying with the idea of getting an ozone generator(further research required).

My fish/invert list

X 12/15 - Glass Cardinals
X 5 - Ignitus Anthias or Lyretails
X 2 - Rhomboids or Flames
X 2 - Potters Angel
X 2 - Royal Gramma or Black Cap Basslet
X 2 - Blood Shrimp
X 2 - Cleaner Shrimp
Clean up crew (assorted snails and hermit crabs)
Yasha Haze Goby/Candycane Pistol Combo
X 2 - Mandarin (after tank has matured)

I might skip adding the rhomboids/flames and opt for a Mystery Wrasse(current favorite fish) instead. Problem is, the hours spent going through the reef fishes forum has led me to the conclusion that they will eventually devour my shrimp. I can't imagine a tank without shrimp in it.

By my calculations, i should have room for a few more fish should i decide to add any down the road. I would welcome any input from the more experienced hands on this forum regarding my proposed stock list. Thanks in advance

 

[michael_cb_125]

I have kept many different types of wrasse with shrimp. I have never had any problems with them.
I really like the idea of the pair of potters angels. I have a potters in my tank and he is one of my favorite fish. If you like the idea of angels, I would look at the regal angels. They are by far my favorite angel and are as reef safe as any dwarf angel, maybe even safer.
~Michael

 

[13threefmaniac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13327607#post13327607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michael_cb_125
I have kept many different types of wrasse with shrimp. I have never had any problems with them.
I really like the idea of the pair of potters angels. I have a potters in my tank and he is one of my favorite fish. If you like the idea of angels, I would look at the regal angels. They are by far my favorite angel and are as reef safe as any dwarf angel, maybe even safer.
~Michael

The Potters are my favorite dwarf angel (besides the Interuptus which i suspect is out of my price range). Regals are really cool fishbut the ones here are usually pretty large. Juveniles are really hard to come by. I might add another angel down the line, probably a golden pygmy angel.
Any plans to get a mate for your Potters?I really hope to get a pair that does not nip at anything.

 

[michael_cb_125]

Right now I have a Potters, Flame, and regal in my 55 gallon reef. (I have an Elos System 70).
I am out of room. Thankfully All three angels get along great, never fight, and have never bothered any corals. I would love to pair up the potter's, but his Flame buddy, would not like that.
~Michael

 

[13threefmaniac]

Wow, that must make for a pretty stunning display. I've heard really good things about Elos tanks. Have never seen one in person though. Too bad its mostly hit and miss with these angels. A friend of mine tried a harem of potters once and they were well behaved for a few months till one day the largest one got acquired a taste for LPS and soon the rest followed suit. Destroyed his tank in a matter of days.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I am very pleased with how this tank looks. Everyone who sees it cant believe the color that the fish have. If the angels decide to pic on a few corals, that is fine. In nature corals never go untouched. I am trying to mimic a reef, so a little picking here and there is ok. But so far I have been lucky, and gotten no picking.
~Michael

 

[13threefmaniac]

Do you have a tank thread that i could check out? And it sure is hard to get people into a thread without pics eh?? Anyway, thanks for the help and information. Let me know if u do have a thread of your own...

 

[13threefmaniac]

Bump