stocking a 75
- Thread starter Radcat
- Start date
Prater
New member
75 Gallon:
I have 200lb of live rock, my sandbed ranges from 2 to 4 inches. I have a Lawnmower Blenny, Coral Beauty, Mandarin, Green Chromis(started with three, two jumped), Tomato Clown and GBT Anenome, and two Coral Banded Shrimp. The tank could have more livestock but I like the way it looks.
I have 200lb of live rock, my sandbed ranges from 2 to 4 inches. I have a Lawnmower Blenny, Coral Beauty, Mandarin, Green Chromis(started with three, two jumped), Tomato Clown and GBT Anenome, and two Coral Banded Shrimp. The tank could have more livestock but I like the way it looks.
That's where I'm stuck. There are just so many choices. Right now I have regular lights. I bought pretty much all I need to run t-5s but I haven't set it up yet. So if I wanted to could get corals the t-5s would work. I'm just not sure if I want an aggressive tank or a peacefull tank. I just wanted a bunch of ideas to see what would work in a 75 and go from there.
My main problem is the fish that I really want don't work with anything else I want.
cmc0814
New member
Honestly, it just comes down to what you want more. I desperately want an emperor angel and a majestic angel. Ok, the emperor is a bad example, because my 120 is too small for them anyway. But I want the majestic angel really badly. And I won't get one because of the fear of it nipping on my corals. My corals are what I want to make my tank. So I choose the corals. Probably didn't help, sorry!
-Chris
-Chris
mskohl
Active member
you should see if there are any books in our library that could help you decide. Here are a few from the list that may have that information:
Marine Fishes: 500+ Aquarium Species Scott W. Michael
Aquarium Fish: A Visual Guide Dick Mills
Volume 1: ReefFishes by Scott Michael
I also like to look at liveaquaria.com, saltwaterfish.com for info and compatibility.
1. Make a list of all the fish you like the looks of.
2. Narrow down that list to fish that should be kept in a 75g tank.
3. Divide that list by reef safe and non-reef safe. Around here we are coral junkies, so we'd lean that direction, but pick the list that you'd be happiest with.
4. Then, narrow down the list to an appropriate total livestock. Consider difficulty and compatibility (you can only keep one of certain kinds of fish or fish of similar coloration).
5. When you add your first fish, start with the least aggressive (territorial).
Marine Fishes: 500+ Aquarium Species Scott W. Michael
Aquarium Fish: A Visual Guide Dick Mills
Volume 1: ReefFishes by Scott Michael
I also like to look at liveaquaria.com, saltwaterfish.com for info and compatibility.
1. Make a list of all the fish you like the looks of.
2. Narrow down that list to fish that should be kept in a 75g tank.
3. Divide that list by reef safe and non-reef safe. Around here we are coral junkies, so we'd lean that direction, but pick the list that you'd be happiest with.
4. Then, narrow down the list to an appropriate total livestock. Consider difficulty and compatibility (you can only keep one of certain kinds of fish or fish of similar coloration).
5. When you add your first fish, start with the least aggressive (territorial).
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
Just my pesonal thoughts, I think aggressive tanks have some really cool looking fish in them, but something bout the peacful community tanks, and reef tanks just appeal to me. I like lot's of friendly fishies getting along and swimming together. I recommend a pair of bangaii cardinals =o) There awesome and seem to be very friendly. As long as the other fish can't fit inside their mouth that is.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Jesse, you have the first book that she mentioned from me. That book will really help you. It doesn't list all the fish you see in the trade, but most. Just sit down with a pencil and paper and go through each page writing down the ones you like. Then research each one from there. You'll eventually find something that you like that will work with other fish. Also, when you add your first fish, make sure that it is a hardy one. Like with most new tanks, even though the Nitrogen Cycle is complete, there are other biological processes that take place that we can't see that could determine the life or death of an animal in the newly set up system.
If you need help determining anything, you know my door is always open. We can sit at the table and start going through plenty of books.
If you need help determining anything, you know my door is always open. We can sit at the table and start going through plenty of books.
Well since I already bought some hermits, snails and emerald crabs I guess getting a puffer or trigger are out of the question so I'll be getting a peacefull tank.
I would like to get these,
Pink Square Anthias or Dispar Anthias - I would like to get a school but how many and would it work in a 75?
Mandarin - Must have but I'll wait till the pod population is up.
Lieutenant Tang - Would my tank be too small?
Pair of Percula Clownfish - Would they be ok without an anemone?
Six Line Wrasse - Maybe
Fridmani Pseudochromis - Too aggressive?
Jawfish, Yellowhead - Thinking about getting 2-3. Would they be a problem with the mandarin?
Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark - Just to make things interesting j/k
What do you guys think? Too much of a bio load too little? Pretty much the only must have is the Mandarin. This is just a basic idea of what I am looking for.
I would like to get these,
Pink Square Anthias or Dispar Anthias - I would like to get a school but how many and would it work in a 75?
Mandarin - Must have but I'll wait till the pod population is up.
Lieutenant Tang - Would my tank be too small?
Pair of Percula Clownfish - Would they be ok without an anemone?
Six Line Wrasse - Maybe
Fridmani Pseudochromis - Too aggressive?
Jawfish, Yellowhead - Thinking about getting 2-3. Would they be a problem with the mandarin?
Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark - Just to make things interesting j/k
What do you guys think? Too much of a bio load too little? Pretty much the only must have is the Mandarin. This is just a basic idea of what I am looking for.
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
I can hook ya up with some pod infested cheato, just a little is all you'd need to stock up the population of amphipods in your tank.
let me know if you're interested. My mandarin is nice and fat from eating these things. I also recommend geting some other sources for a wide variety of pods. I've stocked tigger pods, aqua pods, and these amphipods that hitchiked in.
Tank may be too small for the Lieutenant
Clownfish don't "need" an anemone, mine like the Euphyllia in my tank, and the pompoms if their in the mood.
six lines, they so awesome, I never liked em until I put one in my tank for Jess, now he's one of my favorites.
Jawfish, get 2 if their a pair or just 1, 3 may be too many for that tank, also, they'll need a minimum of a 6" sandbed to make their burrows properly.
Cat shark, yeah go for it. Stick a plugged in toaster while your at it, save the rest of em from a slow scarry death, lol.
let me know if you're interested. My mandarin is nice and fat from eating these things. I also recommend geting some other sources for a wide variety of pods. I've stocked tigger pods, aqua pods, and these amphipods that hitchiked in.
Tank may be too small for the Lieutenant
Clownfish don't "need" an anemone, mine like the Euphyllia in my tank, and the pompoms if their in the mood.
six lines, they so awesome, I never liked em until I put one in my tank for Jess, now he's one of my favorites.
Jawfish, get 2 if their a pair or just 1, 3 may be too many for that tank, also, they'll need a minimum of a 6" sandbed to make their burrows properly.
Cat shark, yeah go for it. Stick a plugged in toaster while your at it, save the rest of em from a slow scarry death, lol.
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
10-4, I'll have some at the meeting this saturday for ya, I can toss in a few stometellas as well. (but there probably all in the cheato anyways, they do a great job cleaning the ball)
The jawfish (I read up alot on them since I want a mating pair in my 150) they will hardly leave the burrow except to feed if neccessary. Their space will be the whole tank right above the burrows. in the wild they can be seen a few feet above their holes checking out the competition and looking for a mate. they'll also steal better burrows from other jawfish, lol. They can be jumpers too so a lid is highly recommended. very lighting fast fish. vertically speaking. In a closed system as an aquarium, I bet they would leave the burrow more often, since there isn't a large amount of jawfish around them to worry about losing a home though. They do tend to live in open sand flats, versus right up against the rocks so they'll need a large area of sand. minimum of 1 sq foot per fish, but I think 2sq foot would be better since they can be very teritorial (more towards their own species)
a 5inch bed may cut it, but If possible, try and arrange rockwork so you can actually have an area with deeper sand. This is my plan for my upgrade, I want a 6-7inch sandbed in a large open sandy area for them, but then keep the rest of the sandbed about 2-3inch. I'm not sure 100% yet though, alot more to read.
The jawfish (I read up alot on them since I want a mating pair in my 150) they will hardly leave the burrow except to feed if neccessary. Their space will be the whole tank right above the burrows. in the wild they can be seen a few feet above their holes checking out the competition and looking for a mate. they'll also steal better burrows from other jawfish, lol. They can be jumpers too so a lid is highly recommended. very lighting fast fish. vertically speaking. In a closed system as an aquarium, I bet they would leave the burrow more often, since there isn't a large amount of jawfish around them to worry about losing a home though. They do tend to live in open sand flats, versus right up against the rocks so they'll need a large area of sand. minimum of 1 sq foot per fish, but I think 2sq foot would be better since they can be very teritorial (more towards their own species)
a 5inch bed may cut it, but If possible, try and arrange rockwork so you can actually have an area with deeper sand. This is my plan for my upgrade, I want a 6-7inch sandbed in a large open sandy area for them, but then keep the rest of the sandbed about 2-3inch. I'm not sure 100% yet though, alot more to read.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Well since I already bought some hermits, snails and emerald crabs I guess getting a puffer or trigger are out of the question so I'll be getting a peacefull tank.
Not necessarily. There are quite a few more peaceful things out there such as Niger, Pink Tailed, Cross Hatch, and Blue Throat Triggers that don't often create much of a problem. Puffers on the other hand are really hard to tell. I've seen some idividuals that were calm and didn't touch a thing, but I've seen others that ate everything in the tank.
Pink Square Anthias or Dispar Anthias - I would like to get a school but how many and would it work in a 75?
I would aim at keeping one, and no more than three in a 75g tank. I've seen people with more, but they normally have limited success with that amount.
Mandarin - Must have but I'll wait till the pod population is up.
Good choice in time.
Lieutenant Tang - Would my tank be too small?
This grows far too big and would demand a large amount of room. Tang wise, you're best options are Yellow Tang, Scopas Tang, and Kole Tangs as commonly found in the trade. If you're lucky, you might be able to find some Kole Tang cousins such as the Tomini Tang that stay rather small. Honestly, of all the smaller tangs, I prefer the Kole Tang.
Pair of Percula Clownfish - Would they be ok without an anemone?
This would be a great addition with lots of personality. They will do fine without an host. Most likely they will eventually find something to host in that isn't an anemone. You've seen my ocellaris rubbing on various corals.
Six Line Wrasse - Maybe
A good choice, but a few people find these to be aggressive once they are firmly set in a tank. These are normally better as one of the last fish in the tank just to play it safe.
Fridmani Pseudochromis - Too aggressive?
IMO, far too aggressive for smaller tanks with peaceful fish. I rate Pseudochromis up there with Damsels as far as aggression goes with reef safe fish
Jawfish, Yellowhead - Thinking about getting 2-3. Would they be a problem with the mandarin?
I would only get one. Maybe two if you feel lucky. It shouldn't have a problem with the mandarinfish. I would add this guy a little later in the tank to make sure your sandbed is settled down. You'll also have to be careful that it won't cause any avalanches buy burrowing under any rocks. It could use a slightly deeper sandbed than you have, making the sand deeper in some areas will help alleviate that.
Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark - Just to make things interesting j/k
You and me both
What do you guys think? Too much of a bio load too little? Pretty much the only must have is the Mandarin. This is just a basic idea of what I am looking for.
I think that, if you were to get all that is mentioned, you would be fine on bioload. I think that the clownfish and mandarin are a good choice. The six line will compete with for food with the mandarin and runs a slight risk of being aggressive later on, but a decent choice. The Anthias isn't bad, but make sure that they are eating well in the tank prior to purchasing. They need a fair amount of room though. The Jawfish is a good choice. Those 4 fish (not including multiples) should be fine.
Not necessarily. There are quite a few more peaceful things out there such as Niger, Pink Tailed, Cross Hatch, and Blue Throat Triggers that don't often create much of a problem. Puffers on the other hand are really hard to tell. I've seen some idividuals that were calm and didn't touch a thing, but I've seen others that ate everything in the tank.
Pink Square Anthias or Dispar Anthias - I would like to get a school but how many and would it work in a 75?
I would aim at keeping one, and no more than three in a 75g tank. I've seen people with more, but they normally have limited success with that amount.
Mandarin - Must have but I'll wait till the pod population is up.
Good choice in time.
Lieutenant Tang - Would my tank be too small?
This grows far too big and would demand a large amount of room. Tang wise, you're best options are Yellow Tang, Scopas Tang, and Kole Tangs as commonly found in the trade. If you're lucky, you might be able to find some Kole Tang cousins such as the Tomini Tang that stay rather small. Honestly, of all the smaller tangs, I prefer the Kole Tang.
Pair of Percula Clownfish - Would they be ok without an anemone?
This would be a great addition with lots of personality. They will do fine without an host. Most likely they will eventually find something to host in that isn't an anemone. You've seen my ocellaris rubbing on various corals.
Six Line Wrasse - Maybe
A good choice, but a few people find these to be aggressive once they are firmly set in a tank. These are normally better as one of the last fish in the tank just to play it safe.
Fridmani Pseudochromis - Too aggressive?
IMO, far too aggressive for smaller tanks with peaceful fish. I rate Pseudochromis up there with Damsels as far as aggression goes with reef safe fish
Jawfish, Yellowhead - Thinking about getting 2-3. Would they be a problem with the mandarin?
I would only get one. Maybe two if you feel lucky. It shouldn't have a problem with the mandarinfish. I would add this guy a little later in the tank to make sure your sandbed is settled down. You'll also have to be careful that it won't cause any avalanches buy burrowing under any rocks. It could use a slightly deeper sandbed than you have, making the sand deeper in some areas will help alleviate that.
Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark - Just to make things interesting j/k
You and me both
What do you guys think? Too much of a bio load too little? Pretty much the only must have is the Mandarin. This is just a basic idea of what I am looking for.
I think that, if you were to get all that is mentioned, you would be fine on bioload. I think that the clownfish and mandarin are a good choice. The six line will compete with for food with the mandarin and runs a slight risk of being aggressive later on, but a decent choice. The Anthias isn't bad, but make sure that they are eating well in the tank prior to purchasing. They need a fair amount of room though. The Jawfish is a good choice. Those 4 fish (not including multiples) should be fine.
Travis you know I really want a Niger Trigger 
So you think it "might" be ok to get one? If I did would it even be possible to get any shrimp down the line or would those end up being food?
So here's the new list.
Niger Trigger
clown pair
jawfish
mandarin
Fridmani Pseudochromis (maybe)
Anthias (mabye)
So you think it "might" be ok to get one? If I did would it even be possible to get any shrimp down the line or would those end up being food?So here's the new list.
Niger Trigger
clown pair
jawfish
mandarin
Fridmani Pseudochromis (maybe)
Anthias (mabye)
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
fwiw Radcat, I see baby Niger Triggers all the time at Petco. I know they may not be the best source for fish, but since the little guys are so small, better chance at getting them eating prepared foods and being around other fishies now. I've heard mixed reports about them in a community reef friendly tank. I want one too but just don't want to take the chance that it's going to be aggressive and may be harder to get rid of a larger fish like that later on. Just mythoughts though.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
I would shy away from the Pseudochromis. A Niger is very feasible. As far as adding a shrimp or anything else, I wouldn't press my luck even though I've seen a variety of people keep "reef safe" triggers with other shrimp.
mskohl
Active member
I believe the Anthias are somewhat difficult because of their feeding demands. I was told that they need to be fed several times a day.
I like the pseudochromis are nice. they have great color. My royal gramma has her moments, but she is generally well behaved and keeps to her area of the tank.
I really like the wrasses. They're some really colorful and useful fish.
I like the pseudochromis are nice. they have great color. My royal gramma has her moments, but she is generally well behaved and keeps to her area of the tank.
I really like the wrasses. They're some really colorful and useful fish.
