Stocking Question

[Aslan]

So I'm back after looking at some stuff and have a bunch more questions for you all.

This is still all in the read about ahead of time planning stages but I wanted to get your opinions.

The tank is a 65g with a 45g sump and refugium.

Leapord Wrasse
Kole Yellow Eyed Tang
Radiant Wrasse
Australian Scott's Fairy Wrasse
Orange Spotted Blenny
Green Manderin
Pair of Dragon faced Pipes
Orange Striped Prawn Goby

Pistol Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
Peppermint Shrimp
Pair of Sexy Shrimp if Compatible

Deresa Clam

Do these work? I also want to keep some corals.

What kind of cleaners can/should I get? Are there any starfishes that I could keep in this tank.

 

[virginiabreeze6]

sounds like a good mix, might be a little small quarters for the tang

 

[McCrary]

Sounds good, show some picks when you get it setup.

 

[onereefnotenuf]

i've got a kole in my 125 that is about 6". i think a kole may be a bit big for a 65. they are very active and need tons of swimming space.
make sure and wait a few months before adding the mandarin. they need live pods to survive and it takes awhile for them to get established. you could get a starter colony. somebody sells them on the web but i can't think of the company's name.

 

[thor32766]

yeah i would wait a little to add the madarin

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I see some problems in food competition between the pipefish, mandarin, leopard wrasse, and those other wrasses. Even with a fuge I dont think you will be able to grow enough micro fauna to support all of these fish which often will refuse to feed on introduced foods.

I wouldn't put any tang in a 65 but thats just me, I know it is done all the time. I think the pipefish, mandarin, and leopard wrasse may be tough to keep in this system with all those other food competitors unless this tank was well aged and crawling with pods. HTH

 

[Aslan]

So maybe I should drop the tang and the pipefish out of the plans for now.

My plan is to set the tank up with the 120lbs of LR and buckets full of rubble rock, I purchased from an established system, and leave it empty for a couple of months. I was going to put in a few different pod cultures for diversity after the levels were all at 0.

Then I was going to add the cleanup crew. Still need ideas on how much and what.

Then I was going to start adding some corals and maybe one fish every month or so.

The tank is going on a wall that is next to a closet so I do have extra space if you think a larger sump or refugium is needed.

Also wondering how much flow I should shoot for. Do those Maxijet 900 Modification kits work well? Any ideas for a return pump to the display from the sump? My stand drain pipe has a 1" hole for a drain, but the pipe is actually bigger. Not sure why?

 

[Aslan]

Oh. What about a Foxface? I read that they might nip on corals. Any experience?

 

[Aslan]

Please, any help with clean up crew would be much appreciated. Thank You.

 

[Serioussnaps]

wait a year after having a loaded fuge for the mandarin.... i would say no to a tang...and with any fariy wrasse you need to have the tank weeeeellllll covered......those wrasses may cause problems quarrelling down the road too

cant say about the pipes but i am under the impression they are very tough and easily stressed by other fish...but ask someone with more knowlege about them

 

[Serioussnaps]

if you want a tang or foxface you may have it separate from the other and you need to eliminate most of the rest of your fish...i say leave them off and go for the others...also take off a wrasse..

snails are a must for clean up crew(if you want a clean up crew)a few of different species....also i dont like crabs but they are a staple in that area....emeralds hermits...etc.....ask someone else (again) about starfish...no experience there(get a harlequin shrimp and some stars)

 

[Aslan]

Thanks for your help.

So the foxface and tang are out I guess. I wanted something that would eat hair algae if I ever got it. Any suggestions.

Thanks for the input on snails and crabs.

Anyone have any ideas on what strafishes I could get and when. I think the brittle star is a good cleaner. Yes? No?

Thanks to everybody for all of your help. I really do appreciate it.

 

[RichConley]

Re: Stocking Question

These guys:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7787174#post7787174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aslan
Leapord Wrasse
Radiant Wrasse

Will most likely starve these guys:

Green Manderin
Pair of Dragon faced Pipes

To death.

Substrate feeding wrasses are extremely efficient feeders. Mandarins and pipefish are not.