Stocking up my 55 - Open to Suggestions!!

[Zik]

Hey Guys,
Simi Valley Newb Reefer here, and I'm getting ready to begin stocking up my 55gal!

It's my first reef & I'm pretty stoked! All water parameters seem wonderful, all the way to alk/calc/mag. Been up now for almost 2x months, and as you can see I have a few frags in from o2manyfish as well as a mushroom rock from slief.

My coral preference: I like color (what a shocker.. lol), and I really enjoy seeing movement in the tank - so LPS/Softies I guess. SPS are still fun =). I also prefer watching them grow, rather than getting huge pieces from the start. Going to grab one of sliefs hammers in about a month once I hit my 90 day mark!

So far everything is doing great, and the mushrooms even doubled since introduced 2 weeks ago! Have in: Green Hairy Mushrooms, Xenia, Red Monti Cap, Green Birds Nest, and these 2 I don't know their names (digitata? one is blue and other remained brown - never saw color on it, could be my lights):

The only one that seemed to struggle is the blue one, it began losing it's color and appears to be bleaching, but it's not sitting up high & I didn't think my lights would be strong enough to bleach it..

Might see if Dave has another one I can test out to determine if maybe the individual frag didn't do good, or if there's something up w/ my set up.

Lastly, I had in the Current USA Marine Lights, but upgrading to the IC's because of the PAR difference & the ability to use as a wave controller. Tank is only 20" deep: http://current-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Orbit_Marine_Light_Specifications.pdf

Looking forward to hearing what you guys have available & any thoughts on the above. Cheers!

 

[dodgerblew]

I was going to suggest you grab one of Scotts hammers

 

[Zik]

I was going to suggest you grab one of Scotts hammers

Ohhh yaahh. It's def on my list. & with him living in the same city, it makes it that much more convenient haha.

When I first met up w/ him he told me to wait at least a few more months before adding one to allow the tank to continue cycling. Turns out it was a great suggestion, as I had a diatom bloom which appears to be on it's way out now.

Was thinking it'd be fun to grab bubble tip anemone - but it seems like it's best to wait on that. Heard mixed information - some suggesting a year, 6 months, 3, etc. Obviously if waiting the 1 year point, might be a bit dangerous with other coral in the tank, until it settles down & picks a spot.

 

[dodgerblew]

6 months minimum is my suggestion

 

[waterman78]

Fiji yellow or tan toadstool leathers will pop in your display. Have you considered a sestosa? Sun coral? Most corals will require your system around the 6 month to one year mark to thrive. As far as fish, I will suggest the Canary wrasse. Keep us all posted.

- Larry

 

[Fizzman]

I suggest War coral. O

 

[Zik]

Fiji yellow or tan toadstool leathers will pop in your display. Have you considered a sestosa? Sun coral? Most corals will require your system around the 6 month to one year mark to thrive. As far as fish, I will suggest the Canary wrasse. Keep us all posted.

- Larry

Awesome suggestion! I see someone really likes yellow
So are you recommending holding off until 6 months to add, or just notating that is when they'll begin to thrive?

I was aiming for my 90 day mark to begin to introduce a few at a time.

I suggest War coral. O

These look awesome!!~ Would love to get some in my tank =)


Do you guys mostly buy from LFS, Online, or other reefers?
Personally I really enjoy other reefers than the stores - but love to hear your guys ways.

I've used bayers dip for mine so far

 

[Fizzman]

@zik I suggested war coral cuz I have a frag for sale ;p.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2622241

 

[Zik]

They look super awesome! Only thing is Anaheim is a bit of a mission mission. Did I read it right that it hasn't grown? Lol

Sorry, super newb here as you can tell

 

[Fizzman]

No, the other peoples comments r jokes.

 

[Fizzman]

Dang, that is a good trip, lol

 

[Zik]

No, the other peoples comments r jokes.

Haha for sure!
I don't have anything for trade besides peeling off a couple mushroom hahaha

But like I said, Anaheim is a bit of a mission from simi nevertheless :/

 

[Zik]

Sorry, was going to edit my post (previous picture doesn't do the mushrooms justice), but guess I can't, so here is a much better pic!

Realized if I ever do want to trade in future for anyone interested, I better learn how to frag them!
Well... frag would be more advanced a term, since there was no fragmenting involved, just peeled one off w/ the tip of a toothpick, & speared it into some rock rubble.
We'll see in 1 week or so if it holds!

 

[roli112]

Love the rockwork

 

[Zik]

Love the rockwork

Thank you very much!!! The reef saver rock from brs made it too easy to aqua scape and a little bit of puddy went a long way.

Having such a blast learning something new every day in this hobby! And everyone on the forums are so eager to share, it's amazing!

 

[waterman78]

Here's another fish suggestion: Arc eye Hawkfish. I just picked one up myself.

- Larry

 

[Zik]

Interesting little guy!
I currently have 2x little clowns and a small blue tang in qt

My next fish considerations I'm looking into:
Royal gramma
Desjardinii sailfin tang
Engineer goby
6line wrasee

 

[waterman78]

DSB? If so, consider a pretty hefty CUC. I love my tiger sea cucumber for cleaning through my sand bed. For the deep cleaning, look into the snails... good luck. I have a six line wrasse and they're interesting but should be one of the very last to be added.

 

[Zik]

Dsb = the sail?
Clean up crew just got added. 4x hermits, 2 blue 2 red leg, then 4x snails, 2x zebra turbo 2x nacarius.

These are all fish I've either seen & liked their visuals (plus the price point is low), or were recommended to me and I've yet to look into

Still would need to dig into them a lot more! The sailfin was beautiful and I like how they swim lol

6 line = aggressive if added earlier I take it?

 

[VolcomStned]

Desjardini sailfin tang gets huge!! You need at least a 5 foot tank to provide enough swimming space. I'd personally stay away from tangs with a 55 gallon setup. My tangs are super active swimmers and I'd feel horrible if I didn't give them enough room to be active. Clownfish, Flame Hawk, Blue spotted jawfish, goby, firefish.. Those would be better suited for 55 gallons.