Livestock to Review

T

Threshold

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I need your advice on this livestock for a 75 gallon DT (with a 30 gallon sump). This is my first tank, so I am still trying to get a feel on how much of a biomass the system can handle!

I have tried to get a variety of body types and colors for a nice tank. I also tried to get a good mix of those that hang out by the sand bed, those that hover over rock work, and those that swim in the water column. For coral, my goal is to have few corals but let them grow large — that’s what I find appealing.

Also, I am going to post this on two forums and send it to a few friends in email — so if you see this more than once, I apologize. (Unless you are on of my friends — in which case you have my sincere sympathies.)

Okay:

Fish:

Mandarin Dragnet (note: this won’t be purchased for a year after the DT is up and running — but this is the only fish I truly want — so if I have to cut back on the bio load it WON’T be this one)
Starcki Damselfish
Firefish x2 (this is the only fish where I intend to get more than one — until I get feedback to this message)
Red Hat Solon Fairy Wrasse (note: if this guy eats pods then he’s out — they’re for the mandarin)
gold stripe maroon clownfish

Corals:

Open Brain Coral
Starburst Polyp
Cauliflower Colt Coral
Toadstool Mushroom Leather
Mushroom Rock Rhodactis

Inverts:

Blood shrimp
Blue leg and red leg hermit crabs
peppermint shrimp
skunk cleaner shrimp

Note: I didn’t add any snails because I’ve heard too many horror stories about them breeding like rabbits on viagra. If you can recommend snails that don’t have that problem then please let me know. (Or if you think the hassle is worth their benefit.)

Thanks for your feedback!
 
The stock list looks good, it's not overstocked which many reef tanks end up becoming. But that will depend on what equipment you are using to export nutrients.

I actually like snails reproducing somewhat and love how they clean algae. Trochus snail can right themselves and readily reproduce in reef tanks. If they get too plentiful it's easy enough to pull a few out and PIF them onto other reefers. The downside is the little snails can stop float switches from working properly if they crawl into the wrong place.IMO it's worth it to keep snails.
 
I am still working out the equipment -- so other than a skimmer, a filter sock, and lots of bacteria, I don't know... :)

I hadn't thought about PIF with snails -- great idea!
 
Your stocking list is actually pretty minimal. Your bioload would be pretty low with that group of fish. You can definitely get some more fairy wrasses if you liked, I don't believe they eat pods as much as other wrasses do. you could get away with a tomini or yellow eye kole tang (will help with algae too). You could also add a blenny or a dwarf angelfish (research which one though).

Just be warned on the clownfish though. Maroons get very aggressive, so make sure it is one of the last fish put in unless you put a more aggressive fish in.
 
icedearth15324 said:
Just be warned on the clownfish though. Maroons get very aggressive, so make sure it is one of the last fish put in unless you put a more aggressive fish in.
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Iced Earth rocks. :)

I have been tempted to switch from the maroon to an Ocellaris clown fish.

Thanks for the tang suggestions. I had been trying to stick with peaceful fish -- but I suppose individual tangs are peaceful. :)
 
instead of a tang, consider a one spot foxface. great for cleaning algae and not the ich risk as a tang.
 
3dees said:
instead of a tang, consider a one spot foxface. great for cleaning algae and not the ich risk as a tang.
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I'm a newbie, so I am hesitant to put in a foxface that might nip at my corals -- perhaps down the road I'll be braver! :)

From what Iced Earth said, I should have room to add more fish -- so after the tank is up and running, I could consider adding this -- if I feel I am able to keep the fish happy and protect the coral.
 
my tank is full of softies and lps. my one spot doesn't bother anything. I give him nori every day. they are considered pretty much reef safe.
 
3dees said:
my tank is full of softies and lps. my one spot doesn't bother anything. I give him nori every day. they are considered pretty much reef safe.
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I have a magnificent foxface and he's never even looked at a coral.

And as long as proper quarantine procedures are done, the risk of ich on tangs is very minimal. I've had tangs and a foxface and both are great.
 
Replace the maroon, they are really mean and will terrorize those small fish even I you add it last, IMO. Get a trio of anthias, like Bartlet's. They are up in the water column and very colorful. ou can add 3 of them and still be safe with the others mentioned.
 
EricTheRed said:
Replace the maroon, they are really mean and will terrorize those small fish even I you add it last, IMO. Get a trio of anthias, like Bartlet's. They are up in the water column and very colorful. ou can add 3 of them and still be safe with the others mentioned.
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I'm with you regarding the maroon -- he's out. I looked up the anthias and they're beautiful fish -- but won't be a fit. They'll eat pods and I'm trying to save them for my mandarin. :)
 
Glad to see you changed your mind about the maroon. JMO but, I would not add a damsel either if your looking for a peaceful tank. Love the kole tang suggestion, but should be added after smaller fish.
 
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