Stocking the 75

Lincoln 993 · 10/08/2017, 09:07 AM

Hey y'all,

So, I'm at a point now of inactivity with the tank. For now, I don't have much to do, as the next round of equipment isn't going to be purchased until next month, so I have a breather. The next thing I need to do with the tank is finish pluming. Technically at that point it'll be ready to begin cycling. The ATS, the T5's and the controllers will come in the following months.

So here's the thing: until now, I haven't put much thought into what I'd like to keep in this tank haha. I know that it's going to be SPS dominant, with some LPS in there too. I know I'd like to keep a Tridacna clam of some sort (still working out species). And it would be nice if I could keep a BTA, though I haven't tried one in a coral heavy tank before, so if it's going to be a problem I'd like to know to tailor my fish selection.

Here's technical information about the system:

The tank: 75 gallons (48"x18"x21" give or take some fractions)
40 lbs brs pukani (bleaching, too cold to naturally cure. Autumn
decided to show up this year)
Couple bags of live sand

Flow: Maxspect Gyre xf250 (5000gph Max)

Lighting: 4 t5 ho and 2 kessil a150 leds

Filtration: 20 gallon sump
Algae turf scrubber
100 gallon hob skimmer
4"x8" marine pure brick
Bio pellet reactor
Reverse flow undergravel filter tied into return

Control: Still thinking about Neptune Apex
Seneye (for par and ammonia)

Invertebrates:
Pistol Shrimp?
Cleaner shrimp
Tridacna Clam
SPS dominant, some lps
Assorted cleaners
Maybe an urchin
Maybe BTA

Anyway, here's the current selection of fish. Everything is still up int the air, and I might not get all of these (probably won't). They are just potential candidates. Please post your opinions!

If BTA is go: 2 Clarkii Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii)
If BTA is no go: 2 Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 Yasha Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) if Pistol shrimp is go
3 Kaudern's Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
3 Chalk Bass (Serranus tortugarum)
1 Bristletooth Tang (Not sure yet, leaning toward Ctenochaetus
tominiensis)
3 Blue Flasher Wrasse (2 Female, 1 Male) (Paracheilinus cyaneus)
1 Dwarf Angelfish (either Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) or
Flame (Centropyge loricula). Up in the air on
this,need opinions. I know every angel is different, but
they are very pretty, and if I keep them well fed, they
shouldn't hit the corals too much, right?)
I may also attempt a Green Mandarin, I'm researching feeding tactics.

So that's the list so far. I decided against the Snowflake Eel and the Russell's Lionfish. Predator tank will come in the future lol.

I'm also looking into reef safe urchins that don't get too big (my long spine got enormous).

Also, does anyone cultivate feeder algae for their tangs? Something like Red Gracilaria would be nice. I'd like some pointers on that.

Thank you for reading!

10/08/2017, 09:07 AM	#1
Lincoln 993 Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico, USA Posts: 14	Stocking the 75 Hey y'all, So, I'm at a point now of inactivity with the tank. For now, I don't have much to do, as the next round of equipment isn't going to be purchased until next month, so I have a breather. The next thing I need to do with the tank is finish pluming. Technically at that point it'll be ready to begin cycling. The ATS, the T5's and the controllers will come in the following months. So here's the thing: until now, I haven't put much thought into what I'd like to keep in this tank haha. I know that it's going to be SPS dominant, with some LPS in there too. I know I'd like to keep a Tridacna clam of some sort (still working out species). And it would be nice if I could keep a BTA, though I haven't tried one in a coral heavy tank before, so if it's going to be a problem I'd like to know to tailor my fish selection. Here's technical information about the system: The tank: 75 gallons (48"x18"x21" give or take some fractions) 40 lbs brs pukani (bleaching, too cold to naturally cure. Autumn decided to show up this year) Couple bags of live sand Flow: Maxspect Gyre xf250 (5000gph Max) Lighting: 4 t5 ho and 2 kessil a150 leds Filtration: 20 gallon sump Algae turf scrubber 100 gallon hob skimmer 4"x8" marine pure brick Bio pellet reactor Reverse flow undergravel filter tied into return Control: Still thinking about Neptune Apex Seneye (for par and ammonia) Invertebrates: Pistol Shrimp? Cleaner shrimp Tridacna Clam SPS dominant, some lps Assorted cleaners Maybe an urchin Maybe BTA Anyway, here's the current selection of fish. Everything is still up int the air, and I might not get all of these (probably won't). They are just potential candidates. Please post your opinions! If BTA is go: 2 Clarkii Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) If BTA is no go: 2 Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) 1 Yasha Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) if Pistol shrimp is go 3 Kaudern's Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) 3 Chalk Bass (Serranus tortugarum) 1 Bristletooth Tang (Not sure yet, leaning toward Ctenochaetus tominiensis) 3 Blue Flasher Wrasse (2 Female, 1 Male) (Paracheilinus cyaneus) 1 Dwarf Angelfish (either Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) or Flame (Centropyge loricula). Up in the air on this,need opinions. I know every angel is different, but they are very pretty, and if I keep them well fed, they shouldn't hit the corals too much, right?) I may also attempt a Green Mandarin, I'm researching feeding tactics. So that's the list so far. I decided against the Snowflake Eel and the Russell's Lionfish. Predator tank will come in the future lol. I'm also looking into reef safe urchins that don't get too big (my long spine got enormous). Also, does anyone cultivate feeder algae for their tangs? Something like Red Gracilaria would be nice. I'd like some pointers on that. Thank you for reading!