equipment & stocking advise / review

[Brandenburger]

Hi everybody,

I am new to saltwater but had multiple FW tanks over the years. I am finally taking the dive into SW.

I could do the same approach as I did as a twelve year old learning FW and do all the mistakes minimum once but I think this time I ask the more experienced people in the hobby for advise.

This is my current equipment list. If you think something is odd, please let me know what and what your recommendation would be.

tank: 4'x2'x2' drilled with center overflow. I would like to build a Herbie overflow.
sump: 40g breeder (I have the tank and want to DIY
skimmer: Bubble Magnus NAC5.5
return pump: Deepwater Aquatics BLDC5 (1400 gph)
power head: 2x Jebao PP-8
light: 2x 48" Aquaticlife Edge Reef
ATO: Tunze Osmolator 3155
RODI: Spectrapure (with I dont know right how much gpd)

I would like to make this a soft coral reef tank. I thought about going half dry rock and the other half a 40 or 50 gallon package from TBS.

This is my current stocking list. Any advise about compatibility and current load (light/medium/heavy) appreciated. The order reflects also the order I want to introduce them.

1 Bristletooth Tomini Tang (C. tominiensis)
1 pair clowns (A. ocellaris) (I know but I had to do something to get the kids and wife on board)
6 Blue/Green Chromis (C. vividis)
6 Firefish (N magnifica)
1 Midas Blenny (E. midas)
1 Sixline Wrasse (P. hexataenia)

For corals I plan of the following list but I am completely undecided.

Mushrooms Actinodiscus
Cabbage Leather Coral Sinularia brassica
Devil's hand Lobophytum sp.
Brain Coral Faria sp.


I have sketched my stand but still need to purchase material and build it. So there is quite sometime until the tank sees water for the first time.

Thanks for taking the time to read and looking forward to get some replies.

[top shelf]

WELCOME
Your equipment list looks good as for your stocking list I would only go with one chromis as you'll end up with one anyways. Same goes for the firefish, they will fight till there is only one left. The sixline wrasse many say eventually go rogue and go on rampage. The rest all looks good. Just remember to take things slow and enjoy. Lots of good info on this site and many smart people willing to help. If you havent read it yet this is worth looking at. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074 It can answer many questions you may have and help you understand what is going on in your tank and what you can do.

[RobZilla04]

Not neccissarily, I've had three chromis in my 90 for over a year.

[top shelf]

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

Not neccissarily, I've had three chromis in my 90 for over a year.

With anything in this hobby there's always exceptions to the rule but more often then not usually you'll end up with one.

[thegrun]

I would agree, odds are probably in the 25% range of the Chromis lasting more than 3 months in a 120. Only go with a single firefish unless you can find a mated pair (then two would be okay). I've tried 6 line wrasses a few times over the years, they have all eventually gone rouge and killed tank mates before I could catch and remove them.

[VoltzNSalt]

I've got 5 chromis, 2 banghai (used to be 3 til they teamed up and took one out) and a bonded pair of Ocellaris in my 210...

I am going to add several tang simultaneously in the next 6 months or so...

[Brandenburger]

thanks for your answers.

This reflects pretty much what I read about the Chromis. Some had them as school with no issues while others had a massacre on hand.
I will see if I want to find out my odds.

I will skip on the multiple firefish and probably pass on the Wrasse.

Any suggestions what I could add instead? I would like to keep it to species found in Indo-Pacific area.

[LowDime]

flasher or fairy wrasses are my choice

[crawlerman]

Like everyone said, multiple chromis and firefish are likely to kill each other. I had it happen with three chromis. I had a six line that was fine for probably 2 years then went nuts. had to take out most of my rock to get him. I really like my melanurus wrasse, but they are known to eat shrimp. Mine has left the cleaner and peppermint shrimp alone but he ate my $30 harlaquin I added to control my asterina starfish. There are many beautiful reef safe wrasses out there. A pair of cardinals are always nice. Live aquaria has a nice comparability chart.

[scooter31707]

I will be very careful with that sixline wrasse. Can be very aggressive.

[nereefpat]

Tomini tang - Fine. I would add it last.
Clown pair - Fine
Chromis - 1-3 long-term probably
Firefish - 1 pair
Midas blenny - Fine
Sixline wrasse - I would replace it Halichoeres melanurus. Better looking, bigger, and more peaceful