Stocking a 210 gallon reef tank

angela1 · 04/27/2010, 03:49 PM

I've been in the hobby for two years and am now on my third tank upgrade and can't stop myself.

I just bought a 210 gallon tank

and am embarking on all of the work related to 'doing it right' (ie plumbing & electrical). I'm cultivating sand and expect to start transitioning my old tank inhabitants to the new tank in a few weeks.

I'm not ready to stock this yet but am readily planning and thinking about what options I have and what I can do with a tank this size.

If you were stocking a 210 reef what fish would YOU put in it? I'm a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities.

Current inhabitants that will transition include:
Blue Hippo Tang
Sailfin Tang
Mated pair of clowns
Christmas Wrasse
(on order Mated pair of redtail Wrasse)
Marble Wrasse

Red marble starfish
Sand sifting starfish
Fire Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
Open Brain Corals
Carnation Corals
Mushrooms
Polyps
Chili Coral
SPF

TampaReefer79 · 04/27/2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angela1

I've been in the hobby for two years and am now on my third tank upgrade and can't stop myself.

I just bought a 210 gallon tank

and am embarking on all of the work related to 'doing it right' (ie plumbing & electrical). I'm cultivating sand and expect to start transitioning my old tank inhabitants to the new tank in a few weeks.

I'm not ready to stock this yet but am readily planning and thinking about what options I have and what I can do with a tank this size.

If you were stocking a 210 reef what fish would YOU put in it? I'm a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities.

Current inhabitants that will transition include:
Blue Hippo Tang
Sailfin Tang
Mated pair of clowns
Christmas Wrasse
(on order Mated pair of redtail Wrasse)
Marble Wrasse

Red marble starfish
Sand sifting starfish
Fire Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
Open Brain Corals
Carnation Corals
Mushrooms
Polyps
Chili Coral
SPF

Are you sure you want the sand sifting starfish eating everything in your sandbed? Not only that, but without proper nourishment they pretty much just wither away slowly.

angela1 · 04/27/2010, 04:21 PM

Interesting; never thought of it. I've had him in there for over a year and he's very active. I always thought of him as being beneficial in cleaning out waste from the sand. My new tank will have a fuge but i have been buying pods from a local distributor to ensure a good supply as they don't seem to adequately produce in my current tank. Never thought of the starfish as a problem.

a.stebel · 04/27/2010, 08:44 PM

I would add a yellow tang. To me no reef is complete without a yellow tang. Would also add a royal dottyback. Great little fish that guests love the look of.

rholguin · 04/27/2010, 09:24 PM

If it was my tank I would have:
1. Majestic angel
1. Blue line angel
Pair of flameback angels
1. male flame wrasse
3. female flame wrasse
1. tennetti tang
Pair of regal angels
2-3. yellow tangs
Pair of pyramid butterflies
1. sterry blennie
1. gold sail fin blennie
Pair of manderins
1. pink bar blennie.
And probably a couple of more smaller fish like firefish or jawfish.
Good luck with your selection.

Lannyrx7 · 04/28/2010, 02:03 AM

Will Yellow Tangs and Sailfins get along though since they have similar body styles (both zebrasoma)?

anbosu · 04/28/2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lannyrx7

Will Yellow Tangs and Sailfins get along though since they have similar body styles (both zebrasoma)?

Sometimes, there is a lot of luck involved. A big tank helps, certainly.

angela1 · 04/28/2010, 02:01 PM

Nice lists! You've got me thinking

anbosu · 04/28/2010, 02:37 PM

I am a big fan of anthias, especially in larger reef systems.

jdthomas24 · 04/28/2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lannyrx7

Will Yellow Tangs and Sailfins get along though since they have similar body styles (both zebrasoma)?

i added a yellow after i already had a dejardini sailfin and i had to step in a few times to break them up but after a day or so they now get along.

NexDog · 04/29/2010, 04:41 AM

I think you should add the fish that you like, and not what other people like.

Dustin1300 · 04/29/2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NexDog

I think you should add the fish that you like, and not what other people like.

I second that! Look for fish you enjoy and that are well thought out. Find fish that are good inhabitants and are known for a long life in reef keeping. I always want to make sure that I can care for the inhabitants and ensure they live a life to its fullest....(Amazing how we get attached isnt it?)

angela1 · 04/29/2010, 09:32 PM

Your posts have given me a jump start on compatible fish I couldn't have in my smaller tank. Researching the possibilities is like making a Christmas wish list. Still setting up this monster tank but thanks for giving me a jump start at some new and interestsing fish to research!

04/27/2010, 09:24 PM	#5
rholguin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 846	If it was my tank I would have: 1. Majestic angel 1. Blue line angel Pair of flameback angels 1. male flame wrasse 3. female flame wrasse 1. tennetti tang Pair of regal angels 2-3. yellow tangs Pair of pyramid butterflies 1. sterry blennie 1. gold sail fin blennie Pair of manderins 1. pink bar blennie. And probably a couple of more smaller fish like firefish or jawfish. Good luck with your selection. __________________ Robert Current Tank Info: 80g rimless.

04/29/2010, 04:41 AM	#11
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	I think you should add the fish that you like, and not what other people like. __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

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04/27/2010, 04:21 PM	#3
angela1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Grove IL Posts: 136	Interesting; never thought of it. I've had him in there for over a year and he's very active. I always thought of him as being beneficial in cleaning out waste from the sand. My new tank will have a fuge but i have been buying pods from a local distributor to ensure a good supply as they don't seem to adequately produce in my current tank. Never thought of the starfish as a problem.

04/27/2010, 08:44 PM	#4
a.stebel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Barrie Posts: 119	I would add a yellow tang. To me no reef is complete without a yellow tang. Would also add a royal dottyback. Great little fish that guests love the look of.

04/28/2010, 02:03 AM	#6
Lannyrx7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 96	Will Yellow Tangs and Sailfins get along though since they have similar body styles (both zebrasoma)?

04/28/2010, 02:01 PM	#8
angela1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Grove IL Posts: 136	Nice lists! You've got me thinking

04/28/2010, 02:37 PM	#9
anbosu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mount Juliet, TN Posts: 4,528	I am a big fan of anthias, especially in larger reef systems.

04/29/2010, 09:32 PM	#13
angela1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Grove IL Posts: 136	Your posts have given me a jump start on compatible fish I couldn't have in my smaller tank. Researching the possibilities is like making a Christmas wish list. Still setting up this monster tank but thanks for giving me a jump start at some new and interestsing fish to research!