reef tank fish?

[jtburf]

i'm looking to set up a 50g tall reef tank, it will be my first venture into the World of saltwater. Soo I do not have a clue of what corals will do good under 7.68 Wpg, and are easy to keep\not toxic to other corals. also what fish are good, here is a list of what I thought might work.


Domino Damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus
Maroon clownfish Premnas biaculeatus
Coral Beauty centropyge bispinosus
Firefish Nemateleotris magnifica
Flame Hawkfish Neocirrhitus armatus
Horseface Blenny Ophioblennius atlanticus

What combonation of these fish would like a reef setting best, I plan on making no live rock visible.(I hope) I really like the ones in red.

[ChangDriX]

http://www.aquacon.com/reefsafefish.html (http://www.aquacon.com/reefsafefish.html)

pretty good site

[jtburf]

thats a really cool site thanks, i am kinda worried about the bioload and don't want to overstock it because it is only a 50 gallon here is the tank size.

36" by 18" by 17"tall

I havent gotten the tank but hope to start getting the tank and equipment this coming spring or so, I just whant to have a plan on what to do.

[SquirrelOsO]

mushroom corals are the easiest and do well in dimmer tanks
sun coral also, actually grows under caves, so bright lighting isnt needed, but its a needy coral. it requires to be hand fed mysis and other meaty treats several times per week

id drop the coral beauty. 36" long is kinda short for this active swimmer.
the firefish are a bit docile and might get his booty whipped by the maroon clown and/or damsel

dominoes are insane, they are one of the most aggressive damsels. there are other damsels that would make a better fit, three stripe, sulfur, yellow tail...

dominoes also get pretty fugly with age, fading out to a dull ugly grey black, not that cute fish you see in stores now

maroons are a toss up, ive had mean ones and passive ones

flame hawks are funny, non aggressive, just not safe with inverts

[jtburf]

would a humbug damsle fork better? I also like flame angles, and lions but I am scared of getting stung by one..., also I would like to keep a porcelean crab and maybe some others.

[Grins]

Damsels in general are aggressive. Hardy, yet are known terrors. May I ask why you're looking at a tall versus a long tank? You'll have less options with the tall.

[jtburf]

I mainly want this to be a reef tank with shelves and such and it is 36" wide so it will fit without me using the space for the 240 gallon I want for a Frontosa colony. i know they are generally agresive, but are they Physco?
I mainly want the coral to be the main part of the tank, but would like some small fish.

[Grins]

Basically they are one of the most aggressive of a very aggressive family. That maroon is as well by the way. Good chance either will harrass the others on your list.

[jtburf]

well does anyone have ideas that will coexist with firefish, horseface blenny, amd a flame angel? that does not even remotly think coral is food and will still look nice.

[Grins]

Are you wanting shrimp or clams?

[archer772]

What type of lighting do you have WPG doesnt really say much. Just about all angels have a chance to turn to coral munching anmd I would stay away from the damsels

[jtburf]

ok the will either be 3 or 4 ahsupply 96w PC kitts. I do want shrimp and inverts, I really don't need the fish they would just be nice.

[archer772]

If you want inverts then forget about any Hawks

[jtburf]

should I just ditch the larger fish and go with firefish and smaller clowns?

[archer772]

I am sure everybody already knows that I am not a big fan of PC's but I do like the T-5's so you might want to look into them if you havent bought your lights already they really are much better than PC's

[archer772]

I would go with clowns and maybe a gramma and a blenny

[jtburf]

Well, the lighting is not set in stone but I like the PC, although I might get this (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...t~CU01121.html) but I don't know.

[archer772]

Link doesnt work. I have never seen anybody unhappy with T-5's but if you like the PC's then by all means go with them but it might limit you with what you can keep under them. JMHO

[jtburf]

ok here it is (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1066195#post1066195). It is the second fixture in the post. Why does PC limit things?

[archer772]

If it is the light that there is a link to marine depot for then that is a T-5 light. PC's dont get you alot of par so higher light coral wouldnt do well but with the T-5's you would have much better success even with stonies and anenomes not to mention T-5's are cooler and cheaper to run and the bulbs last longer

[SquirrelOsO]

yeah i would re-think the whole restocking thing

clowns (not maroon or tomato) firefish, royal gramma, cardinal fish, gobies.
watch with that horse face blenny, they are and can be one of the more aggressive blennies. choose a goby and blenny mix with caution.
if your going to get a coral beauty make sure you have a ton of rock work with open spaces for swimming through, better yet for that small foot print of a tank id get a cherub angel instead.
my coral beauty after a year became vicious, she would attack everybody, especially the foxface that was much larger than her.
angels arent, well they arent angels lol

some peppermint shrimp, cleaner shrimp, hermits, snails, porcelain crabs and yep your all set :)

as for corals, a softee tank is the easiest

[jtburf]

Well what if I went with a horsface blenny, a coral beauty, and a Maroon. I really like the maroons, but i also like the Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish

[SquirrelOsO]

Well what if I went with a horsface blenny, a coral beauty, and a Maroon. I really like the maroons, but i also like the Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish

yes that will work

you can add a few green chromis even. if you like damsels (im a damsel fan!)
you can try a yellow tailed blue damsel or that humbug you mentioned. the humbugs are three striped damsels, its the same fish, ive kept them in community aquariums before and never had any trouble with them. he used to tiff with my cinamon clown but nothing major, it was all bluff.

i have an old black and white ocellaris
their cool, he looks like a baby orca whale :)