View Full Version : New Reef Tank
Elliott Wright
11-09-2003, 2:54 PM
Hi, I will soon be setting up a new reef tank it will be 3 and a half feet long and will be 55 gallons in depth my stocking list is below
if you see any potential problems with this mix please dont hesitate to let me know because i dont want to make any stupid
mistakes
.1 purple tang
.1 coral beauty
.1 pair of clowns either maroon or percula
.1 black cap gramma
Inverts
.1 Boxing shrimp
.loads of Hermit crabs
.Blue star fish
bubble tip anemone
clams
various hard and soft corals
thanks
Hi Elliott - the first thing that comes to mind is that a 55g tank is too small for a tang...expecially if it's only 3.5' long.
Next thought would be about the clams and anemone. What type of lighting are you planning to have over the tank? Is this your first marine tank, or do you already have prior experience with clams, anemones and starfish?
agree'd with gcvt on the tang. if you read the thread 10gal QT it has gotten somewhat heated over the discussion of putting Tangs in smaller tanks. A few or for putting tangs in, a few against it. I am one of the people that is against it.
The rest of your list sounds good depending on lighting. Which brings up another point about the the black cap gramma (i believe the same as black cap bassalet as I know them) they are deeper water fish and some say they do better in slightly lower light tanks. I'm sure they would adapt though. but it's a consideration.
mogurnda
11-10-2003, 9:10 AM
As posted above, success with the anemone and clams will depend on lighting. If you haven't done clams before, try a hippopus or squamosa first. They are tougher and a lot less demanding of light.
Blue linckia stars can be extremely finicky. This should be added after the tank has been running stably for quite a while. I have never tried them, but have seen them respond to stress by turning to mush in LFS tanks and those of fellow reefers. It's also critical to get healthy livestock at the start.
Other stars, such as serpent stars are much easier, and can be very endearing.
I'd avoid the Linkia all together. They're beautiful critters, but they are very fragile. They seldom survive acclimation.
Also, the tang in a 3' tank isn't going to work.
The Coral Beauty, while being an EXCELLENT choice in Angels and one that I personally have, will be hit or miss with your coral plans. Angels can sometimes (read: often) be nibblers on corals. You might get one that never touches it, yet you might get one that destroys it.
Elliott Wright
11-10-2003, 10:49 AM
thanks for the replies i am going to get powerful metal halide lighting
which my dealer tells me is good enough for clams and anemones
i have had great success with blue and red linkia Stars in the past
even living up to 2 years! i have a 2 inch purple tang and a 1 inch
coral beauty already in my 30 gallon tank which have been doing well for 6 months and im sure they will appreaciate more space
to themselves in a new tank
can you tell me some good hard corals?
whats the best anemone?
by the way the coral beauty has been living with corals in my old tank and he doesnt seem to bother them
Many Thanks
Elliott Wright
11-13-2003, 3:32 AM
how long will i be able to keep my purple tang for before i have take it back to my LFS he is only 2 inches at the moment also can you give an order in which to stock my fish (check list in other post)one more question how long do i have to wait before adding my Inverts
many thanks