Stocking levels

Blinky · 01-14-2006, 11:15 AM

I know, I know, another 'how many fish will fit in my tank?' thread. I've been reading so many conflicting posts (on RC mostly) about just how much is appropriate for a tank the size of mine, so I have to ask. I know there's no magic formula and it depends on the type of fish, not just their size, I just want to make sure I'm okay.

My tank is a 36" x 18" x 24"H 65g FOWLR with 65lbs of LR, 70lbs of live sand (50 dry seeded with 20 live), a Prizm skimmer, an XP2 canister filter, 2 MJ 1200 PHs, with lots of Caulerpa and some Xenia for nutrient export.

Current stock:
Fish:
1 - Chrysiptera taupou South Seas devil damsel
1 - Pseudochromis aldabrensis neon dottyback
2 - Valenciennea sexguttata six-spot sleeper gobies (pair)
1 - Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus hawkfish
1 - Apolemichthys trimaculatus three-spot angel
Plus a cleanup crew of around 30 snails and 15 hermits (mostly mini bluelegs, some scarlets, two huge electric blues and an electric orange)

The tank is still new, I'm not looking to add anything now (the stock only went in this fast because some of these guys were birthday presents) but I'd just like to confirm that the tank isn't going to explode some time in the near future! All the fish are tiny now, it doesn't look like much, but I know the angel and the gobies will get fairly big. Anyone think we could push it and add a pair of Oscellaris clowns later? Everyone looks at the tank and wants to know where Nemo is

.

mysis · 01-14-2006, 11:09 PM

i got a 40 gallon, i am putting in 5 fish tops. but i got a reef aswell. i think you have enough in their IMO.

Swimfins · 01-15-2006, 9:13 AM

I'd say a pair of ocellaris is not overkill, Blinky. I know your vigilant about maintenance and water changes, filtration etc. I'd wait a bit and go for it later. As for reefcentral, there is alot of trouble and many knowledgeable people have left there (Dr. Ron

) and moved to for Marine Depot Forums. Many people from Marne Supply Canada have also left reefcentral. (One person complained about 4 tangs in a 90g tank of the month at reefcentral and was almost banned. It seems because this tank is a 'reefcentral' pick its above criticism!)
Blinky: Anthony Calfo (of wetwebmedia) will be speaking in Toronto!
Ocellaris are tiniest and I'm sure would be fine. By the way at Garf, they keep a sailfin tang and purple tang in a 55g without problems, so my yellow tang is staying lol .... Keep water clean and use common sense is what I say!

Blinky · 01-15-2006, 9:39 AM

Something definitely going on over there at RC, I must say - Dr. Ron is gone, Bomber (the greatest advocate for running tanks BB I've ever seen) has left, others too I think. If Eric Borneman leaves, the whole thing might just fall apart! Anthony Calfo is there as well as on wwm, but I'd love to see him in person rather than just in print. Tell me more!

As I said I'm not looking to add anything NOW, that would just be playing with fire. Everyone is doing really well, I don't want to upset the balance, and will let the tank settle for a while before doing anything else. I was just wondering if it might work in the future; I don't miss her killing things, but I do miss my maroon for her funny antics. Makes me want a clown but maybe one with a much smaller death:funny ratio

Swimfins · 01-15-2006, 11:06 PM

Ya I agree with the go-slow method. I'm going through a bit of a green algae phase at the moment so I'll water change regular and keep an eye on things as it is. Tango the yt is doing beautifully eating formula one and nori from a clip at the top. He knows me and comes to the glass and flutters like a bird (big bird!) for my attention. Gets along fine with the gang. (orange lyretail anthias, 2 tomato clowns, and argus wrasse) I'd love a gold head sleeper goby (or 2!) but alas no more room at the inn. Perhaps a red scooter blenny a bit later????? Gotta watch things for now. I bought 25 pounds of base rock and am letting it go live. Its a bit dust covered covered already (might just be cyano) not sure. Might add a few more pounds to the system and work on a hot cpr refuge soon. Needs new seio ph's too and thinking MH pendant tooooooo.
Needs to work OT a bit

(just thinking out loud)
I'll get the date for Anthony Calfo........

mysis · 01-15-2006, 11:30 PM

Calfo is also on reef fronteirs,

I still think that you will need heavy skimming/water changes to maintain low nitrate Levels, and i would definately do higher water changes.

As for you wanting a glodhead sleaper goby swimfins, i strongly recommend you do not get one. i have one in my 40 gallon, and i am sure his constant digging is the cause for my high nitrate lvls, because he is moving so much sand, i think my sand has no anerobic bacteria and is not producing a nitrifying bacteria. so my plan is put in a lot more LR and minimize his area for digging and i am also thinking of getting a Berlin classic Skimmer Hang-ON for my 40 gallon, so hopefully the skimmer will be big enough, it is rated for a 250 gallon so i'm hoping. other than that the goby is very peacful, eats from my hand and eats anything. Another reason i can tell you not to get one, is the tank gets covered with sand all over the rocks etc. and brain corals do get covered quite a bit, but this year the fish will be going into a 7 footer, and hopefully, the impact from his digging will not impact the system.

mogurnda · 01-16-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

If Eric Borneman leaves, the whole thing might just fall apart!

He's gone. He, Anthony and Ron are all over at the marine depot site now.

As far as your stocking, it is about as much as I would add, especially in such a new tank, but I wouldn't call it over stuffed. These days, you can get flamed on RC for almost anything.

Blinky · 01-16-2006, 6:01 PM

Thanks Dave, much appreciated. I did think it was close to the limit, just wanted to see if something else might work in a couple months.

What the heck happened over at RC, all the big fish have left the pond! I guess I have a new forum to check out

You're entirely right about the flaming, holy moly - the tang police are on duty 24/7 and you can't mention sand or barebottom systems without starting a fight. Come to think of it, I posted asking if anyone else has a flagfin angel (I was just looking for tips on feeding and generally keeping him happy) and was promptly told I'd need a larger tank. Maybe someday, but he's less than two inches long and I don't think he's suffering ATM, lol. Loads of good info there, but it's much more friendly and homey over here

reefrash · 01-16-2006, 7:06 PM

I might risk the ocellaris provided a very large skimmer is employed. Otherwise go with what you got, and spend all your money on inverts and coral!!!!!

All that junk over at RC sent me to greener pastures (here for one). This hobby as we know, has a lot of grey areas. If everyone tries to help each other it's a lot more fun

Blinky · 01-16-2006, 10:43 PM

Reefrash - good idea, but since I've got a hawkfish my options for inverts are a little limited. I definitely won't try shrimp (they'd likely be awfully expensive snacks), and I figure I might lose some of the hermits that are already in the tank. Corals are pretty much out because of the angel, though I might try a few inexpensive frags. He's leaving the Xenia alone so far, but he's just a little guy and might change his tastes as he ages

The skimmer is... how do I say it... not the best. It's the Prizm deluxe I initially bought for my nano. I used it for about a month, and then decided to upgrade to a Remora. When I converted the 65g, most of the spare cash went for rock, so we're using the Prizm, since it was just lying around anyway. It's pulling some nasty gunk, but nowhere near what a really good skimmer would. In a few paycheques I may upgrade to something like a Remora Pro; as you say, probably a good idea to get a good skimmer on there before even thinking of adding more fish.