Hello AC members! Boy, has it been a long time since I've been on here!
I have contemplated doing a reef aquarium twice now. Once, 4 years ago (and spent a non refundable $800 at the LFS on equipment that I didn't need to decide to do a freshwater tank instead -_-) and a couple years back as well. This time, I finally feel ready and more confident to actual go through with it. I've been researching a lot, and bought a few books too.
This is my plan so far
I've narrowed it down between a 4 ft 75 gallon, or a 6ft 85 gallon long (if I can find one again on craigslist. There have been multiple ones recently, but we have to wait til we finish moving to get one). The 85 is a bit narrow compared to a 75 gallon (15"), but given that all my fish will be under 5," I think the extra 2 feet of swimming space would be appreciated.
I'm going to set it up with the corals and inverts first, and let it sit for 72 days, so I don't have to QT every single coral and invert. I don't plan on adding for fish for at least 4-6+ months AFTER the cycle (will use pure ammonia or fish food) has been complete, I want the corals to grow a bit before adding fish.
It will have sand, and I plan to buy ~100lbs of dead rock and no live rock. I have no problem waiting longer for it to cycle.
I plan to have a 20 gallon long QT tank.
After the 72+ day mark since anything new (coral/invert) has been added to the aquarium, I will get my first fish, and put them in the QT tank for ~10 weeks to make sure they are parasite and disease free. I probably will give all fish prazipro, whether they are sick or not, as that seems to be recommended.
Here is my fish stock list (all fish will be gotten from fellow reefers or craigslist):
~1 Six line wrasse (I'm aware they have to be added last, and can be terrors. Along with they typically hate any fish added after them.)
~1 Coral beauty angelfish (I'm aware they can be known to nip corals. )
~2 Ocellaris Clownfish
~1-4 Green Chromis (I know they are popular for dwindling down to just one, I plan to get a group that has been living together for at least 6 months and feed 3x a day).
Invert wise:
~Nassarius and cerith sp snails, and one conch snail
Possible additions I'd love to have:
~2-4 scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (I've heard from someone that the six line wrasse would eat them, but I see multiple videos and stocking lists where people have them together. I've also read that they like to live in groups)
~2-4 dwarf blue leg hermit crab (I'm worried about them killing snails for their shells though. If I provided an abundance of prime shells, would they be an okay addition?)
What order would you add the fish?
I was thinking:
1st-1-4 green chromis
*wait 1-2 months*
2nd-Coral beauty angelfish
*wait 1-2 months*
3rd- Ocellaris clownfish and 6 line wrasse (will find someone who has all three together already)
Coral wise, I mainly want softies (mushrooms, cauliflower coral, sinularia, blue glove polyps, toadstool mushroom leather) and LPS (bubble, torch, hammer).
I do want ONE hard stony branching (sps) coral for the green chromis, as I've read they sleep in the branches at night. Any recommendations on an *easy/hard to kill* branching sps coral that comes in blue/green, pink, or purple coloration?
Also, I'm very aware that not many recommend green chromis, or six line wrasses. For some reason, I adore them both to pieces. That's why I'm planning to find someone rehoming theirs on craigslist or a fellow reefer. I figure I have the best chance with the chromis if I get a pair or group that's already been living together for at least 6 months, and with the sixline if I find one that's been kept with a variety of other fish and add last/make my final livestock addition.
Lastly, what would my stocking levels be? Understocked? Overstocked?
Thanks so much!
I have contemplated doing a reef aquarium twice now. Once, 4 years ago (and spent a non refundable $800 at the LFS on equipment that I didn't need to decide to do a freshwater tank instead -_-) and a couple years back as well. This time, I finally feel ready and more confident to actual go through with it. I've been researching a lot, and bought a few books too.
This is my plan so far
I've narrowed it down between a 4 ft 75 gallon, or a 6ft 85 gallon long (if I can find one again on craigslist. There have been multiple ones recently, but we have to wait til we finish moving to get one). The 85 is a bit narrow compared to a 75 gallon (15"), but given that all my fish will be under 5," I think the extra 2 feet of swimming space would be appreciated.
I'm going to set it up with the corals and inverts first, and let it sit for 72 days, so I don't have to QT every single coral and invert. I don't plan on adding for fish for at least 4-6+ months AFTER the cycle (will use pure ammonia or fish food) has been complete, I want the corals to grow a bit before adding fish.
It will have sand, and I plan to buy ~100lbs of dead rock and no live rock. I have no problem waiting longer for it to cycle.
I plan to have a 20 gallon long QT tank.
After the 72+ day mark since anything new (coral/invert) has been added to the aquarium, I will get my first fish, and put them in the QT tank for ~10 weeks to make sure they are parasite and disease free. I probably will give all fish prazipro, whether they are sick or not, as that seems to be recommended.
Here is my fish stock list (all fish will be gotten from fellow reefers or craigslist):
~1 Six line wrasse (I'm aware they have to be added last, and can be terrors. Along with they typically hate any fish added after them.)
~1 Coral beauty angelfish (I'm aware they can be known to nip corals. )
~2 Ocellaris Clownfish
~1-4 Green Chromis (I know they are popular for dwindling down to just one, I plan to get a group that has been living together for at least 6 months and feed 3x a day).
Invert wise:
~Nassarius and cerith sp snails, and one conch snail
Possible additions I'd love to have:
~2-4 scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (I've heard from someone that the six line wrasse would eat them, but I see multiple videos and stocking lists where people have them together. I've also read that they like to live in groups)
~2-4 dwarf blue leg hermit crab (I'm worried about them killing snails for their shells though. If I provided an abundance of prime shells, would they be an okay addition?)
What order would you add the fish?
I was thinking:
1st-1-4 green chromis
*wait 1-2 months*
2nd-Coral beauty angelfish
*wait 1-2 months*
3rd- Ocellaris clownfish and 6 line wrasse (will find someone who has all three together already)
Coral wise, I mainly want softies (mushrooms, cauliflower coral, sinularia, blue glove polyps, toadstool mushroom leather) and LPS (bubble, torch, hammer).
I do want ONE hard stony branching (sps) coral for the green chromis, as I've read they sleep in the branches at night. Any recommendations on an *easy/hard to kill* branching sps coral that comes in blue/green, pink, or purple coloration?
Also, I'm very aware that not many recommend green chromis, or six line wrasses. For some reason, I adore them both to pieces. That's why I'm planning to find someone rehoming theirs on craigslist or a fellow reefer. I figure I have the best chance with the chromis if I get a pair or group that's already been living together for at least 6 months, and with the sixline if I find one that's been kept with a variety of other fish and add last/make my final livestock addition.
Lastly, what would my stocking levels be? Understocked? Overstocked?
Thanks so much!