Looking For Help Stocking

[Nix]

Hello, last night I was given a 65 gallon hexagon acrylic tank with about a 100 gallon sump.

He gave me most of the equipment, so its just a matter of setting the thing up. (and remodeling)

I figure I might as well start planning a head a bit then, and look into what kind of stocking options I would want.


The only certainty would be a pair of percula clowns, one of which I already have in my 20 gallon.


After that, I have no idea what I want.

Please please please please, throw some suggestions out for me.

 

[Crazy fishes]

Are you aware that you are likely to have a problem with aggression on the front of the clown fish if you only have one then place another in? You need to place them in together or apparently they fight over territory. Firefish are lovely little fish really colourful, good temperament and relatively small. Dwarf angels maybe are another option relatively small and really colourful............. Actually if you told us the diameter and depth of the tank and the type of tank you want to keep then that helps guide to what fish (and if wanted corals and other critters) you can keep. What lighting and filters are you using and will you have a refugium? How much live rock and coral sand are you having? The system you have governs the live stock you can keep.

Regards

 

[Nix]

Yeah sorry I was going to go into more detail but I was in a hurry earlier. I'm not really sure about the dimensions of the tank, so I'll have to get back with you on that. (although keep in mind its a 65 gallon hexagon)

The "sump" is essentially a horse watering tub, modified with plumbing, I'm actually thinking it probably holds a bit over 150 gallons. Basically I'm planning on having it as a giant refugium, sump combo. Lots of live rock, cheato, and I've got some acrylic boxes that currently have bio balls in them, but I plan on using rock rubble. Eventually I'll get a decent skimmer.

I am planning on keeping corals, and probably filling the tank quite a bit with live rock, probably between 60-80 pounds, maybe more.

Lights I haven't quite figured out what I am going to do yet.

I kinda want a mandarin..

The clowns will be added together, one coming from the store (or quarantine tank), the other from my existing tank, he won't have an established territory in the new tank.

I'd also like to keep it shrimp/snail/what have you, safe.

 

[Musho3210]

you seem to be on track, just make sure your new clown is smaller than the current clown, to stay on the safe side.

Astraea and Tronchus are the two favorite snails of all reefers, turbos are great too but can get a bit big and are bulldozers (may knock corals over)

 

[SkiFletch]

you seem to be on track, just make sure your new clown is smaller than the current clown, to stay on the safe side.

Astraea and Tronchus are the two favorite snails of all reefers, turbos are great too but can get a bit big and are bulldozers (may knock corals over)

Agree with Musho. If you can, get a clownfish from a "litter" and try and get a smaller one from the litter. This will ensure you have a sexually immature clownfish which should pair up with your current. If you're unable to find a "true" percula (a stigma that kind of makes me frustrated, but another argument entirely), you can add an ocellaris or a hybrid as well.

We'll really need dimensions before we can reccomend other fish for ya

 

[Nix]

Right, I completely understand.

The tank is currently out in my yard, waiting for me to finishing cleaning it out.

I ran out there, and measured it in the dark real quick, its 4 feet long.

I know my mother is going to be asking for a yellow tang, but I was thinking more along the lines of a Kole tang, but would a yellow work?

^^^^^ Not my tank, a googled example.

Thats what it looks like, but 4 feet long. (it is also a straight back)

 

[SkiFletch]

Ah, I know what tank you're talking about, my LFS has one of those. Its more of a trapezoid, not a hexagon I know I know, I spent too much time in gemoetry class

Not a bad tank, but definitely on the smaller side for a Tang. Sure you could probably squeeze one in there, but I'd be worried about its' long-term health

 

[Crazy fishes]

The recommended tank size for a yellow tang is 70-80 gallons minimum; part of the reason lies in that they are very active and like to dart about. Most people would stay treat them like a regal tang (much bigger fish but not so 'whipy'). You do still have a lot of fish to choose from, think: dwarf angels, wrasse, clowns, firefish, jawfish, royal gramma etc so you have a lot of choice and they all stay relatively small < 5-6 inches. Remember starfish are an option as are urchins, seahares and various shrimps fire shrimp, peppermint, skunk cleaner shrimp, piston shrimp and their symbiotic bubby's the yellow watchman goby. Snails and crabs are options but not to forget the brilliance of the corals you can keep (lighting dependent). Why not go for halides two 150-250W units, on the cheap this can be achieved by using garden halide units and changing the bulbs to aquarium bulbs.

Regards

 

[Nix]

Well, a 75 gallon is going to be about the same length.

Regardless, I think a Kole tang would be more appropriate anyways.

 

[SkiFletch]

A Kole would be a better choice than a YT, but still not an ideal tank size. Realistically, if you're only going to keep the tank/fish combo (before you upgrade or get bored of the hobby) for a few years it might be OK. I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it. As Crazy fishes mentioned, there are many other options out there.

Having said that, do take care when cleaning this tank. Acrylic is VERY easy to scratch. Do NOT use metal abrasives (steel wool, steel scrapers) and take care even with plastic abrasives that you rinse them often when cleaning to make sure you don't get too much sand or calcium built up in them which can scatch the surface. Don't be afraid to be liberal with the vinegar when trying to clean it of any calcium deposits. Put some on there, let it soak in, and then try and clean it off. If you have access to stronger acids like Muriatic, Hydrochloric, or Sulfuric acid (wear gloves and dilute 1/2 if you choose these), feel free to use those on calcium deposits. Rinse thoroughly and you'll be fine.

 

[Musho3210]

I agree, skip the tang, you still have dozens and dozens of options fish wise. If you like the tangy look, dwarf angels are pretty tang looking (in my opinion, im sure many would disagree though).

In addition to crazy fishes post, any shrimp goby (i forget the two genus names or whatever) may pair up with a pistol shrimp, not just the yellow watchman, just the yellow watchman is one of the most common ones to find. Other things you could look into are blennys, hawkfish, chromis, mandarin/scooters (mature tank with large amount of pods and a large refugium, plus lots and lots of research) and more.

 

[Nix]

Thanks for the replies.

This is what I'm thinking of doing.

(added in this order)

4-6 green chromis

2 Clowns (percula)

Later on:
1 Green Mandarin

1 kole tang?

 

[Nix]

Fyi it is a hexagon tank,

4 foot long, 2 feet wide, 16" tall.