120g Stocking List Critiques

[BadMagnificentFirefish]

Hello all!
I’m in the process of upgrading to a new 120g tank, 48”x24”x24”. The tank I want is currently on back order locally, so I’m just filling my time with research prior to setting anything up. My stocking goal is a mixed reef with a mix of smaller, peaceful community fish. Filtration will consist of a 29g sump with socks, 5lbs of wild rubble from TBS, and a Simplicity 120DC skimmer.
Here are some photos of the current hard scape plan.

Currently, I have a small bangaii cardinal and a blue/green chromis in a smaller tank. They would be the first inhabitants moved over, with the remaining stock being added in the following phases to mitigate potential issues.

Phase 1 (existing stock)
Bangaii cardinal
Blue/green chromis

Phase 2
Red firefish
Yellow watchman goby/tiger pistol shrimp
Royal gramma

Phase 3
Ocellaris clown pair

Phase 4
Fairy/flasher wrasse (Not settled on species yet, depends on what I can find locally. I want the tank to be well established before I add one though.)

Phase 5
Mandarin dragonet (Tank will have been running for at least a year before I consider this addition.)

Phase 6
Marine betta (I want this to be the last addition, to reduce any chances of it deciding a smaller fish looks appealing.)

All told, this makes 10 fish, most of which will stay around 3-4” at maturity.

Does anyone foresee compatibility issues or have other comments? Thanks!

 

[Subsea]

Your compatibility list is fine with a very light bioload.

I think your rock work is sparse for pod hiding places. And you have several very efficient Copepod consumers.

 

[BadMagnificentFirefish]

Yeah, I was questioning the wisdom of the mandarin. What other pod pickers do I have on the list, the wrasse and the firefish?

I should also mention that I’m seeding the sand bed with 10lbs of ocean live sand from TBS. I also have a good local supplier for pods and phyto.

I would prefer not to give up the mandarin. It’s the fish that first drew me into the saltwater hobby, and I’ve never before had a tank where I could even consider it an option. But I do want it to be fat and happy as well.

 

[BadMagnificentFirefish]

Yeah, I’ll try to prepare for a mandarin. Will be prepared to rehome if necessary.

I’ve heard good things about GLR as well! Both seem like good companies.

 

[ogbounceman]

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