180 Gallon Stocking

[Chef Mateo]

Hi, I'm looking to have my first reef tank and I've done plenty of research but, would like to know your guys opinions on having certain fish in my tank. (I did have another post for 120 but, decided to switch to 180. It will be a 180. This tank will be more of a minimalist approach with only a few corals for this big of a tank although, I will have enough live rock for a dragonet. Each fish will be added month by month. I added the length in inches to the end of each fish.

No matter what getting:
2 Designer Clowns (most likely frostbite or snowflake) - 3"
1 Dragonet/Mandarin Goby (I understand the feeding challenges will try to purchase one already eating flake or frozen but, will get pods if not) - 4"
1 Green Clown Goby (could be cut from this list but, would love him) - 1.75"
1 Fairy Wrasse (most likely orange-back fairy wrasse, substitutes could be velvet multicolor, ruby head or bluehead) - 3.5", 5.5", 5", 5"

Inverts (I am getting):
Banded Coral Shrimp (would probably be this or flame hawkfish sadly)
Blood Red Fire Shrimp (same as above)
Tuxedo Urchin
Turban Snail
Nassarius Snail
Hermit Crabs (possibly depending on fish)

Corals/Anemones (I am getting):
Zoanthids (3 Types)
Spotted Mushroom (2)
Green Toadstool Mushroom Leather
Green Star Polyp
Long Tentacle Anemone (2)

Interested in:
Flame Hawkfish (was on my first stocking list but removed him because of my inverts but, would love 1) -4"
Flame Angelfish (again was on my stocking list just worried about reef compatibility) -4"
Dwarf Fuzzy Lion (not really sure bout this one just like the look but, there are a lot of risks) -7"
Other Reef Safe Wrasses (love the look of many of them just wouldn't want them to eat my inverts) -3"-7"
I do specifically like the Dusky Wrasse (but, am unsure of inverts and coral with that one)
Latticed Butterfly (really love it but probably will eat my corals) - 6"
Any type of Firefish (more of a filler fish would get if my preferred options couldn't work) - 3"
Would love a tang such as (Blonde)Naso Tang, Powder Blue or Achilles
Chalk Bass (same conditions as firefish) - 3"
Also any reef safe triggers? Love Humu Humu but know they can't really be in a reef, don't wanna risk any inverts/coral for a trigger though.
Any other corals you guys recommend (probably would only add 1-2 more for my list).

Any more suggestions would be awesome Thank You!

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!
@eatbreakfast he gave you good advice about stocking;)

 

[dwest]

Hi, I'm looking to have my first reef tank and I've done plenty of research but, would like to know your guys opinions on having certain fish in my tank. (I did have another post for 120 but, decided to switch to 180. It will be a 180. This tank will be more of a minimalist approach with only a few corals for this big of a tank although, I will have enough live rock for a dragonet. Each fish will be added month by month. I added the length in inches to the end of each fish.

No matter what getting:
2 Designer Clowns (most likely frostbite or snowflake) - 3"
1 Dragonet/Mandarin Goby (I understand the feeding challenges will try to purchase one already eating flake or frozen but, will get pods if not) - 4"
1 Green Clown Goby (could be cut from this list but, would love him) - 1.75"
1 Fairy Wrasse (most likely orange-back fairy wrasse, substitutes could be velvet multicolor, ruby head or bluehead) - 3.5", 5.5", 5", 5"

Inverts (I am getting):
Banded Coral Shrimp (would probably be this or flame hawkfish sadly)
Blood Red Fire Shrimp (same as above)
Tuxedo Urchin
Turban Snail
Nassarius Snail
Hermit Crabs (possibly depending on fish)

Corals/Anemones (I am getting):
Zoanthids (3 Types)
Spotted Mushroom (2)
Green Toadstool Mushroom Leather
Green Star Polyp
Long Tentacle Anemone (2)

Interested in:
Flame Hawkfish (was on my first stocking list but removed him because of my inverts but, would love 1) -4"
Flame Angelfish (again was on my stocking list just worried about reef compatibility) -4"
Dwarf Fuzzy Lion (not really sure bout this one just like the look but, there are a lot of risks) -7"
Other Reef Safe Wrasses (love the look of many of them just wouldn't want them to eat my inverts) -3"-7"
I do specifically like the Dusky Wrasse (but, am unsure of inverts and coral with that one)
Latticed Butterfly (really love it but probably will eat my corals) - 6"
Any type of Firefish (more of a filler fish would get if my preferred options couldn't work) - 3"
Would love a tang such as (Blonde)Naso Tang, Powder Blue or Achilles
Chalk Bass (same conditions as firefish) - 3"
Also any reef safe triggers? Love Humu Humu but know they can't really be in a reef, don't wanna risk any inverts/coral for a trigger though.
Any other corals you guys recommend (probably would only add 1-2 more for my list).

Any more suggestions would be awesome Thank You!

A yellow tang or 3 would be good algae eaters for your tank size. I have a 180 and don’t think it’s large enough for a Naso. Never had a powder blue or Achilles. I would keep star polyps and mushrooms on their own dedicated rocks that are not connected to other rocks. Mine soon became problems as they smothered out other corals as they multiplied. Lastly, I’ve have more long term success with bubble tips rather LTA’s. Good luck.

 

[Chef Mateo]

A yellow tang or 3 would be good algae eaters for your tank size. I have a 180 and don’t think it’s large enough for a Naso. Never had a powder blue or Achilles. I would keep star polyps and mushrooms on their own dedicated rocks that are not connected to other rocks. Mine soon became problems as they smothered out other corals as they multiplied. Lastly, I’ve have more long term success with bubble tips rather LTA’s. Good luck.

I was looking at yellow tangs already and I do like them. Would 3 + my current stock list be too much for a 180? I do agree with the naso as they are very big I was just referencing liveaquaria.
I will probably go with a bubble tip anemone thanks for your info.

 

[dwest]

I think 3 plus your must have fish are fine. Just go slow. Always quarantine. You will regret not quarantining your fish... mostly, read a lot and have fun!

 

[Chef Mateo]

I think 3 plus your must have fish are fine. Just go slow. Always quarantine. You will regret not quarantining your fish... mostly, read a lot and have fun!

Thanks again do you think I could quarantine the 3 tangs in a 30 for a couple of weeks while they're small. Just wondering since that is the only current tank I have will get a bigger for quarantine if I must.

 

[dwest]

Thanks again do you think I could quarantine the 3 tangs in a 30 for a couple of weeks while they're small. Just wondering since that is the only current tank I have will get a bigger for quarantine if I must.

I have used a 29 gallon for very small tangs. You may need to separate them. I use egg crate for that. Be sure to have a good biological filter going and check for ammonia often. I use the sea chem badge for ammonia. There are lots of good threads on quarantine that you should check out first. You will likely need to medicate tangs. Again, check out the threads.

 

[Chef Mateo]

I have used a 29 gallon for very small tangs. You may need to separate them. I use egg crate for that. Be sure to have a good biological filter going and check for ammonia often. I use the sea chem badge for ammonia. There are lots of good threads on quarantine that you should check out first. You will likely need to medicate tangs. Again, check out the threads.

K thanks

 

[Chef Mateo]

I have used a 29 gallon for very small tangs. You may need to separate them. I use egg crate for that. Be sure to have a good biological filter going and check for ammonia often. I use the sea chem badge for ammonia. There are lots of good threads on quarantine that you should check out first. You will likely need to medicate tangs. Again, check out the threads.

I have heard and seen that having multiple tangs wouldn't work too well, these guys do seem more peaceful have you had luck with multiple tangs.
Thanks

 

[Chef Mateo]

Ok after a couple of days of research I've decided my stocking they're shouldn't be any compatibility problems. Please tell me of I'm overstocking or understocking.
Here is the list:

Fish:
Mandarin Goby/Dragonet (I understand the difficulty should be ably to get frozen fed one)
Green Clown Goby or Citron Clown Goby
2 Designer Clownfish (1 frostbite paired with either black ice snowflake, longfin or naked)
3 Yellow Tang
Starry Blenny
5 Fairy Wrasses (all peaceful) Exquisite, Pintail, Golden Rhomboid, Orange Back and Pink Margin

Inverts:
Coral Banded Shrimp(Will he attack my smaller shrimp?, have heard bad things)
Blood Red Fire Shrimp
5 Sexy Shrimp
20 Trochus Snail
2 Nassarius Snail
1 Tuxedo Urchin

Corals:
2-3 Zoanthids
Spotted Mushroom
Green Star Polyp (does grow fast will isolate)
2 Bubble-tip Anemones
1 Acropora
1 Euphyllia

Thanks!