33G Mixed Reef Stocking Ideas

[sonoransurvivalist]

Hey everyone, just looking to get an opinion from those more experienced than I on this. I've got a 33 gallon tank that's a little over 3 months old. 2 clownfish, 2 bangai cardinals, and a fire red cleaner shrimp. My current filtering includes the nanomat roller, skimmer, and UV sterilizer, the skimmer is running incredibly dry, mostly just serving as a way to increase aeration and stabilize PH. I've also been seeding copepods into the tank regularly, and added in some amphipods yesterday. Clean up crew consists of 15 Cerith snails, 6 Astrea Snails, and 3 Nassarius Vibex. There is no aggression in the tank despite my larger clown biting me every time I put my hand in the tank, everyone gets along.

Parameters are stable -
1.025 salinity
temp bounces between 78.5 and 79.5, never deviates.
PH - 8.2
Alk - 9
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
Phosphates - 0 (I'm actually dosing .06ppm daily to try and increase phosphates, this is most likely due to the dry rocks used when setting up the tank)

So, back to the question - I have 4 fish in the tank now, planning to add a blenny (haven't decided on which yet, but leaning towards a bicolor blenny) and a 6 line wrasse. I'm wondering if there might be any room to add anything additional. My LFS seems to think I can, like a long nose hawkfish, royal gramma, or firefish. Bioload seems to very capable with the current load to a point where I've actually increased the volume of food going into the tank twice a day to try and increase nitrate and phosphate levels.

 

[jackintheboxfish]

I think it will be okay to add the blenny as long as there’s enough rocks to break line of sight and create hiding spots. Never had a 6 line so prolly need input from other reefers but I heard they might get aggressive

One cautionary note is ime most LFS to land a sale will push the limits of stocking for the sake of sales. Think paying attention to your own filtration is a better gauge

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

I think it will be okay to add the blenny as long as there’s enough rocks to break line of sight and create hiding spots. Never had a 6 line so prolly need input from other reefers but I heard they might get aggressive

One cautionary note is ime most LFS to land a sale will push the limits of stocking for the sake of sales. Think paying attention to your own filtration is a better gauge

Thanks, I figured as much regarding the LFS being a bit more aggressive on stocking. In regards to the filtration, I've taken this quite slowly to ensure there's no cycle stalling happening when a new fish gets introduced and seeing the downward trends in nitrate and untraceable phosphates, I'm thinking there's quite a lot of headroom with the current filtration. Really, I think it's going to come down to aggression from over crowding, which is what I want to avoid. That's also why the 6 line wrasse is going in last.. I've read that is the best way to keep them from becoming a bully.

 

[Zionas]

I think you could add the Blenny but I’d personally skip the Six-Line Wrasse. You don’t want to push the bioload too much, and compatibility wise the Blenny is better than the Six-Line when it comes to the latter’s potential for aggression.

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

I think you could add the Blenny but I’d personally skip the Six-Line Wrasse. You don’t want to push the bioload too much, and compatibility wise the Blenny is better than the Six-Line when it comes to the latter’s potential for aggression.

I ended up going with a tailspot blenny as they'll stay relatively smaller compared to the starry or lawnmower, and instead of the sixline I'm looking for a possum wrasse.

 

[kevgib67]

I had 7 fish in my 32g for over 4 years including a 6 sixline and royal gramma. I think it depends on the fish and feeding. You might want to consider a diamond goby or twinspot gobie to keep your sand clean as well. I’m not saying you should have 7 fish but if done right fiveish would probably work well for you.

 

[Mike.]

I have a 32G, I have a longnose hawk fish, spotted mandarin, 2 clowns and a lawnmower blenny.

Also have 2 peppermint shrimp and everyone loves their life.