First Saltwater Tank Stocking Advice

[gsbrawley65]

I am setting up my first salt water tank. I've kept previous planted fresh water tanks (but its been about 5 years). My daughter is obsessed with nemo, so I'm using it to get back in to the hobby (this time salt water).

My plan is FOWLR saltwater aquarium with 75-gallon tank and a 39-gallon sump. The display tank dimensions are 35.4" x 23.6" x 19.7". I may covert to a reef tank at a later date.

My proposed Stocking List: 1 Flame Angelfish, 1 Azure Damselfish, 1 Chalk Bass, 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Midas Blenny, 1 McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse, 1 Yellow Watchman Goby + Pistol Shrimp pair, 1 Red Headed Solon Fairy Wrasse, 1 Neon Goby, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 8 Trochus Snails, 7 Cerith Snails, 5 Nassarius Snails, 3 dwarf hermit crabs.

I'll obviously stock slowly after cycling. However, this is my ultimate plan. So, I would love input to the extent this presents any issues.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

#reefsquad

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you might see some squabbling between the damsel and the clowns, possibly.

 

[tbrown]

I am setting up my first salt water tank. I've kept previous planted fresh water tanks (but its been about 5 years). My daughter is obsessed with nemo, so I'm using it to get back in to the hobby (this time salt water).

My plan is FOWLR saltwater aquarium with 75-gallon tank and a 39-gallon sump. The display tank dimensions are 35.4" x 23.6" x 19.7". I may covert to a reef tank at a later date.

My proposed Stocking List: 1 Flame Angelfish, 1 Azure Damselfish, 1 Chalk Bass, 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Midas Blenny, 1 McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse, 1 Yellow Watchman Goby + Pistol Shrimp pair, 1 Red Headed Solon Fairy Wrasse, 1 Neon Goby, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 8 Trochus Snails, 7 Cerith Snails, 5 Nassarius Snails, 3 dwarf hermit crabs.

I'll obviously stock slowly after cycling. However, this is my ultimate plan. So, I would love input to the extent this presents any issues.

Besides the Flame Angelfish (reef safe with caution) everything on your stocking list is reef safe. Any reason you wouldn't consider at least some easier corals? A lot of the Leathers and Mushrooms and even Zoanthids would be fairly well suited to this tank and would be a good source of nutrient export considering you've got a fairly heavy stocking bioload planned.

 

[gsbrawley65]

Besides the Flame Angelfish (reef safe with caution) everything on your stocking list is reef safe. Any reason you wouldn't consider at least some easier corals? A lot of the Leathers and Mushrooms and even Zoanthids would be fairly well suited to this tank and would be a good source of nutrient export considering you've got a fairly heavy stocking bioload planned.

I would. My current thought is to incorporate those later after I've got the initial system set up. I'm not married to that though.

 

[tbrown]

I would. My current thought is to incorporate those later after I've got the initial system set up. I'm not married to that though.

So soft corals like those mentioned in my previous post are good at reducing phosphates and nitrates. They usually don't require any supplemental feeding so they're a fairly easy choice plus they add an extra layer of movement to the tank.

 

[Rocks reef]

I agree with what @tbrown

 

[Fish Fan]

I agree with what @tbrown

You can't see it, but I have my surprise face on

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

looks like a great stocking list! Like someone else said, why not put some softies i that tank with a cheap used light, then you can upgrade later if you want to geek out on corals (which you will).