Help for beginner

[RTRSHA]

So, to begin I am new to the hobby (so new that I haven’t even bought anything to start a reef tank with) I’ve had freshwater my whole life and it just isn’t doing it for me anymore. I have been researching for about 4-5 months on everything but, with that being said I am wanting to get into this hobby. What I am wanting is a rimless cube tank more than 40 gallons less than 70 (really like the SCA 50 cube) with a stocking list of:
Fish:
2x ocellaris clown (1 Wyoming white and 1 orange)
1x Yasha Goby
1x Firefish Goby
1x Cleaner Goby
1x Royal Gramma Basslet
1x Midas Blenny
1x Banggai Cardinalfish
1x Starcki Damselfish
Inverts:
1x Cleaner Shrimp
1x Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp– paired with Yasha Goby
1x Porcelain Crab
1–2x Feather Dusters
1x Tiger Fighting Conch
3–5x Trochus Snails

Is this too much for a beginner to handle, would I need to go with a bigger or different brand of tank, from my research I found that all were compatible (with exception of starcki damsel in some cases) please correct me if I’m wrong, does my CUC list need work, I already have one in mind but, can I get you guys opinion on a stocking order?

I know I’m gonna have to be patient and wait on my stocking list to be available talked to my LFS they are pretty trusty and said that when I’m ready that they’d be on the lookout for some of the more rare fish on my list (ex. Starcki Damsel)

I will also be doing a QT setup too with a 40 gallon breeder and a hang on the back filter

Please feel free to correct me on anything that I have wrong, also feel free to tell me what questions I’m not asking that I need to be

Thank you in advance

 

[Euphyllia97]

Hello! I am really glad to see that you have done a good research before hopping in this hobby! This and patience will lead to success.

As for stocking order:

1 **Cleaner Goby** (very peaceful, needs established biofilm/microfauna)
2. **Firefish Goby** (shy and jumpy; should settle in before aggressive fish)
3. **Banggai Cardinalfish** (slow-moving, needs time to establish before competition)
4. **Yasha Goby** (peaceful but may hide; best added early)
5. **Ocellaris Clownfish Pair** ( introduce together or add the smaller one first)
6. **Royal Gramma Basslet** (territorial; should claim a cave after others are settled)
7. **Midas Blenny** (active and may chase; add after territory lines are set)
8. **Starcki Damselfish** (least aggressive damsel, but still feisty; add last)

I only have a couple of small recommendations for you. This stocking is in my opinion possible in a 50 Gal. However it might not have a lot of margin left. Second thing to consider is that both the royal gramma and the Starcki damsel can be on the agressive side. (Maybe it would be better to choose one of the two.)

Make sure you have enough hiding spots. Especially the firefish, yasha and gramma like to be in caves.

Good luck!

 

[ga2040]

You should be good with all of them.
Just make sure the snails have something to eat or else they can perish altering the water parameters.

 

[RTRSHA]

Hello! I am really glad to see that you have done a good research before hopping in this hobby! This and patience will lead to success.

As for stocking order:

1 **Cleaner Goby** (very peaceful, needs established biofilm/microfauna)
2. **Firefish Goby** (shy and jumpy; should settle in before aggressive fish)
3. **Banggai Cardinalfish** (slow-moving, needs time to establish before competition)
4. **Yasha Goby** (peaceful but may hide; best added early)
5. **Ocellaris Clownfish Pair** ( introduce together or add the smaller one first)
6. **Royal Gramma Basslet** (territorial; should claim a cave after others are settled)
7. **Midas Blenny** (active and may chase; add after territory lines are set)
8. **Starcki Damselfish** (least aggressive damsel, but still feisty; add last)

I only have a couple of small recommendations for you. This stocking is in my opinion possible in a 50 Gal. However it might not have a lot of margin left. Second thing to consider is that both the royal gramma and the Starcki damsel can be on the agressive side. (Maybe it would be better to choose one of the two.)

Make sure you have enough hiding spots. Especially the firefish, yasha and gramma like to be in caves.

Good luck!

Okay, so do you have any suggestions on something I could trade one or the other out for one that’ll be more peaceful or do you just suggest doing away with one

 

[Euphyllia97]

Okay, so do you have any suggestions on something I could trade one or the other out for one that’ll be more peaceful or do you just suggest doing away with one

Pictichromis paccagnellae Instead of the royal gramma :) It’s just a suggestion tho. If you really want both the ones you mentioned, go for it.

 

[RTRSHA]

Okay, so do you have any suggestions on something I could trade one or the other out for one that’ll be more peaceful or do you just suggest doing away with one

Pictichromis paccagnellae Instead of the royal gramma :) It’s just a suggestion tho. If you really want both the ones you mentioned, go for it.

None of the fish in my list are something that I have to have (except for Firefish and the two clowns) now the reason I wanna go with the starcki damsel is because every nice reef tank I’ve seen has a staple fish that you notice first, I originally wanted a dwarf flame angel but after reading I found that they are known for nipping at corals and clams (do not intend on getting a clam until I have had the tank for a couple of years and have a little more reefing experience under my belt) so I thought that the starcki would be a good replacement. I only said all that to say I’m willing change what I have to, to have a healthy and thriving tank.