Help TinyChocobo Plan his Corals and Fish

[TinyChocobo]

Hello!

I had a 29 Gallon Reef for a couple of years with two scarlet shrimp, a large emerald crab, a strawberry dottyback, and two true percula clown fish. I had a neon branching hammer coral, Kenya tree, green star polyps, and frogspawn.

I now have a RSR XL 425 and I would like to stock it with a medium to heavy load. You can see my build thread as well as rock work at https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tinychocobo’s-red-sea-reefer-xl-425.362135/

I know I would like to have a few more clowns but I’m really up in the air beyond that. I’ve never done LPS or SPS but have only done softies before. I think the SPS are gorgeous but to be honest I’m not entirely sure what I like specifically so I’m looking for suggestions. I don’t mind soft corals but I’m thinking I want to do hard corals this time.

As far as fish - I would like as much activity as I can get from bottom to top. I get a LOT of enjoyment out of just sitting and watching the tank.

I did just pick up an apex and several modules so I’m going to be set up to dose whatever I need and to monitor closely. I also have a full set of Hanna checkers and salifert tests and will be watching the tank closely. I think I can do SPS but I worry I don’t have enough light but I can remedy that. I really like my Kessil lights and can do 3 or 4 if I have to.

At any rate I’m hoping you guys can help me plan out what I’ll stock this tank with. I would like to think of it as a community tank. ;-)

 

[Tahoe61]

Dwarf Angel such as Coral Beauty, Red Hawk Fish, Yellow Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Fire Fish is have a lid, Flasher Wrasses if you have a lid.

For sps start with Purple Stylophora, Monitopora and Birds Nest, or Hynophora (aggressive coral, and actually more like a LPS, but beautiful and hardy.
LPS, Micromussa (used to be called Acan), any of the Euphyllias, Duncan.

Congrats on your tank upgrade

 

[TinyChocobo]

I like the fire fish, but wasn't going to go for them due to not having/wanting a lid. Artfully Acrylic lids look nice - but I think the tank looks better without a lid. That said if I find any clowns on the ground I'll probably put a lid on it anyhow.

 

[netdawg]

FISH: I'm personally in LOVE with schooling fish right now, in that sized tank I'd consider chromis or anthias in a school of 7 or 5 respectfully. Lots of movement and a nice harem of anthias can be fun to watch for hours IMPO. Hawk fish are great odd-ball additions when considering their personality being so unique. I also would suggest a reef safe wrasse like the fairy or leopard options. Don't be afraid to stay with nano sized fish like the clown or panda goby either, small fish add a dimension to a large tank that's hard to find especially for us small detail folks. Only concern I would have at this point is you already added the 8 clowns to the tank so they might not be the best of neighbors as you grow your fish plan.

CORAL: like suggested, the Euphyllias are hardy, easier to maintain, and could add some good growth cover when you place them. Consider some of the more high nutrient SPS when you're ready to go that route; digi, monticap, some stylo. But if you are worried about care levels coming into this consider some smaller button, brain, or acans to get you comfortable and accommodate moderate lighting.

the build thread looks good so far! Have fun

 

[TinyChocobo]

I really like the clowns so I'm willing to build around them - at least for the foreseeable future :). They are all pretty happily hosting the anenome I put in there for them.

Worst case - I could always get a second tank :P :P.

 

[netdawg]

Worst case - I could always get a second tank :p :p.

Not the first time this has been the answer to a reefer's problem ;)

 

[TinyChocobo]

I added 11 Green Chromis [couldn't leave 4 in the tank all alone].

I don't mind stocking this a bit heavy as I'm running a skimmer bigger than necessary and don't mind staying on top of maintenance at all.

That said I'd like to get one or two fish that will get bigger - but not anything that's big enough that I'll have to re-home it when it's full size or that it will be uncomfortable/cramped in the 88 Gallon.

I absolutely love Yellow Tangs and Blue Hippos but they'll get too big when full grown :(. [No, it's not a finding nemo thing, I just happen to think they're gorgeous fish and have always loved watching them in the tanks I've seen].

Any suggestions?

 

[Dan I]

Yellow tangs are great for lots of movement, rabbitfish as well. In addition, anthias are great community fish. Especially Lyretail Anthias.