Is this Reefer 170 stocking plan overstocked or actually solid long-term?

[vostasf]

MAIN FISH

* 2× DaVinci Clownfish
* Yellow Watchman Goby + Tiger Pistol Shrimp (paired)
* Tailspot Blenny
* Dwarf Angelfish (still deciding species)
* Helfrich’s Firefish

⸻

INVERTS

* 1× Tiger Pistol Shrimp (for goby pairing)

⸻

OPTIONAL (CHOOSING ONE)

* Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (or none if bioload is already high)

⸻

CLEAN-UP CREW

* 4× Trochus Snails
* 3× Nassarius Snails
* 2× Cerith Snails

⸻

TANK GOAL

* Mixed reef (soft corals + LPS to start, maybe SPS later if stable)
* Moderate flow + stable parameters
* Heavily focused on natural behavior / activity rather than minimal stocking

⸻

QUESTIONS (honest opinions wanted)

* Is this overstocked for a Reefer 170 long-term, or still reasonable?
* The dwarf angelfish is the one I’m most unsure about — would you skip it in this size tank?
* Any obvious aggression/territory conflicts I’m missing?
* Would you remove or swap anything first if this were your tank?
* Am I underestimating bioload long-term with this mix of active swimmers?

I’ve seen people run both lighter and heavier stocking in this tank size, so I’m curious what experienced reefers would actually change here.

 

[vostasf]

MAIN FISH

* 2× DaVinci Clownfish
* Yellow Watchman Goby + Tiger Pistol Shrimp (paired)
* Tailspot Blenny
* Dwarf Angelfish (still deciding species)
* Helfrich’s Firefish

⸻

INVERTS

* 1× Tiger Pistol Shrimp (for goby pairing)

⸻

OPTIONAL (CHOOSING ONE)

* Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (or none if bioload is already high)

⸻

CLEAN-UP CREW

* 4× Trochus Snails
* 3× Nassarius Snails
* 2× Cerith Snails

⸻

TANK GOAL

* Mixed reef (soft corals + LPS to start, maybe SPS later if stable)
* Moderate flow + stable parameters
* Heavily focused on natural behavior / activity rather than minimal stocking

⸻

QUESTIONS (honest opinions wanted)

* Is this overstocked for a Reefer 170 long-term, or still reasonable?
* The dwarf angelfish is the one I’m most unsure about — would you skip it in this size tank?
* Any obvious aggression/territory conflicts I’m missing?
* Would you remove or swap anything first if this were your tank?
* Am I underestimating bioload long-term with this mix of active swimmers?

I’ve seen people run both lighter and heavier stocking in this tank size, so I’m curious what experienced reefers would actually change here.

Any comments would be helpful thanks !

 

[winxp_man]

First off you’re brave for running a reefer tank. They are prone to seam issues. Have seen even the 170 with issues.

On to your list, I think it will be okay depending on how much rock work you do. You should be good to go.

 

[vostasf]

First off you’re brave for running a reefer tank. They are prone to seam issues. Have seen even the 170 with issues.

On to your list, I think it will be okay depending on how much rock work you do. You should be good to go.

Do you think I should go around 40 pounds or more or less?

 

[winxp_man]

Do you think I should go around 40 pounds or more or less?

The 170 in total is 40g yes? If so yes. I would skeletonize the rocks though. Don’t build bulky. My brother had a IM 40 cube and built bulky rocks. And hated it. And took up a bunch of space. If you need bio surface add polyblab genesis rock if you have the space. I know the back of this tank is pretty tiny.

 

[vostasf]

Do you think I should go around 40 pounds or more or less?

The 170 in total is 40g yes? If so yes. I would skeletonize the rocks though. Don’t build bulky. My brother had a IM 40 cube and built bulky rocks. And hated it. And took up a bunch of space. If you need bio surface add polyblab genesis rock if you have the space. I know the back of this tank is pretty tiny.

Yes I have these 2 built right now might still change them up what do you think

 

[vostasf]

Do you think I should go around 40 pounds or more or less?

The 170 in total is 40g yes? If so yes. I would skeletonize the rocks though. Don’t build bulky. My brother had a IM 40 cube and built bulky rocks. And hated it. And took up a bunch of space. If you need bio surface add polyblab genesis rock if you have the space. I know the back of this tank is pretty tiny.

What are those for?

 

[winxp_man]

What are those for?

For Bacteria to populate on. Super dense ceramic rock. I don’t have anywhere near 300 lbs of rocks in my tank. Maybe 200lbs tops. And my 300g system is eating up ammonia like crazy. I have a bunch of this media rock I mentioned here.

 

[vostasf]

What are those for?

For Bacteria to populate on. Super dense ceramic rock. I don’t have anywhere near 300 lbs of rocks in my tank. Maybe 200lbs tops. And my 300g system is eating up ammonia like crazy. I have a bunch of this media rock I mentioned here.

Ok I think I might pick some of those up

 

[vostasf]

What are those for?

For Bacteria to populate on. Super dense ceramic rock. I don’t have anywhere near 300 lbs of rocks in my tank. Maybe 200lbs tops. And my 300g system is eating up ammonia like crazy. I have a bunch of this media rock I mentioned here.

Do you have any recommendations for clean up crew for my 40g I was thinking

CLEANUP CREW
* 4× Trochus Snails
* 3× Nassarius Snails
* 2× Cerith Snails

But I don’t know if that’s to much or too little and I might want some more interesting options

 

[beardedman11]

Yes I have these 2 built right now might still change them up what do you think

I really like both of those aquascapes. The first is cool with the arch and in a year the potential coral growing out top of the arch all around would be pretty cool. The 2 islands also looks amazing. Can separate each one to a certain type of coral would be pretty cool as well. Tough decision.

Do you have any recommendations for clean up crew for my 40g I was thinking

CLEANUP CREW
* 4× Trochus Snails
* 3× Nassarius Snails
* 2× Cerith Snails

But I don’t know if that’s to much or too little and I might want some more interesting options

Your stock plan looks good. I've got 2 clowns, 6-line wrasse, and a hippo tang. I feel like I need to add another fish due to my nitrates and phosphate being undetectable. As long as you give your system time to adjust to the new fish I think you'll be able to do that. Just don't overfed the tank and only feed what they can eat up. I'm planning on adding a cleaner and blood shrimp and possibly a starfish to the tank this month. Don't think they add to much bioload to the tank.

CUC i don't think you can have to much. I started out with maybe 10 snails and a few blue legs and always add a few more every time i go to the LFS. You'll see empty shells around the tank which need replacing.