Looking for input on stocking plan for new tank

think2100 · Mar 15, 2026

I'm starting a 65 gallon mixed reef tank. I'd like feedback on the following stocking plan for fish and corals. I'll be using a RS Reefer 300 skimmer, two RS Reef Waves, Reef Mat 500, media reactor, ATO, and AWC (changing out a gallon or two per day slowly throughout the day). I've got three 40 gallon reservoirs in an adjacent storage room providing the RO/DI water, fresh saltwater, and wastewater. I'll be using the Red Sea doser at least to begin with, possibly moving to Neptune Trident and Dos in the future. I've got one Radion XR30 8.5 inches above the water. When set on the Radiant Color Template at 85%, and adjusting warm and cool whites up to 75% at the peak period of the day, I get the par numbers listed below. Planning to back off lighting as corals grow upward. Current numbers reflect readings about two inches above the rock. Also creating a 10 gallon pod farm to keep a steady population at hand and supplement feeding.

Any thoughts on changes that you think should be made to the plan will be appreciated. Photo shows planned location of corals with exception of Favia and one Torch, which are in back corners.

Stages of Stocking Plan:

Fish stages (1-3 week interims between each fish stage)

Canary Blenny, Firefish Exquisite and 5 Red Stop Light Cardinalfish (inverts and pods)
Tailspot, Longfin Ocellaris Clown, and Fairy Wrasse
Male Melanuras Wrasse
Orchid Dottyback
Coral Beauty Dwarf Angel

Coral stages (Once Nitrates have been stabilized around 10ppm, begin coral stocking, checking for stable parameters at each stage before moving onto the next.)

Stage 1

Favia (Applejacks 135 par)
Gonipora (Red/Orange 220 par)
Blue and Green Ricordea (50-100 par)
Orange Discoma Mushroom (50 -100 par)
Torch (Dragon Tamer 150 par)

Stage 2

Acan (Lord Rainbow 90 par)
Torch (Holy Grail 170 par)

Stage 3

Micromussa (Holy Grail 150 par)
One additional orange discoma and one additional blue ricordea
Montipora (Sunset 230 par)
Stylophora (Electric Daisy 195 par)

Stage 4

Birdsnest (Ponape 270 par)
Montipora (Danger Zone 190 par)
Three orange/yellow ricordea (50-100 par)
One orange discoma (50-100 par)
One blue ricordea (50-100 par)

Stage 5 Wait until alkalinity has stabilized for at least 4-6 weeks before introducing acropora

Maleficent (290 par)
The Banger (330 par)
Shazam (310 par)
PC Rainbow (280 par)

think2100 · Mar 16, 2026

Mods, pretty sure I put this thread in the wrong place. Should it go under general aquarium discussion?

think2100 · Apr 22, 2026

Got my first order of fish from Dr. Reef. Unfortunately, had a high mortality rate. One red stop light cardinalfish doa, another dead by next morning and a third dead in the rock work somewhere but never found. Probably as much my fault as anyone else as I didn’t realize that they are very delicate to ship. I also lost a canary blenny due to starvation within 24 hours. Two of the cardinalfish made it as did a firefish and tailspot blenny. Did not think the tailspot would survive, but a week later he’s doing great (see before and after pics). He and the larger cardinalfish are hitting it off now.