New setup, thoughts/advice?

ClemsonReefer · Mar 19, 2026

Greetings!

Long time lurker, first time poster. Looking to set up a saltwater tank. I have long experience with freshwater tanks, willing to do water changes frequently, somewhat handy (can fix most things) and love to micromanage tinkering with things. I also love nature, water and live in FL. I have money to spend on this hobby as I know it’s not cheap (even more important I have my wife’s approval as she knows and trusts me!…she’s a good one). What could go wrong?

I’m planning to set up a 6 Ft tank in my living room. I have done extensive research for a year probably, chat GPT, you name it but there is no substitute for experience! I wanted to get the groups thoughts on my plans/vision before I pull the trigger. You can tell me if I’m crazy too!

I envision a tank starting off with fish such as clownfish, cromis, some gobys, wrasses, hawkfish and a tang gang. Will eventually like to put a blue throat trigger and emperor angelfish. After the smaller fish get established and I learn more, would like to add in a mixed reef with some hardy corals then ramp up from there. This would be a 1-2 year ramp up. Here is the equipment I have narrowed down on:

- Waterbox Infinia Reef 230.6

Pump: Sicce SDC 9.0 vs Neptune COR-20
Protein Skimmer: Reef Octopus Regal 250-INT
Wave makers: 3 Maxspect Gyre XF350
Lights: 3-4 Aquaillumination Hydra 32 HD
Heaters: 2 300W titanium with inkbird heater controller
ATO: Tunze Osmolator 3155
Filtration: Red Sea Roller Mat 500
UV Sterilizer (brand suggestions?)
Neptune Apex Controller
Water leak sensors

My house is on a city line gas generator and I plan to have an electrician install a separate 20 amp circuit in my box for the tank. Thoughts?

ClemsonReefer · Mar 19, 2026

Forgot to add my CUC:

- 3 cleaner shrimp
- 10 hermits
- 20 snails
- 2-3 feather duster worms or sea cucumbers.

Reefara · Mar 19, 2026

That’s a really solid plan overall, especially taking your time with the 1–2 year ramp, that’s honestly one of the biggest things people rush.

A couple things I’d think about though:

The blue throat trigger + emperor angel combo can work, but long term that’s where things can get unpredictable, especially once they mature. It’s not impossible, just something you’ll want to plan carefully around stocking order and tank dynamics.
“Tang gang” is doable in that size tank, just depends on species and introduction timing. Adding them too late or mixing the wrong types can cause headaches fast.
Starting with smaller, more peaceful fish first like you mentioned is definitely the right move. Let the tank mature and stabilize before adding the more dominant fish.

Equipment-wise you’re honestly set, that’s a strong setup. Only thing I’d say is 3 gyres might be overkill depending on placement, but that’s something you can dial in over time.

Overall though, your biggest challenge won’t be equipment. It’ll be managing compatibility and long-term behavior with that fish list.

Curious, have you thought about the exact stocking order yet?

ClemsonReefer · Mar 19, 2026

Reefara said:
That’s a really solid plan overall, especially taking your time with the 1–2 year ramp, that’s honestly one of the biggest things people rush.

A couple things I’d think about though:

The blue throat trigger + emperor angel combo can work, but long term that’s where things can get unpredictable, especially once they mature. It’s not impossible, just something you’ll want to plan carefully around stocking order and tank dynamics.

“Tang gang” is doable in that size tank, just depends on species and introduction timing. Adding them too late or mixing the wrong types can cause headaches fast.

Starting with smaller, more peaceful fish first like you mentioned is definitely the right move. Let the tank mature and stabilize before adding the more dominant fish.

Equipment-wise you’re honestly set, that’s a strong setup. Only thing I’d say is 3 gyres might be overkill depending on placement, but that’s something you can dial in over time.

Overall though, your biggest challenge won’t be equipment. It’ll be managing compatibility and long-term behavior with that fish list.

Curious, have you thought about the exact stocking order yet?

Thanks for the advice! I love the trigger idea just because I’ve caught them in real life fishing and I think they’re an interesting fish. It seems like the blue throat triggers are a little more peaceful just in my research maybe not the case. Any other “centerpiece” type fish you would recommend?

In terms of stocking order I was thinking:

- 2 clownfish and 5 chromis first
- Diamond Goby, firefish goby
- royal Gramma, 1-2 wrasses
- Flame Hawkfish
- Foxface fish
- Hippo tang
- Sailfin tang
- Yellow tang of everyone is playing nice

If all is looking good I would add the emperor angel and then the trigger or something else you may suggest.

In my freshwater tanks I have always waited at least a week between adding different species. Is that a safe timeline?

Reefara · Mar 19, 2026

ClemsonReefer said:
Reefara said:

That’s a really solid plan overall, especially taking your time with the 1–2 year ramp, that’s honestly one of the biggest things people rush.

A couple things I’d think about though:

The blue throat trigger + emperor angel combo can work, but long term that’s where things can get unpredictable, especially once they mature. It’s not impossible, just something you’ll want to plan carefully around stocking order and tank dynamics.

“Tang gang” is doable in that size tank, just depends on species and introduction timing. Adding them too late or mixing the wrong types can cause headaches fast.

Starting with smaller, more peaceful fish first like you mentioned is definitely the right move. Let the tank mature and stabilize before adding the more dominant fish.

Equipment-wise you’re honestly set, that’s a strong setup. Only thing I’d say is 3 gyres might be overkill depending on placement, but that’s something you can dial in over time.

Overall though, your biggest challenge won’t be equipment. It’ll be managing compatibility and long-term behavior with that fish list.

Curious, have you thought about the exact stocking order yet?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! I love the trigger idea just because I’ve caught them in real life fishing and I think they’re an interesting fish. It seems like the blue throat triggers are a little more peaceful just in my research maybe not the case. Any other “centerpiece” type fish you would recommend?

In terms of stocking order I was thinking:

- 2 clownfish and 5 chromis first
- Diamond Goby, firefish goby
- royal Gramma, 1-2 wrasses
- Flame Hawkfish
- Foxface fish
- Hippo tang
- Sailfin tang
- Yellow tang of everyone is playing nice

If all is looking good I would add the emperor angel and then the trigger or something else you may suggest.

In my freshwater tanks I have always waited at least a week between adding different species. Is that a safe timeline?

That’s honestly a really solid plan, you’ve clearly thought it through.

Only a couple things I’d keep in mind. The chromis look great at first, but a lot of the time they slowly pick each other off until you’re left with one or two. Not always, but it happens pretty often.

The tangs are probably the biggest thing to be careful with. A hippo, sailfin, and yellow can work in a 6ft, but timing matters a lot. If one gets too established before the others, it can get territorial fast. Sometimes adding them closer together actually works better than spacing them way out.

Foxface is a great choice though, super useful and usually pretty chill.

For the emperor and trigger, I like that you’re saving them for last. Blue throat is definitely one of the more peaceful triggers, but it’s still a trigger, so just expect some personality as it grows.

If you ever decide against the trigger, some other cool centerpiece options could be a Genicanthus angel, or even just a standout tang. They give you that same “presence” without as much risk.

As for timing, a week can work early on, but once you start getting into bigger fish and more bioload, I’d slow it down a bit. I’d go more based on how stable everything is rather than sticking to a strict schedule.

Overall though you’re on the right track. The fact you’re thinking long term like this is what’s gonna save you headaches later.

ClemsonReefer · Mar 19, 2026

I didn’t know that about the Chromis, I’ll keep that in mind. I thought they give a nice color and I wanted a schooling fish so that was my thought. I’m not tied down to a triggerfish and I probably wouldn’t be adding that guy for a long time so may change my mind.

I know setting up the aquascape is a big deal because once it’s in, there’s probably not much adjustment. Any advice on the best way to make all the structure stable?

Boehmtown · Mar 19, 2026

Don't over filter your tank for the first 6 months to a year, unless you're doing all live rock. Too much light can kill a coral in a day. I've had corals survive a month in an unlit sump. They need much much much less light to survive then you think. When everyone's talking light and par levels, that's for optimal growth, not minimum to survive or slowly grow. First 6 months to a year. Low flow, low light. Really let it develop.