Questions regarding new 40g mixed tank!

[Camfitzsmith]

Hi there! I’m new to this hobby and had a questions regarding overall livestock and care for my 40 gallon cube AIO. I’ve done a full fishless cycle over 28 days, that was about 2 weeks ago. My set up at the moment is 2 AI Nero 3s, AI Hydra 32HD for lighting, 2 stock filters with a carbon medium pack over them, a baggie of calcium tube things to help pH and a protein skimmer. Levels are - Ammonia, NO2, NO3 - 0. Alkalinity-40ppb KH-300ppb. Phosphates ~100ppb. PH 7.9ish. Nitrates ~10. Tried a few coral, two psammocora seem to be doing okay, the other perished unfortunately due to the tank being too immature I think so I’m going to just get my fish population up, then add a small clean up crew, then possibly add coral after. I’ve been told soft coral are fairly durable, and I haven’t attempted one yet so I may buy one of those sooner than I would LPS/SPS again. I purchased 2 clown fish a week ago, and a long nose hawkish and purple firefish 2 days ago. I’ve been feeding pellets and frozen Mysis shrimp, everyone eats well and seem to not have any issues with territory or aggression. The firefish is more nervous but is venturing out of his cave more today. I have a list of fish I would ultimately like inhabiting the tank, but want to run it by more seasoned eyes. The list is 2 clown fish, 1 long nose hawkfish, 1 firefish, 1purple gramma, 1 starry blenny, 1 mandarin (purchased in a year or two of tank maturation), and 3 panama cardinals. Along with a tight clean up crew and corals. Is that overly ambitious for the space I have? From what I’ve researched, the fish themselves should coexist well i just wonder about sustainability. I’ll post pictures of my set up for any critique anyone may have, or insight into my livestock question and based off of what I’ve given if there are any glaring mistakes please let me know. I’ve been dosing with phytoplankton at a low rate just to add to bioload as the tank is holding what I have so far, don’t know if that’ll help expedite my coral survivability but hopefully it’ll help the psammocora. Checking levels every couple days at the moment. Topping off every couple days as well, with 10%ish water changes every 4-5 days.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Hello and welcome to Reef2Reef! I would say that 10 fish (if I counted right lol) in your 40g would be a bit much. I'd limit that to 7, maybe 8 fish only. Overstocking your tank could end up in a very bad situation, especially if it's your first tank. Overall, I would think all your proposed fish would work well together, there's just too many. Happy reefing!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I agree that the fish choices are fine for your tank, but you are overstocking a little bit. Maybe drop two of the cardinals, or drop the mandarin and one other fish, and you would be fine!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I agree I have 8 fish in my 40 gallon and I find it a little crowded, and I have a lot more rock than you do.

 

[Camfitzsmith]

Hello and welcome to Reef2Reef! I would say that 10 fish (if I counted right lol) in your 40g would be a bit much. I'd limit that to 7, maybe 8 fish only. Overstocking your tank could end up in a very bad situation, especially if it's your first tank. Overall, I would think all your proposed fish would work well together, there's just too many. Happy reefing!

Thank you! I think for now I’m going to forgo the gramma and mandarin and just get a small group of cards and the starry blenny. Hoping in 3 or so months I’ll have a healthy enough biome to get some coral thriving.

 

[Camfitzsmith]

I agree that the fish choices are fine for your tank, but you are overstocking a little bit. Maybe drop two of the cardinals, or drop the mandarin and one other fish, and you would be fine!

My thoughts exactly after reading your alls input, it pretty much validated my fears. I’m going to drop the mandarin as I hear they are fickle anyway and the gramma as my hawkfish is very active in a similar zone as it would be anyway. Thank you!

 

[Camfitzsmith]

I agree I have 8 fish in my 40 gallon and I find it a little crowded, and I have a lot more rock than you do.

Thank you! I’m going to definitely shorten my list. As of now I’m just very happy with the fish I’ve chosen. The hawkish in particular is a very lively and fun dude.