Reef Aquarium Stocking Question - 90 Gallon

Astacey7 · Apr 8, 2025

Hi everyone!

I wanted to ask for thoughts/recommendations on my 90-gallon build. I currently have a 90-gallon tank with a 39-gallon sump. I have 2 clowns that moved from a Cube 20—they have been in the tank since 3/15. I am open to recommendations and suggestions. I have spent months debating on the residents and am ready to add a new member!

Rock - Dry Rock with some media from the 20-gallon
Salt - Instant Ocean Reef Crystal (Orange)

Potential Stocking List - Curious when to add each.
One spot FoxFace - (Maybe towards the end)
Goby - Not sure which one at this time, leaning towards diamond
Wrasse - Leaning towards a Christmas
Royal Gramma
Dart Fish
Cardinal fish x3
Fire Shrimp - Currently in 20 20-gallon tanks and will move over
Cleaner Shrimp
CUC - Assorted at a later date.
Coral: LPS and Softs

Test Kit: Red Sea Marine Care
Most recent readings
4/8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 5
Nitrite: 0-0.05 (very little color)
PH: 7.75 Vivosun handheld tester

4/4
Ammonia: 0-0.2
Nitrate: 5-10 (coloration was in between, but feed was on 4/3)
Nitrite: 0.05

threebuoys · Apr 9, 2025

A couple of thoughts.

Consider the aggression level typical of each species you expect to add.
Select the least aggressive first to give them a chance to get comfortable and find homes in your tank. Remember, clownfish can be very aggressive once they establish their territory. You will need to monitor closely as you add more fish.

If you expect to purchase several fish within the same species, for example more than one wrasse, consider getting them at the same time. Otherwise, the first of the species may be unfriendly when you later add another.

Set up a QT and always use it. In addition to preemptively fighting potential disease, the QT will give you a chance to closely monitor new arrivals eating habits. Don't put the new fish into the display until after the QT cycle is complete and after the new fish is eating well. Be certain the food is high quality with high protein and fat components.

Don't overload the QT with too many aggressive fish simultaneously. Only the strongest may survive. Sounds counter to the second paragraph above I know. Just one of the challenges.

If you intend to keep coral, be certain your fish selections are reef safe. Determining if a "reef-Safe with caution" selection is truly reef-safe can be hard. They have an uncanny ability to only nibble on the coral when no one is looking.

Good luck!

Astacey7 · Apr 9, 2025

threebuoys said:
A couple of thoughts.

Consider the aggression level typical of each species you expect to add.
Select the least aggressive first to give them a chance to get comfortable and find homes in your tank. Remember, clownfish can be very aggressive once they establish their territory. You will need to monitor closely as you add more fish.

If you expect to purchase several fish within the same species, for example more than one wrasse, consider getting them at the same time. Otherwise, the first of the species may be unfriendly when you later add another.

Set up a QT and always use it. In addition to preemptively fighting potential disease, the QT will give you a chance to closely monitor new arrivals eating habits. Don't put the new fish into the display until after the QT cycle is complete and after the new fish is eating well. Be certain the food is high quality with high protein and fat components.

Don't overload the QT with too many aggressive fish simultaneously. Only the strongest may survive. Sounds counter to the second paragraph above I know. Just one of the challenges.

If you intend to keep coral, be certain your fish selections are reef safe. Determining if a "reef-Safe with caution" selection is truly reef-safe can be hard. They have an uncanny ability to only nibble on the coral when no one is looking.

Good luck!

Thank you! I planned to use the Cube 20 as a QT Tank once I moved the Fire shrimp over to the new tank. There is some coral in the 20, but nothing major. My only question, as I haven't used a QT tank before, is how a medium-sized fish will do in there? ie, a one-spot foxface when the time comes. Appreciate your thoughts!

threebuoys · Apr 9, 2025

I have,successfully QTed large copperband butterfly, medium powder blue and other tangs in a 20 gallon. Also fully grown wrasse and other fish in that size QT. Only one of the larger fish at a time but some smaller fish simultaneously with the larger fish.