Reefer 250 - My First Reef

[ItalCanadaReefer]

Hi reefers,

I am starting up a new tank (53 gallons display and 12 gallons of sump/overflow), and I would like to know your opinions on my stocking list:

- Yellow-eyed kole tang
- Ocellaris clowns (x2)
- Six-line wrasse
- Yellow watchman goby
- Clown goby
- Cleaner shrimp
- Randall's pistol shrimp (alpheus randelli)
- Nassarius snails (x4)
- Trochus snails (x4)

I do not want to have a super heavy bio load... so does this look alright?

Thanks all!

 

[EvanDeVita]

you'll be totally fine. Have you ever kept a goby shrimp pair? I myself had a Randall's goby and Tiger Pistol shrimp and they ruined my scape...
You can definitely add more fish and inverts too, you'll just have to add them over time.

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

you'll be totally fine. Have you ever kept a goby shrimp pair? I myself had a Randall's goby and Tiger Pistol shrimp and they ruined my scape...
You can definitely add more fish and inverts too, you'll just have to add them over time.

Thanks Evan! My rocks are pretty sturdy I do not think they will be able to have things move around or fall.

 

[Mrod]

Ohh- I loved the goby- pistol Shrimp pair when I had one years ago. Found myself just watching that like I was a kid watching Bob the builder. Good luck and sure they will do fine for you as they were very low maintenance and only stirred one area that was outside their burrow so for me no issues.

 

[EvanDeVita]

Thanks Evan! My rocks are pretty sturdy I do not think they will be able to have things move around or fall.

I thought the same thing... until it collapsed XD. Make sure your rocks are on the bottom of the tank and not just on the top of the sand!!! Good luck

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

Here is a video update of my tank and the aquascape. I am two weeks into the cycle and will be adding a couple of clowns within the next two weeks if all goes well. Tried doing a negative space aquascape (NSA), but I am hoping that the top right portion gets enough light for corals (perhaps some low light corals at least like blastomussa). I am thinking of making this an LPS dominated tank with a nice zoa garden at the bottom of the middle island, and perhaps more spas in a couple of other areas. As this is my very first aquarium , what do you guys think about the aquascape?

 

[EvanDeVita]

Here is a video update of my tank and the aquascape. I am two weeks into the cycle and will be adding a couple of clowns within the next two weeks if all goes well. Tried doing a negative space aquascape (NSA), but I am hoping that the top right portion gets enough light for corals (perhaps some low light corals at least like blastomussa). I am thinking of making this an LPS dominated tank with a nice zoa garden at the bottom of the middle island, and perhaps more spas in a couple of other areas. As this is my very first aquarium , what do you guys think about the aquascape?

I love it!!!! I don’t see many caves, but I can’t see the back of the tank. Make sure there’s room for fish to hide!

 

[Macbalacano]

Hi reefers,

I am starting up a new tank (53 gallons display and 12 gallons of sump/overflow), and I would like to know your opinions on my stocking list:

- Yellow-eyed kole tang
- Ocellaris clowns (x2)
- Six-line wrasse
- Yellow watchman goby
- Clown goby
- Cleaner shrimp
- Randall's pistol shrimp (alpheus randelli)
- Nassarius snails (x4)
- Trochus snails (x4)

I do not want to have a super heavy bio load... so does this look alright?

Thanks all!

I think the stocking level is totally fine, you could probably add a couple more small fish even. Personally, I steered away from a six-line because lots of people say they get aggressive when older and they are very difficult to catch. I ended up getting a Fairy wrasse and yellow coris wrasse instead and they're fantastic. I'd suggest looking at other more peaceful/colourful wrasses as options - there's tons!

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

I love it!!!! I don’t see many caves, but I can’t see the back of the tank. Make sure there’s room for fish to hide!

Cool thanks dude! Yep lots of caves just hidden

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

I think the stocking level is totally fine, you could probably add a couple more small fish even. Personally, I steered away from a six-line because lots of people say they get aggressive when older and they are very difficult to catch. I ended up getting a Fairy wrasse and yellow coris wrasse instead and they're fantastic. I'd suggest looking at other more peaceful/colourful wrasses as options - there's tons!

Yeah, I have heard that as well. Ok cool thanks Mac!

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

I think the stocking level is totally fine, you could probably add a couple more small fish even. Personally, I steered away from a six-line because lots of people say they get aggressive when older and they are very difficult to catch. I ended up getting a Fairy wrasse and yellow coris wrasse instead and they're fantastic. I'd suggest looking at other more peaceful/colourful wrasses as options - there's tonsi thought the

I think the stocking level is totally fine, you could probably add a couple more small fish even. Personally, I steered away from a six-line because lots of people say they get aggressive when older and they are very difficult to catch. I ended up getting a Fairy wrasse and yellow coris wrasse instead and they're fantastic. I'd suggest looking at other more peaceful/colourful wrasses as options - there's tons!

I thought the six line wrasse was only problematic towards other wrasses. If I do not plan on having other wrasses, would it be ok? I specifically chose this fish because I know specimens of the halicheores family are a great utilitarian fish to control unwanted pests in the system. I was under the impression that the yellow chorus wrasse didn’t provide the same benefit.

 

[EvanDeVita]

I think the stocking level is totally fine, you could probably add a couple more small fish even. Personally, I steered away from a six-line because lots of people say they get aggressive when older and they are very difficult to catch. I ended up getting a Fairy wrasse and yellow coris wrasse instead and they're fantastic. I'd suggest looking at other more peaceful/colourful wrasses as options - there's tons!

Agreed. Six lines are probably the single best worm eater out there, but there are much nicer pest eating wrasses out there (like the yellow coris wrasse mentioned above). I believe most Halichoeres wrasses are good choices for pest control. If you like living on the edge, you could look into the Naoko Wrasse. It's probably the most aggressive fairy wrasse, but don't let that turn you away. With personal experience of keeping this fish, I can say it is NOT mean. It is not as mean as a six-line (from personal experience). I added it as the last fish in my aquarium, and there is no aggression whatsoever. They are not described as a worm-eating fish, but mine has gone ham on them in my tank. Do not plan on getting one if you are into small inverts (sexy shrimp, baby cleaner or peppermint shrimp, etc...)

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

Ok I will be looking into some other options then. Thanks again for the help!

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

I am hearing great things about Pseudocheilinops ataenia (pink-streaked wrasse) as an alternative to the much more aggressive six line wrasse. I hear it is an effective coral pest eater, like the six line, but is much more peaceful. Can anyone attest to this? Thanks again!

 

[EvanDeVita]

I am hearing great things about Pseudocheilinops ataenia (pink-streaked wrasse) as an alternative to the much more aggressive six line wrasse. I hear it is an effective coral pest eater, like the six line, but is much more peaceful. Can anyone attest to this? Thanks again!

I've heard the same thing, but I've never kept one.

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

Cycle done clown pair in. I went with standard, not designer clowns. I want a natural look to the system; just personal preference.

 

[Ocean_dreamer89]

Here is a video update of my tank and the aquascape. I am two weeks into the cycle and will be adding a couple of clowns within the next two weeks if all goes well. Tried doing a negative space aquascape (NSA), but I am hoping that the top right portion gets enough light for corals (perhaps some low light corals at least like blastomussa). I am thinking of making this an LPS dominated tank with a nice zoa garden at the bottom of the middle island, and perhaps more spas in a couple of other areas. As this is my very first aquarium , what do you guys think about the aquascape?

That aquascape is amazing!!! You did a great job trying to get a NSA. Did it take you very long to learn how to and complete it?

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

That aquascape is amazing!!! You did a great job trying to get a NSA. Did it take you very long to learn how to and complete it?

Really appreciate that! Took me a week of quite obsessive trial and error lol

 

[powers2001]

@ItalCanadaReefer Reefer 250 owner here too. You will grow to love this tank. Take it slow and great things will come of it. Following. See my build thread.

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

@ItalCanadaReefer Reefer 250 owner here too. You will grow to love this tank. Take it slow and great things will come of it. Following. See my build thread.

Thank you sir!! Yes I’m already loving it. Will post an update shortly. Following your build thanks!