Stocking a reef tank (125g) ideas

[SirSaltyNutz]

I am currently on the hunt for ideas on how I should stock my 125g tank. Currently the 125 g has been cycling for 4 wks that had some dry rock and with Oceans direct sand, also have 40 lbs of live rock from GLR (ton of life!) in a fishless qt tank for a month now that has been few peppermint shirmp, and laslly I have a 40 gal barrel of now "live rock"(100lbs) that been seeded and feed NH4+ for 4 months (heated and recirculating). Both live rock will be added to the 125 display or 50 gal sump this weekend.
What suggestions on stocking? I had FOWL tank in the past, but this will be a reef tank, thinking mostly LPS, maybe some soft or mushrooms. Just want slower growing, patient is not a problem. Also like to support responsible live stock suppliers. Probably focus on fish from aquaculture, not wild caught. Coral, open for best practices too. Is this reasonable? So hit with your stocking suggestions and timeline for stocking. Any fish or clean up crew will be qt, coral will be dipped before going into display tank. Appreciate all advice in advance!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

#reefsquad

 

[tbrown]

I like Halichoeres wrasses for color, movement, and pest control.

My 125 had a Halichoeres melanurus, Halichoeres leucoxanthus, and a Halichoeres garnoti.

I also kept 3 Springeri Damselfish, again for pest control but also for the colors.

A 3 Clownfish harem, a Foxface, and a Tomini tang and a couple of PJ Cardinals. Also had a Starry Blenny and a Lawnmower Blenny.

I think it all depends on what you want though. Flasher and Fairy wrasses are great for movement and bright colors. Foxface are great for helping with algae control and mine kept the aggression down.

 

[BryanM]

I am currently on the hunt for ideas on how I should stock my 125g tank. Currently the 125 g has been cycling for 4 wks that had some dry rock and with Oceans direct sand, also have 40 lbs of live rock from GLR (ton of life!) in a fishless qt tank for a month now that has been few peppermint shirmp, and laslly I have a 40 gal barrel of now "live rock"(100lbs) that been seeded and feed NH4+ for 4 months (heated and recirculating). Both live rock will be added to the 125 display or 50 gal sump this weekend.
What suggestions on stocking? I had FOWL tank in the past, but this will be a reef tank, thinking mostly LPS, maybe some soft or mushrooms. Just want slower growing, patient is not a problem. Also like to support responsible live stock suppliers. Probably focus on fish from aquaculture, not wild caught. Coral, open for best practices too. Is this reasonable? So hit with your stocking suggestions and timeline for stocking. Any fish or clean up crew will be qt, coral will be dipped before going into display tank. Appreciate all advice in advance!

IMO I would get the live rock in the tank as soon as possible.

Duncans, Toadstools, Sinularia (Finger leathers), discosoma mushrooms, rhodactis mushrooms... These are all beginner friendly corals.

 

[BryanM]

Oh, and I forgot to mention getting a cleanup crew. If you're planning for fish I'd recommend a lawnmower blenny and tomini tang, and a six line wrasse, all good utilitarian workhorses.

 

[SirSaltyNutz]

I am currently on the hunt for ideas on how I should stock my 125g tank. Currently the 125 g has been cycling for 4 wks that had some dry rock and with Oceans direct sand, also have 40 lbs of live rock from GLR (ton of life!) in a fishless qt tank for a month now that has been few peppermint shirmp, and laslly I have a 40 gal barrel of now "live rock"(100lbs) that been seeded and feed NH4+ for 4 months (heated and recirculating). Both live rock will be added to the 125 display or 50 gal sump this weekend.
What suggestions on stocking? I had FOWL tank in the past, but this will be a reef tank, thinking mostly LPS, maybe some soft or mushrooms. Just want slower growing, patient is not a problem. Also like to support responsible live stock suppliers. Probably focus on fish from aquaculture, not wild caught. Coral, open for best practices too. Is this reasonable? So hit with your stocking suggestions and timeline for stocking. Any fish or clean up crew will be qt, coral will be dipped before going into display tank. Appreciate all advice in advance!

IMO I would get the live rock in the tank as soon as possible.

Duncans, Toadstools, Sinularia (Finger leathers), discosoma mushrooms, rhodactis mushrooms... These are all beginner friendly corals.

Will do, I am traveling right now so kept the Gulf live rock in the Qt tank as it was stable for life that came with it (bivalves, sponges, etc...).
Thanks for corals suggestions, definitely Duncans and I'll look into others.

 

[Rocks reef]

It honestly depends on what you are going for sir.
Have you seen a tank on here that you really like? If so, try and emulate that. You do not need “designer”, signature named” corals either. There are plenty of unnamed corals that look almost identical to the overpriced, dime sized frags out there.