Advice Needed On Stocking

[Queen Bee]

Adopted tank has been running for 2 weeks in new home. Water stats look good as far as the test show. Quarantine tank ready.

Been researching fish, and not too sure if what I want is going to live together peacefully. Some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tank stats

ph 8.2
Calcium 380
Phosphate 0
Amonia 0
Density 1.022
Nitrate 10
Kh 10
Temp 80
Size 29 Gallon
Live rock, polyps
Lighting t5 with Actinic & 10 000K tubes (Will replace this week for newer bulbs)
Substrata Argonite sugar sized granuales
Stock 2 clown & 2 blue damsels. (Came with tank)


So, for the fish of my dreams (and availibility at lfs)

A must have is a psych mandrin dragonet. Everything else must work around this little fellow.

Would like hermit crab (Blue Leg), Bengaii Cardinal, purple basslet, lawnmower blenny, and firefish goby. Actually any gobies and blennies but read that they are not tolerant of same species. Because they are so similar in appearence, would I have to chose one and that's it? Also would like some shrimp. Really like the open brain coral, but it needs to go in substrate, are blennies and gobies good idea with this coral?

The live rock does have some green hair algae on it, original tank was running for 1 1/2 years, so live rock is very mature. Added more live rock last week. Substrate is new.

Went to a different fish store. Their fish were not moving or swimming around. I assume same as freshwater. If fish are gathered at bottom of tank, stay away from them. Not healthy fish. Correct?

 

[nick87]

Adopted tank has been running for 2 weeks in new home. Water stats look good as far as the test show. Quarantine tank ready.

Been researching fish, and not too sure if what I want is going to live together peacefully. Some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tank stats

ph 8.2
Calcium 380
Phosphate 0
Amonia 0
Density 1.022 I would bring this up slowly to 1.025
Nitrate 10
Kh 10
Temp 80
Size 29 Gallon
Live rock, polyps
Lighting t5 with Actinic & 10 000K tubes (Will replace this week for newer bulbs)
Substrata Argonite sugar sized granuales
Stock 2 clown & 2 blue damsels. (Came with tank) If you can i would remove the damsels, they can get very aggressive, especially to new stock.

So, for the fish of my dreams (and availibility at lfs)

A must have is a psych mandrin dragonet. Everything else must work around this little fellow.

Not a fish i would reconmend, they need large amounts of liverock in big mature setups, if they don't they will slowly die of starvation.

Would like hermit crab (Blue Leg), Bengaii Cardinal, purple basslet, lawnmower blenny, and firefish goby. Actually any gobies and blennies but read that they are not tolerant of same species. Because they are so similar in appearence, would I have to chose one and that's it? Also would like some shrimp. Really like the open brain coral, but it needs to go in substrate, are blennies and gobies good idea with this coral?

How about a gobie and pistol shrimp pair? There are some stunning looking gobies, take a look at the yasha and dracula gobies.

The live rock does have some green hair algae on it, original tank was running for 1 1/2 years, so live rock is very mature. Added more live rock last week. Substrate is new.

Went to a different fish store. Their fish were not moving or swimming around. I assume same as freshwater. If fish are gathered at bottom of tank, stay away from them. Not healthy fish. Correct?

Always look for alert, healthy fish, if in doubt leave it out

 

[Queen Bee]

Thanks for input. I am so jealous of the different gobies that I saw on the forum. Lfs just doesn't carry gobies that colourful. I'll keep eye out though. Don't need to stock right away, would like to save space for if I do come across some stunning goby.

 

[nick87]

Thanks for input. I am so jealous of the different gobies that I saw on the forum. Lfs just doesn't carry gobies that colourful. I'll keep eye out though. Don't need to stock right away, would like to save space for if I do come across some stunning goby.

Any LFS should be able to order any fish you want, most gobies aren't difficult to get hold of.

 

[Queen Bee]

I never even thought to ask.

Bought a green brain today. Lfs had assorted coral on sale under $20. Thought maybe a flame scallop too. Also saw a twin spot sifter goby that was pretty cool.

 

[-Nemo-]

You might consider skipping the flame scallop. Their survival rate is terribly low.

Twin spots are neat little guys! Oooo and a brain, picture please!
I agree about the damsels. They are generally nothing but trouble.

 

[Queen Bee]

The corals were only $16 so it is a small brain. I love it anyways and wanted to try before I start spending $60 on coral. The other pics are of a dead coral that new coral has attached to. The purple coral has little white buds on the end that look like snowflakes. The white snowflakes disappear sometimes. Don't know what they are, but like the colour and shape of it. Name for this one anyone?







Can't get rid of damsels. They were a gift from boyfriends sister. I understand they are difficult, but will have to work around that. Sorry, I don't have the heart to return such a gift. She gave me her whole tank set up for nothing.

Good to know about the scallop. Was going back to buy it today. Think my first purchase will be the purple basslet. Copepods sound difficult to maintain being new to salt for only a couple of weeks. Tank isn't mature enough for dragonetts yet anyway. Maybe a couple of hermit crabs today.

 

[Queen Bee]

Made my first fish purchase today. Scarlet red hermit crab, pistol shrimp and yellow watchman goby. Preparing for the tank as we speak!

Hermit crab did wonderful job cleaning up algae after 1 day. Goby and shrimp found each other almost immediately and I love watching them interact with each other!

 

[seffieuk]

Is the pistal shrimp bonded with the watchman?

Seffie x