Too Much, Too Quick? & Two Part

[Donlow]

My co-worker is giving up his tank. He's been in the hobby for years and has a load of equipment and three fish he wants to get rid of. He hasn't shut down because he can't find them a home. I just started a 90 Gal tank a few months ago. I vowed to go slow. I have 90 pounds of live rock, 4 green chrome damsels, a maroon clown and a yellow tang. All is good in my tank. I don't want his equipment but might take the fish.
He has a 6" fox face, a 4" Ocellaris Clown and a 8"Niger Trigger

Two-part question:
First: Can I add these guys to my tank and expect harmony? Will this max out my capacity?

Second: My co-worker suggested that I remove all my live rock for a few days if I take his fish. He said that after a few days I should add it back and there should be no territorial problems. Anybody ever hear of this? Will this mess up my water? Should I just add the fish?

I have plenty of tanks to hold the live rock if this makes sense.

 

[Adrinal]

Likely it will all work except for the clowns. Pushing the limits of the bioload. If you are prepared and equiped its doable long term.

Acclimation AKA howdie boxes (stole that term from superman and crew) help alot. Acclimation boxes are clear tanks inside of a tank... like big breeder boxes. This will help alot.

I have heard lots of good props for the moving-the-tank-rock-around-trick (never tried it myself).

Leaving the lights off for a day will help.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, you actually don't have to leave the tank WITOUT rock. The key is to really change up the aquascape so that the fish's territories are all lost. Once they don't have their usual rock to defend they're all much less agressive and will be less pissy to the newcomer. I only tried this once and it did work.

 

[littleme1969]

In my own experience mixing clowns is a nightmare and I woudnt recomend it. maroon clowns are known for their agression and as the other is a large common this will no doubt start a major turf war. I even tried the changing the rock work and making sure there where different areas to establish new teratories making sure the line of sight was blocked and this had no effect. It depends totally on the fish mixing 2 comon clowns would be fine but with a maroon I would say no. they are similar to tomato clowns with their behaviour and can be a nightmare. You can always give it a go but have another tank on stand by just in case.

 

[Donlow]

In my own experience mixing clowns is a nightmare and I woudnt recomend it. maroon clowns are known for their agression and as the other is a large common this will no doubt start a major turf war. I even tried the changing the rock work and making sure there where different areas to establish new teratories making sure the line of sight was blocked and this had no effect. It depends totally on the fish mixing 2 comon clowns would be fine but with a maroon I would say no. they are similar to tomato clowns with their behaviour and can be a nightmare. You can always give it a go but have another tank on stand by just in case.

Thanks for the ideas. I like the idea of moving the rock rather than taking it out.
Maybe I'll pass on the clown.
Going on vacation in two weeks so will not attempt it before I get back.