Advice for stocking fish in my new tank

Diznaster · Apr 30, 2018

Hello all, first time here hope I got this in the right place.

I'm looking for some input on choosing fish. I have a 90 gallon with a 40 gal sump, 80lbs of reef saver dry rock in tank, aqua-scape has lots of hiding places. 3 marine pure 4x8 ceramic blocks in sump. It is a little over 5 weeks established all parameters are acceptable and stable. I have done a lot of planning for this tank, plumbed water and drain lines to it, setup apex controller, etc... Now I find myself with the fun problem of figuring out what fish I want to add! I plan to add plenty of mixed corals too, but I think I understand what I want and can do for that. So here is where it is at now: Initial cycle is done, I used RedSea reef mature. I added Purple Helix coralline at the beginning and I am seeing a lot of color spots. I also added copepods early on and I have a borderline unsightly infestation of them (good problem, just need to find something to eat them). I have a couple emerald crabs, peppermint shrimp, scarlet hermits, misc. snails, all doing well. Two clowns have been in for a week and are active and doing well. They seem to be poking at my copepod explosion, but would rather eat the pellets and be full.

So that said, and sorry if it was too lengthy. Please throw me some ideas for fish I can research. I need something to eat all these copepods, but not eradicate them and starve. I'd like to add a Diamond Goby at some point. Thinking about a Tang, but I need to figure out a food source first.

Sorry if this question seems overly broad. I am new to the hobby, but please trust me I am doing a lot of research and planning. Really just looking for ideas of fish to look at for a colorful peaceful tank.

eatbreakfast · May 1, 2018

Small Halichoeres wrasse species, such as; chrysus, biocellatus, leucurus, cosmetus, and iridis will eat pods.

One of the following tangs will work; tomini, kole, squaretail bristletooth, yellow, but a 90 is only big enough for 1 tang.

Royal gramma is a ubiquitous reef fish.

Longnose or flame hawk is very personable.

nereefpat · May 1, 2018

Great suggestions above.

Others to look into:

Fairy/flasher wrasses
Orchid dottyback
Damsels in the Chrysiptera genus
Firefish
Cardinals

Mr. Limpid · May 1, 2018

If you add something to eat pods you will need a safe place for the pods to reproduce. I suggest adding micro algae to your sump with a light, once your algae grows you can thin it out by removing and dropping into the DT. This will let additional pods up into DT besides pump blasting them up there and your tang will enjoy the salad.
Welcome.

Zack K · May 1, 2018

Wrasse always makes a great option. They are very pretty, affordable, and don’t take up much real estate.

Seeing as your tank is new, the new tank uglies already booked a spot, a diamond Goby can help combat that by churning your sandbed. Their will be a bit of digging the first few weeks, but once he settles down and finds a permenant home, he will be your best friend.

If you want a schoaling Fish, I would recommend maybe some Chromis or a few Skunk Clownfish if you want an Anemone.

Diznaster · May 1, 2018

Thanks for all the ideas so far really appreciate it.

One question about the Wrasse, I have read they can be a little territorial and will go after the peppermint shrimp. I've also read people say the shrimp are not "Reef Safe" and will eat some corals so the Wrasse is doing you a "favor". I quite like the shrimp they scavenge well and look cool, but...

Interesting idea about using micro algae as Tang treats, I could probably do that and will look into it. The Reef Saver rock also has a ton of small holes leading to internal spaces the pods can thrive and nothing else can get to, so that should help them also (I think).

New tank uglies booked a spot, that made me laugh. Yeah I was a little down when my rock was covered in brown, but as many other posts stated it goes away as quick as it started. My sand still gets some spots and if it isn't too soon to add the Diamond Goby I'd like to. I have read that they should be added to a mature tank so they have enough to eat. I can feed more/heavy if it will help it, my PO4 is zero, which I understand is not ideal. NO3 is 3.5ppm and has dropped rapidly to that level recently.

Zack K · May 1, 2018

Their are many variants of Wrasse out their. ALL of them act differently. Yes, their are some that way Shrimp, yes, their are some that nip at corals, but if you look under most websites their is a tab of “reef safe Wrasse” their you will find a boat load of beautifully colored Wrasse that are reef safe, shrimp safe, eye safe, feel safe, Anti Theft Safe. These include Fairy and Flasher Wrasses, Cleaner wrasses. Great options.

Feeding macro to the main DT isn’t always a good thing to do depending on what kind of Macro you use. Something like Blade Caleurpa will take over the main display of it catches root. Also found that some Tangs don’t like the algae as it supposedly tastes bitter. The pods can find their way to the main Display thru the return.
Diamond gobies have a a tenancy not to eat prepared foods when first introduced to captivity. Hence the Mature tank ideology. If you can find one that is eating, he should be fairly hardy.

With all this being said, you have a top for the tank correct?

Diznaster · May 1, 2018

Yes, I have a custom wood hood that I built, it has ventilation slots but nothing should be able to escape. My overflow has a cover also, so nothing can jump/climb into there.

I'll look at the Anti-Theft safe Wrasse, that sounds awesome! Point taken, find a variety that i like and has desired properties.

My LFS had a couple Diamond Goby last time I was there, I'll ask what they are feeding them. They are not pushy sellers, basically leave you alone unless you ask for help. Then they will talk to you at length, but still not push anything.