First reef tank

mrbiggs1986 · Mar 23, 2022

First post, longtime lurker. I’m setting up a 75 gallon reef tank and it will be my first reef tank. I’ve been successful keeping large predator hap/peacocks for the last few years and I’m finally going to take the plunge. I’ve got a modular marine 1600gph overflow and 30” refugium sump and a sicce a/c pump. I’m going to plumb everything this weekend and hopefully add water next weekend. I’d like some opinions on my fish list and any tips on cycling dry rock.

fish list:
red skunk shrimp
Red serpent star fish
Diamond goby
Purple firefish
Midas blenny
Royal gramma
One spot fox face
Bengali cardinal
2 clown fish
Powder blue tang

I’ll also post a picture of my aquascape. I’ve only completed one side and I’m working on the other.

T-J · Mar 23, 2022

Welcome to the hobby!
I think your tank is too small for some of those fish. Specifically, the Foxface and the Tang. Personally, I also stay away from starfish.

Sharkbait19 · Mar 23, 2022

I agree about the tang. I’ve read fox face can fit but no real experience with them.
The only tangs that can be in a 4 foot tank are yellow and kole to my knowledge.
Brittle stars are super easy to keep so I wouldn’t be too worried about one - they aren’t like classic stars.

shakacuz · Mar 23, 2022

would switch that PBT to a kole or tomini tang, and switch the fox face to a hector's goby, and court jester goby. the diamond goby is a sand sifter, so the sand will need to be establish before it gets introduced to the tank.

Lost in the Sauce · Mar 23, 2022

Is it a 4', 75g?

There are mostly docile fish there.

The Foxface will get 8-9" Eventually. If you start with a small one, it will get some good years in that tank, but will eventually need to be rehomed, or uptanked.

I have a Personal issue with any Tang that starts with Powder, or Purple. There are a few bristle tooth tangs which could do well in it's stead. Yellow/blue eye kole Tang, white tail bristle tooth to name my favorites. Tomini although a Bristle tooth, seem to shoot up to 5" Really fast and I would avoid.

Consider a Trio of purple fire fish. Pair at least. They are a bit reclusive and skittish by nature. Having friends around makes this less so. The way they communicate to each other flicking up and down their fins is really cool to watch.

Bangaii's also do well in a pair

The scape is looking great. You've put some time into it. There are a Bunch of threads about starting dry rock on here. I'll just add that I would at least Attempt to procure a few pieces of long established, quality live rock to supplement the dry Marco. Bacteria in a bottle will only get you so far.

I I have collected and traded rock with people that I know have clean systems just for the diversity.

mrbiggs1986 · Mar 23, 2022

Thanks for the input. I will look for a yellow or blue eye tang instead of powder blue tang. I’ll give the fox face a go and make sure to get him on the smaller side.