DT Prime
Active Member
Hey Everyone!
Still wrapping up the cycle on my first saltwater tank (Reefer 250) and wanted to get a head start and ask for some advice on a stocking list so I can do more in-depth research and determine appropriate CUC, introduction/purchase order, etc. In general I prefer the Indo-Pacific species/look but am open to any that will get along. I plan on trying to keep SPS so all inhabitants need to be safe with them, and in general I'm looking for a peaceful reef tank. I have a 1.5"-2" sand bed using CaribSea Special Grade. My scape is one mid size island consisting mostly of smaller rock and then one larger island/cave consisting of about 6 larger rocks with a few small ones in the mix, and then a "bridge" between them just above the sand bed.
Base rocks are on the bottom glass vs on top of sand, most of the rocks on top are loose except the four bigger ones making up the right side which are zip tied together. Equipment is 2 Kessil 360WE's, 2 MP40's, oversized skimmer (Vertex 180i), heater/chiller, 3 part doser (calc/alk/mag) and phosban/carbon reactor.
Let me know if there's any other info I can provide to help you make recommendations! Here are a few that have my interest so far:
-Goby/Shrimp pair: not a must but high on my list, any symbiotes have my interest in general.
-Blenny: I like the shape and their movement adds a nice dimension to the motion of the tank.
-Mandarin: obviously beautiful and I'm willing to supplement any tank-bred pods with purchases if necessary
-Trio of something?: Not a necessity unless it's something that really steals the show but I do like the idea of having a small group of something. Seems like I'm too small for anthias unfortunately? They would be my first preference probably, then wrasses if they would fit better? Chromis seems to be the default but they don't do a ton for me aesthetically, that said I guess they look pretty good under the Kessil shimmer.
Based on which of the above I ended up with here are just some random ones I wouldn't mind having if there was room: Cave Transparent or other non-shrimp-paired Gobies, Dottybacks, Basslets, Firefish, small Angelfish.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback!
Still wrapping up the cycle on my first saltwater tank (Reefer 250) and wanted to get a head start and ask for some advice on a stocking list so I can do more in-depth research and determine appropriate CUC, introduction/purchase order, etc. In general I prefer the Indo-Pacific species/look but am open to any that will get along. I plan on trying to keep SPS so all inhabitants need to be safe with them, and in general I'm looking for a peaceful reef tank. I have a 1.5"-2" sand bed using CaribSea Special Grade. My scape is one mid size island consisting mostly of smaller rock and then one larger island/cave consisting of about 6 larger rocks with a few small ones in the mix, and then a "bridge" between them just above the sand bed.
Base rocks are on the bottom glass vs on top of sand, most of the rocks on top are loose except the four bigger ones making up the right side which are zip tied together. Equipment is 2 Kessil 360WE's, 2 MP40's, oversized skimmer (Vertex 180i), heater/chiller, 3 part doser (calc/alk/mag) and phosban/carbon reactor.
Let me know if there's any other info I can provide to help you make recommendations! Here are a few that have my interest so far:
-Goby/Shrimp pair: not a must but high on my list, any symbiotes have my interest in general.
-Blenny: I like the shape and their movement adds a nice dimension to the motion of the tank.
-Mandarin: obviously beautiful and I'm willing to supplement any tank-bred pods with purchases if necessary
-Trio of something?: Not a necessity unless it's something that really steals the show but I do like the idea of having a small group of something. Seems like I'm too small for anthias unfortunately? They would be my first preference probably, then wrasses if they would fit better? Chromis seems to be the default but they don't do a ton for me aesthetically, that said I guess they look pretty good under the Kessil shimmer.
Based on which of the above I ended up with here are just some random ones I wouldn't mind having if there was room: Cave Transparent or other non-shrimp-paired Gobies, Dottybacks, Basslets, Firefish, small Angelfish.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback!
