Is this too many fish?

[DrufusReef]

So it's been about 20 years since I've had a tank, and I've forgotten much. I just bought a 130.4 Aquabox, and want some opinion on my fish load. Keep in mind I will wait about a month between fish to make sure parameters are stable.
Blue/Green Reef Chromis x4
Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse
Black Comb-tooth Blenny
Richmond's Wrasse
One Spot FoxFace
Clownfish (Snowflake, Wyoming or Gladiator) x2
Yellow Eyed Kole Tang or Tomini Tang
Coral Beauty (maybe)
Banggai Cardinalfish (maybe)
Flame Hawk (maybe)

 

[andrewey]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I don't think that's overstocking. As long as you can keep your nutrient export up, I think it's a good stocking list. The biggest consideration will be when you introduce the fish.

 

[DrufusReef]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I don't think that's overstocking. As long as you can keep your nutrient export up, I think it's a good stocking list. The biggest consideration will be when you introduce the fish.

Thanks for your reply. I completely agree with when you introduce fish. The list is "almost" in order of peaceful to semi-aggressive fish (again I'm taking it slow). I'm still waiting on my tank to arrive, but do you think 2 filter socks and a protein skimmer is enough export with monthly water changes?

 

[andrewey]

Are you running it as a FOWLR or a reef tank? That's likely enough, but the good news is that if it's not, you can always move the water changes to 2x a month, install a refugium, carbon dose, etc

 

[DrufusReef]

Are you running it as a FOWLR or a reef tank? That's likely enough, but the good news is that if it's not, you can always move the water changes to 2x a month, install a refugium, carbon dose, etc

Fish only to start. Last time I had a tank there were no sumps only canisters and the closest we got to coral was an anemone . I plan on adding polyps at about 6 months and if parameters are good LPS then SPS once I add a Calcium reactor. I don't plan on adding a refuge..... Would that necessarily be a mistake?

 

[sfairtx]

Great list! Don’t necessarily need a refuge to start but you will need a way to export that nutrient load with that fish list you plan on having...especially is you plan to keep SPS.

 

[DrufusReef]

Great list! Don’t necessarily need a refuge to start but you will need a way to export that nutrient load with that fish list you plan on having...especially is you plan to keep SPS.

Would something like an algae scrubber do? I think I will be somewhat limited in my space in the sump.

I also want to be more focused on coral since that's never been an option for me in the past. Would shortening my fish list to this be more reasonable without a refuge?

Blue/Green Reef Chromis x4 (let's assume they will fight it out and there will only be 2)
Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse
Black Comb-tooth Blenny (this can go)
One Spot FoxFace
Clownfish (Snowflake, Wyoming or Gladiator) x2
Yellow Eyed Kole Tang or Tomini Tang

 

[gideon2086]

Fish only to start. Last time I had a tank there were no sumps only canisters and the closest we got to coral was an anemone . I plan on adding polyps at about 6 months and if parameters are good LPS then SPS once I add a Calcium reactor. I don't plan on adding a refuge..... Would that necessarily be a mistake?

A calcium reactor may be overkill until you have a relatively heavy coral load.

 

[DrufusReef]

A calcium reactor may be overkill until you have a relatively heavy coral load.

Would dosing be better or just the nutrients from the salt in water changes be enough?

 

[gideon2086]

Would dosing be better or just the nutrients from the salt in water changes be enough?

Your ALK should really be stable until you have coral. And once you start with coral I'd just start dosing. If you get very coral heavy and you're dosing often then maybe consider investing into a reactor. They're expensive, and you won't make that money back for a long, long time.

 

[andrewey]

Not having a refugium is not a mistake at all. They're easy for nutrient export, but just a tool- lots can do the same job

For fish only, you don't need to dose- even with only a few corals, water change should be enough. You'll know when you need a calcium reactor- when your dosing is getting ridiculous- you'll know when this time comes

 

[DrufusReef]

Your ALK should really be stable until you have coral. And once you start with coral I'd just start dosing. If you get very coral heavy and you're dosing often then maybe consider investing into a reactor. They're expensive, and you won't make that money back for a long, long time.

Awesome advice and very good to know. Thank you!!!

 

[gideon2086]

Awesome advice and very good to know. Thank you!!!

You’re welcome. You’ll be spending big bucks elsewhere lol! UV, apex, etc etc etc

 

[DrufusReef]

Not having a refugium is not a mistake at all. They're easy for nutrient export, but just a tool- lots can do the same job

For fish only, you don't need to dose- even with only a few corals, water change should be enough. You'll know when you need a calcium reactor- when your dosing is getting ridiculous- you'll know when this time comes

Thank you. That makes me feel better. I was hoping I could get away with not dosing, but was planning for it. I will try to get by with water changes and good reef keeping for as long as I can

 

[DrufusReef]

Not having a refugium is not a mistake at all. They're easy for nutrient export, but just a tool- lots can do the same job

For fish only, you don't need to dose- even with only a few corals, water change should be enough. You'll know when you need a calcium reactor- when your dosing is getting ridiculous- you'll know when this time comes

Thanks Andrew. I never added anything for my fish only tank years ago. I know Corals need more care, but I'm hoping to do the majority of the work with husbandry rather than additives. This gives me confidence that I'm on the right track.

 

[sfairtx]

Would something like an algae scrubber do? I think I will be somewhat limited in my space in the sump.

I also want to be more focused on coral since that's never been an option for me in the past. Would shortening my fish list to this be more reasonable without a refuge?

Blue/Green Reef Chromis x4 (let's assume they will fight it out and there will only be 2)
Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse
Black Comb-tooth Blenny (this can go)
One Spot FoxFace
Clownfish (Snowflake, Wyoming or Gladiator) x2
Yellow Eyed Kole Tang or Tomini Tang

Yup. I have a scrubber myself. Love it. Takes a bit of time to get enough algae growth on the scrubber itself to be able to counter a heavy bio load so plan accordingly.