Need Help Planning Stock List for 70 Gallon Reef

[Warthur]

Hey guys,
I am going to be setting up a 70 gallon tank in the next few weeks and would like some help with what to stock it with. Here is what I am planning on doing:

1 Golden Dwarf Moray (already own it)
1 White Tail Bristletooth Tang or Golden Angel
3 Vanderbilt Chromis
1 Fourline Wrasse
2 Helfrichi Firefish

I am debating whether I should get the tang or the angel as Im not doing both. I would go with the angel if I could confirm it wasn't juiced but with these guys there isn't really a way to 100% guarantee it. Let me know what you guys think, if you have any different ideas than these fish please let me know

 

[Claus84]

Personally I would pick the angel over a tang in a 70, or perhaps go for a different, more reliable dwarf angel species. I thought about a white tail tang for my 90 but ultimately decided the tank would be too small for it.

 

[Warthur]

That's what I was thinking as well, just didn't like the sound of keeping a tang in that small a tank even if it only reaches 5 inches

 

[eatbreakfast]

A fourline wrasse will be problematic in the future to the firefish.

 

[Claus84]

Yeah it one of those cases where some people, including liveaquaria will tell you its fine in a 70 but having asked wt tang owners for their opinions the consensus seemed to be that 90 would be too cramped in the long run. A mate of mine has a 5" tomini in a 150 and I really can't imagine seeing it in a 4ft tank seeing how active it is so that out me off the idea completely. A dwarf angel would be a great choice for your tank though, I don't have experience with goldens but have kept a few different species, wouldn't have a tank without one now

 

[Fish Biscuit]

I tried a pair of helfrichi in a 40 breeder & it was great for 3 months until all hell broke loose. I'll never do multiple firefish again. Just be ready to have a place to put one in case a fight breaks out. Nasty little fish to each other at the end. The aggressor would hang by where the other was hiding & eventually chase him around all over again.

I have a potters angel in my 65 & it's a nice fish. I haven't seen him touch any corals except for a candy cane frag & that has algae on it so it's hard to say what it's eating. It's a busy fish for sure eating off the glass & cruising around the tank. Add the angel as the last fish.

 

[Warthur]

Thanks guys. Here's my new list:
1 golden dwarf moray eel
1 golden angelfish
1 helfrichi firefish
1 carpenter's flasher wrasse
3 blue green chromis

I'll be getting the golden angelfish Saturday as a LFS an hr away has 1 at 3" that seems healthy

 

[Claus84]

Thanks guys. Here's my new list:
1 golden dwarf moray eel
1 golden angelfish
1 helfrichi firefish
1 carpenter's flasher wrasse
3 blue green chromis

I'll be getting the golden angelfish Saturday as a LFS an hr away has 1 at 3" that seems healthy

I have just noticed you said in your original post that you are going to be setting up your 70 in a few weeks. You would need to add the angel last ideally, also you'll have a much better shot at keeping it healthy with a more mature tank, are you using live rock?

Also I'm not sure how you are planning on cycling the tank but I would 100% NOT rush it with a bacterial product, it's not worth the risk subjecting the angel to ammonia spikes, I'd also be surprised if a bacteria product could cope with the ammonia produced by the moray. Again this may not ne relevant as may have other plans but I would take it slow, there will be other angels so it may be best passing on this one until you can provide it a suitable home

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Adding your most peaceful fish first and aggressive fish last is just as important as compatibility. +1 on adding the Angelfish last.

 

[Warthur]

I have just noticed you said in your original post that you are going to be setting up your 70 in a few weeks. You would need to add the angel last ideally, also you'll have a much better shot at keeping it healthy with a more mature tank, are you using live rock?

Also I'm not sure how you are planning on cycling the tank but I would 100% NOT rush it with a bacterial product, it's not worth the risk subjecting the angel to ammonia spikes, I'd also be surprised if a bacteria product could cope with the ammonia produced by the moray. Again this may not ne relevant as may have other plans but I would take it slow, there will be other angels so it may be best passing on this one until you can provide it a suitable home

Yes. The angel's qt will be far longer than the rest since the goldens can be frail (I have 2 qt running). Tank will be running in 3 weeks. I qt for a long time (1-2 months)

 

[Claus84]

Yes. The angel's qt will be far longer than the rest since the goldens can be frail (I have 2 qt running). Tank will be running in 3 weeks. I qt for a long time (1-2 months)

Really it would take a good 6months + before a tank could be considered mature, if it were me I would pass on this fish and look at getting one 6 months down the line when your tank is mature and all your other livestock has settled in, generally no good comes from rushing anything in this hobby. Just my opinion so take it or leave it but I personally would wait.

 

[Warthur]

Really it would take a good 6months + before a tank could be considered mature, if it were me I would pass on this fish and look at getting one 6 months down the line when your tank is mature and all your other livestock has settled in, generally no good comes from rushing anything in this hobby. Just my opinion so take it or leave it but I personally would wait.

Very true. I have a 30 cube that has been running that I can put it in until there is sufficient algae on the lr if it comes down to that. Rushing is never good in this hobby, I would not get the angel unless I felt I had the space and if it had sufficient algae to graze off of in the mean time until its build up in the 70.

 

[Warthur]

Hey guys, update on the stocking I'm looking at for the tank wondering what you think. It's a 70g with a 29 gallon sump

Current stock:
1 Labout's Fairy Wrasse 2.75"
1 MH Miami White Clownfish 2"
CUC

I am thinking of adding:
Another ocellaris (smaller)
Golden angel
Green manderain

How does that sound? Any other suggestions?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Hey guys, update on the stocking I'm looking at for the tank wondering what you think. It's a 70g with a 29 gallon sump

Current stock:
1 Labout's Fairy Wrasse 2.75"
1 MH Miami White Clownfish 2"
CUC

I am thinking of adding:
Another ocellaris (smaller)
Golden angel
Green manderain

How does that sound? Any other suggestions?

I've found golden angels can be quite nippy to corals. Other than that the list looks good. Just be sure to let the system mature for 6+months before adding the mandarin.