New 90 gallon!! What shall I put in it?

[Tyler Bullock]

I have a few questions in this post. I should have my 90 up and running in the next few weeks. Very excited. I currently have a 10 gallon with 2 clows and a dottyback.

##forgot to mention this is going to be a bare bottom tank##

Here is what I am wanting to stock my 90 with.

my 2 clowns
copperband butterly
kole tang
yellow or purple tang

Those are the main ones I am wanting.

Here are my questions

What should I add first?

I was thinking about adding the clowns and a copperband to establish it in the tank first.

When should I add the tangs?

Add them at the same time? or space them out?

How long should I wait to add all these fish?

week or two in between every new addition? Month?

Just to bring you up to speed with what I am working with. I will quarantine every fish for 2-4 weeks. That tank is cycled and ready. I am also planning on doing the BRS/WWC 4 month cycle before adding corals so I am really focusing on fish at this time. I plan on letting the tank cycle for 2 months before adding any fish. When the fish are added I will turn the lights on.

What are you thoughts? all help will be appreciated! Do you recommend anything else?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Sounds like a decent plan. I think you are on the right track, I'd add the tangs last and either at the same time or Kole tang first. I think if you are QT'ing for a month, there should be enough time between additions to allow your system to catch-up. Especially if it takes a week or two to procure the next guy.

Only problem I see, is that your list is seriously lacking in the wrasse department #wrasseaddictsanonymous

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Copperbands can be tough, be prepared to get it eating. Look into having some masstick on hand befor getting one.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Copperbands can be tough, be prepared to get it eating. Look into having some masstick on hand befor getting one.

I agree... I'm 0 for 3 on getting one through QT, even with a fully stocked food arsenal at the ready Although, I did get one eating and then it died from a bacterial infection...

 

[Tyler Bullock]

My tank is going to be bare bottom. I forgot to ask questions about wrasses. Are there wrasses that will do fine in bare bottom that will actually benefit my tank? I have read most of the wrasses that will do fine in bare bottom wont do much for my tank.

Thanks you for the reply's!

 

[Bryce M.]

Not too sure about what types of wrasses will do, not an expert. Those fish seem like a good plan, copperbands can be tough though but I've heard they are rewarding. Add tangs last, careful with the two tangs, add them at the same time and they should be perfectly fine

 

[Bryce M.]

Add a fish (or pair) once a week, or if you want and can afford it, you can add them at the same time, just wait one the tangs and make sure the tangs are the last things you add

 

[Sagecritter4life]

My orange back fairy wrasse is pretty cool [emoji6] and they are not a sand burrower/sleeper

 

[ngoodermuth]

Fairy/flasher wrasses do not need a sandbed... but in my experience they act more like anthias than other wrasses and hang out primarily in the water column.

If you are OK with only having one, the Pseudocheilinus wrasses don’t require a sandbed and are excellent at flatworm control. They just don’t play nice with other wrasses. Mystery wrasse is my personal favorite.

 

[Hemmdog]

Maybe a hawkfish of some sort? I have a geometric Pygmy hawk in my 90. He’s very entertaining to watch.

 

[Tiger Brown]

I'm no expert either, but I did keep a Copperband Butterfly for years and he was a beauty. Feeding can definitely be an issue with these fish. I had a deep sand bed and an UG filter at the time (the year was 1989) and he picked at the critters in my sandbed all the time. That snout is made for picking in sand and rocks so you might want to be sure your liverock is actually live to get him feeding. After I had him a while he did take frozen brine shrimp and even Formula One, but never dried food. '
I do not consider this a beginner fish. Just my experience, YMMV. Best of luck.

 

[Jesterrace]

Just me, but I wouldn't put a Zebrasoma Tang in a 90 gallon, they just get too big and aggressive for it. Had to remove a Yellow Tang from mine when it was just shy of half grown as it tried to claim my entire 90 gallon for itself. I feel that yellow tangs are best suited for 5 foot long or longer tanks and Purples are best suited for 6 foot long or longer tanks.

Copperbands can be tricky to keep alive, especially for a relative newbie. Is your tank FOWLR or reef? If it's FOWLR then it opens up some cool options for other butterflyfish that would do well in a 90 gallon long term. If it's reef you could try a longnose yellow.

As an alternative to the Yellow Tang, I strongly recommend looking into the One Spot Foxface. Many folks here have replaced their aggressive Yellow Tangs with one and been very happy with the results.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

SPS dominant tank. If I were go to FOWLR i would have completely different set up of fish. Foxface is defiantly an option. Tang police is about to write me a ticket, but I had a yellow tang in a 55 for about 6 years lol.

 

[Jesterrace]

SPS dominant tank. If I were go to FOWLR i would have completely different set up of fish. Foxface is defiantly an option. Tang police is about to write me a ticket, but I had a yellow tang in a 55 for about 6 years lol.

I take it you got it really small?

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I take it you got it really small?

It was about 3 inches when I got it.

 

[Jesterrace]

It was about 3 inches when I got it.

Mine was a complete jerk when it was between 4-5 inches.