Planning Stage - Stocking and Compatibility Questions

Billyjose4

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Before I create my Build Thread, I want to get more input from those more experienced. It's not my first reef tank, but my first in 15 years.
I won't be adding these all at the start- nor could I afford to $$$. Below is my proposed stocking over the life of my "forever" tank. 220g (72"x24"x30")... for my kids. :grinning-face-with-smiling-eyes:
Appreciate any feedback or input relating to anything below. If you've had good or bad experiences, compatibility issues, or whatever, I value your input.

Livestock (Proposed):
4 small yellow tangs
2 small hippo tangs
1 small coral beauty angelfish
1 small flame angelfish
1 small bicolor angelfish
1 small lemonpeel or yellow angelfish
4 small captive-bred ocellarish clownfish
1-2 (large classification) angelfish [Emporer, Regal, Blue, or Queen] - undecided
1-2 *Reef Safe* Wrasses - undecided

Inverts (Proposed):
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs
Electric Blue Hermit Crabs
Emerald Crabs
Blood Red Fire Shrimp
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Snapping Shrimp
Nassarius Snails
Cerith Snails
Turbo Snails

LPS Corals (Proposed):
Elegance Coral
Flower Pot Coral
Galaxea Coral
Duncan Coral
Grape Coral
Torch Coral
Frogspawn Coral
Alveopora Coral
Plate Coral
 
With respect to livestock, even in a large tank you may have issues with the two dwarf angels. I have a midnight and coral beauty that do get along now, but they also spent a week sorting out 'living arrangements'. Also note that any angels (including the dwarfs) can be coral nippers. My coral beauty dwarf angel and juvenile emperor angel haven't even looked at a coral; the midnight dwarf angel will destroy any acans I place in the tank. There's a theory that if you get the fish small and young they may not have taken up any bad coral habits. This doesn't always pan out, though.

Inverts are fine, but the electric blue hermits (while nice) are apparently mean SOBs and may kill off your other hermits. I'd stick to algae, blue and scarlet. Not sure about the compatibility with the various shrimp (hopefully someone more knowledgeable can weigh-in).

In terms of corals, the only suggestion I can make is to start out with soft corals - as they're easier to care for, less expensive and more forgiving. They're also cheaper to replace - and just like doctors - you can fully expect to kill something.
 
With respect to livestock, even in a large tank you may have issues with the two dwarf angels. I have a midnight and coral beauty that do get along now, but they also spent a week sorting out 'living arrangements'. Also note that any angels (including the dwarfs) can be coral nippers. My coral beauty dwarf angel and juvenile emperor angel haven't even looked at a coral; the midnight dwarf angel will destroy any acans I place in the tank. There's a theory that if you get the fish small and young they may not have taken up any bad coral habits. This doesn't always pan out, though.

Inverts are fine, but the electric blue hermits (while nice) are apparently mean SOBs and may kill off your other hermits. I'd stick to algae, blue and scarlet. Not sure about the compatibility with the various shrimp (hopefully someone more knowledgeable can weigh-in).

In terms of corals, the only suggestion I can make is to start out with soft corals - as they're easier to care for, less expensive and more forgiving. They're also cheaper to replace - and just like doctors - you can fully expect to kill something.
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IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%

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