Re-setup of 40G Breeder - Stocking Ideas

[ZJGMoparman]

I'm looking to pull my 40G breeder out of storage and set it back up as a reef tank. The tank is drilled with an overflow and 2 returns and has a 20L for a sump. I am in the process of building a stand to match the furniture in our house, so I have a while before any fish will be purchased. I've been doing quite a bit of research and thinking about what I would like to stock this tank with. I know there are a million threads for stocking a 40G breeder, but I would still like to run my stocking plans by you guys and take suggestions.

- I definitely would like to have a pair of clowns. I've always kept the standard false percs in the past, but am looking at snowflakes for this tank.
- I've always like the bangai cardinals and firefish, so I was thinking of one each of these
- I would like to have a wrasse. I really like the six-line, but am leaning towards some type of fairy wrasse due to some of the aggression from a sixline.
- I will probably add some type of blenny. Haven't decided on type yet. I like the tail spots and bicolors.
- I would really like a school of active fish. I've read a ton of mixed reviews about Blue/Green Chromis. I definitely don't want to overstock the tank by adding 5 of these along with my other stocking.

What are you guy's thoughts and suggestions?

 

[nereefpat]

Clowns, cardinal, firefish, wrasse, and blenny should be fine.

For a wrasse: the smallest and most peaceful ones are pink streak and the possum wrasses. If you want a fairy wrasse, there aren't many that will fit. Lubbock is a small, inexpensive, readily available one.

I doubt you'll be able to keep a group of chromis long term in a 40 breeder. One could be fine.

I usually suggest a hawkish, but you're getting pretty full.

 

[ReefnFG]

There are some smaller flasher wrasses that are nice and peaceful (Carpenter's, Mccoskers, Social, Filamented, Lubbucks(I know a few that got aggressive with other small fish, maybe add last?), Naoko's (a bit pricey but nice).
I also agreed with firefish. They are small active fish but need a tight fitting lid, they are creative jumpers. As far as blennies I've owned a few Midas blennies that were good citizens in a mixed reed. A couple Bangaii cardinals would also be ok.

This list also doesn't consider what type of corals if any you want to keep. All the fish metioned above are reef safe but if you are looking to keep SPS then I would consider a lighter stocked tank over a heavy one.

 

[ZJGMoparman]

Well, since I wrote the original post this morning, my plans have changed. I went to Petco at lunch just to look around. They are running their dollar per gallon sale. I ended up walking out of there with a 75 Gallon and 40 gallon to use as a sump.

Since I'm building a new stand anyways, now is the time to switch sizes. I'm sure the 75 really opens up my possibilities for stocking. Would this allow me to add the chromis or possible a small tang?

 

[nereefpat]

Tang: okay, depending on which one. The best for a 75 would be one of the bristle tooth (Ctenochaetus genus), like kole, tomini, truncated, white tail...but Not Chevron.

Chromis: 75 gives you better odds. Most people are disappointed with trying to keep a group of Chromis.

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Im looking to upgrade my tank into a 40g around Christmas time, one fish I've been looking at are the valentini puffers or a blue spotted puffer. They look good, just might need to watch your corals is what ive heard