Reef fish selection for new 90g rimless build... what do you think?

Hammerheadz · Oct 18, 2016

As my tank build continues along at pace, Salty in SA, I'm about ready to start QT'ing some fish in preparation to introduce to my new build.

Some things I'm keeping in mind...

No jumpers; rimless tank, I don't want to muck it up with a screen top
Good color variation
Stay away from the classics that will outgrow this tank; ie. Blue hippo, blond naso, yellow tang, etc.
Fish good long term in approximately 90 gallon display
No "with caution" reef safe fish
Plan to stock heavy; want great movement in the tank
Nothing too expensive; all my money is going to coral

Tank will be SPS dominate with some odds and ends LPS and zoas

Here's my list...

1 x Kole Yellow Eye Tang
1 x Midas Blenny
6 x Ignitus Anthias (1 male and 5 females)
2 x Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish
6 x Blue/Green Reef Chromis
1 x Purple Dottyback
1 x Green Mandarin (final addition once pod production is solid)

What do you think? Anything I should think of adding or possible issues with this mix?

DrewBrees713 · Oct 18, 2016

Royal Gramma for colors.

eatbreakfast · Oct 18, 2016

DBR said:
As my tank build continues along at pace, Salty in SA, I'm about ready to start QT'ing some fish in preparation to introduce to my new build.

Some things I'm keeping in mind...

No jumpers; rimless tank, I don't want to muck it up with a screen top
Good color variation
Stay away from the classics that will outgrow this tank; ie. Blue hippo, blond naso, yellow tang, etc.
Fish good long term in approximately 90 gallon display
No "with caution" reef safe fish
Plan to stock heavy; want great movement in the tank
Nothing too expensive; all my money is going to coral
Tank will be SPS dominate with some odds and ends LPS and zoas

Here's my list...

1 x Kole Yellow Eye Tang
1 x Midas Blenny
6 x Ignitus Anthias (1 male and 5 females)
2 x Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish
6 x Blue/Green Reef Chromis
1 x Purple Dottyback
1 x Green Mandarin (final addition once pod production is solid)

What do you think? Anything I should think of adding or possible issues with this mix?

The list looks good, just be mindful that any fish can jump. Also, purple dottybacks can be pretty aggressive, so should be added at the end.

Hammerheadz · Oct 18, 2016

DrewBrees713 said:
Royal Gramma for colors.

Will keep this one in mind. Thanks!

Duke4Life · Oct 18, 2016

Is there a reason why you don't want any sort of cover? This just eliminates the wrasse family which are some of the more beautiful active fish.

Hammerheadz · Oct 18, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
The list looks good, just be mindful that any fish can jump. Also, purple dottybacks can be pretty aggressive, so should be added at the end.

No doubt... Always the chance of that tang that thinks its a dolphin. Mostly want to stay away from the obvious jumpers like Wrasse's and Dartfish. Though I'd love to find a nice looking wrasse that isn't much of a jumper. Any thoughts? Seem's like all the wrasse's I've looked at or owned over the years are jumpers.

Hammerheadz · Oct 18, 2016

Duke4Life said:
Is there a reason why you don't want any sort of cover? This just eliminates the wrasse family which are some of the more beautiful active fish.

Aesthetics mostly. I just haven't seen a cover to date that kept the clean look of a rimless tank intact. I'm open to inspiration though.

Duke4Life · Oct 18, 2016

DBR said:
Aesthetics mostly. I just haven't seen a cover to date that kept the clean look of a rimless tank intact. I'm open to inspiration though.

#reefsquad

dbl · Oct 18, 2016

I'm not suggesting you "have" to have a cover, but this company does make some nice units. If you elect you can't live without your favorite wrasse, take a look here:

http://artfullyacrylic.3dcartstores.com/Red-Sea-Lids_c_54.html

Hammerheadz · Oct 18, 2016

dbl said:
I'm not suggesting you "have" to have a cover, but this company does make some nice units. If you elect you can't live without your favorite wrasse, take a look here:

http://artfullyacrylic.3dcartstores.com/Red-Sea-Lids_c_54.html

Thank you for the link. They do some nice work. I think I'm okay not doing wrasse's in this tank. I've got a pretty crowded tank I think without them in the selection I'm leaning towards.

alex.mccann99 · Oct 18, 2016

Pair of Leopard Wrasses has to be one of my favorites. I owned a happy couple for years without a top. It's risky though. I would avoid the Purple Dottyback, they're pretty, but can be very territorial. Instead of the Yellow Eyed Kole Tang, take a look at a Tomini Tang. The bright orange tips are awesome and they're not quite as common as the Kole. Maybe a One Spot Foxface. Mine always got a long great with a tang and they're great algae controllers. Have a lot of movement with their dorsal spines flicking all the time.

tom reilly · Oct 18, 2016

DBR said:
As my tank build continues along at pace, Salty in SA, I'm about ready to start QT'ing some fish in preparation to introduce to my new build.

Some things I'm keeping in mind...

No jumpers; rimless tank, I don't want to muck it up with a screen top
Good color variation
Stay away from the classics that will outgrow this tank; ie. Blue hippo, blond naso, yellow tang, etc.
Fish good long term in approximately 90 gallon display
No "with caution" reef safe fish
Plan to stock heavy; want great movement in the tank
Nothing too expensive; all my money is going to coral
Tank will be SPS dominate with some odds and ends LPS and zoas

Here's my list...

1 x Kole Yellow Eye Tang
1 x Midas Blenny
6 x Ignitus Anthias (1 male and 5 females)
2 x Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish
6 x Blue/Green Reef Chromis
1 x Purple Dottyback
1 x Green Mandarin (final addition once pod production is solid)

What do you think? Anything I should think of adding or possible issues with this mix?

Welcome fellow SA reefer!

Ljaus · Oct 18, 2016

A purple dart fish or royal grammar would be a lot safer option over a dottyback

Hammerheadz · Oct 21, 2016

alex.mccann99 said:
Pair of Leopard Wrasses has to be one of my favorites. I owned a happy couple for years without a top. It's risky though. I would avoid the Purple Dottyback, they're pretty, but can be very territorial. Instead of the Yellow Eyed Kole Tang, take a look at a Tomini Tang. The bright orange tips are awesome and they're not quite as common as the Kole. Maybe a One Spot Foxface. Mine always got a long great with a tang and they're great algae controllers. Have a lot of movement with their dorsal spines flicking all the time.

Thanks for the feedback. Will seriously consider both options here. I am inclined to lean away from the one spot initially because they nip at LPS and softys occasionally but I know many people have no issues here. I am trying to stay away from inverts and fish that could potentially cause an issue.

For instance... in the last 3 tanks I've had I put an emerald crab in each one. First two tanks... no problem. 3rd tank... a menace. Grew really large and just couldn't keep it fed enough so it starting turning on corals and small fish. Just wrecking anything it could get it's claws on. Guy was a possessed monster... This tank? No emeralds...

I'm still thinking about the one spot though...

Thanks!

Hammerheadz · Oct 21, 2016

tom reilly said:
Welcome fellow SA reefer!

Thanks!

Hammerheadz · Oct 21, 2016

Ljaus said:
A purple dart fish or royal grammar would be a lot safer option over a dottyback

Ya I may kill the dottyback idea and go Royal Gramma instead. I've decided against the dart fish for this tank though. Every one I've ever had has eventually ended up fish jerky on the floor of my house somewhere...

Ljaus · Oct 21, 2016

DBR said:
Ya I may kill the dottyback idea and go Royal Gramma instead. I've decided against the dart fish for this tank though. Every one I've ever had has eventually ended up fish jerky on the floor of my house somewhere...

Nice choice with gramma!