Stocking level on 75gallon reef

[Shnicnick]

Hey there everyone!

I just wanted to see what everyone thinks about the current stocking and what options would be for future stocking.

My tank is a 75gallon with plenty of rock and an ice cap skimmer in the sump plus some marine pure spheres and a 8x8x4 block. I am trying to grow some chaeto but currently don't think it is going very well. Nutrients maybe?

My current livestock in:
1 Two Spot Bristletooth Tang
1 Blue Star Leopard Wrasse
1 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
1 Diamond Goby
1 Tail Spot Blenny
4 Bangaii Cardinals.

If I were able to add more fish I would either want to go the route of chalk bass or some more wrasse, most likely a fairy or two.
What are all of your thoughts!?

 

[Dunc]

Hey there everyone!

I just wanted to see what everyone thinks about the current stocking and what options would be for future stocking.

My tank is a 75gallon with plenty of rock and an ice cap skimmer in the sump plus some marine pure spheres and a 8x8x4 block. I am trying to grow some chaeto but currently don't think it is going very well. Nutrients maybe?

My current livestock in:
1 Two Spot Bristletooth Tang
1 Blue Star Leopard Wrasse
1 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
1 Diamond Goby
1 Tail Spot Blenny
4 Bangaii Cardinals.

If I were able to add more fish I would either want to go the route of chalk bass or some more wrasse, most likely a fairy or two.
What are all of your thoughts!?

I use the 5 gallon rule. So your tank could comfortably support 15 inches of fish with normal maintenance. Looks like you will exceed that when your fish reach maturity. I personally would not add anymore fish but if you increase water changes you might get away with it. Do you use a Seneye reef monitor? This would help.

 

[ZoWhat]

I'm more interested in the Leopard Wrasse and how you got it to survive from the acclimationto your tank.

They're beyond expert level to get to eat from the LFS to ones tank. I'd say on average there is a 10% success rate

Any tips?

 

[ReefSapper]

I love the idea of a fairy wrasse or two, I don't mind bending the 'rules' in my tank and as long as parameters can be kept stable and the fish have room to swim, if you feel the same go for it!

 

[JCM]

I'm more interested in the Leopard Wrasse and how you got it to survive from the acclimationto your tank.

They're beyond expert level to get to eat from the LFS to ones tank. I'd say on average there is a 10% success rate

Any tips?

I kept a meleagris for 9 years before she passed away. Like you mentioned, getting them to eat is the challenge. Once they are eating, they aren't difficult fish to keep. The best way is to find one already eating at the LFS.

 

[Shnicnick]

I use the 5 gallon rule. So your tank could comfortably support 15 inches of fish with normal maintenance. Looks like you will exceed that when your fish reach maturity. I personally would not add anymore fish but if you increase water changes you might get away with it. Do you use a Seneye reef monitor? This would help.

This rule definitely makes sense, I think what I will end up doing is watching my nutrients for a while and seeing what happens, in this tank I’ve always struggled with lower nutrients, so if those don’t improve I would think this would be a sign I can get some more.

I don’t use a seneye reef monitor or any other, I spend enough time with my tank that I don’t feel like I need to get a controller/monitor.

 

[Shnicnick]

I'm more interested in the Leopard Wrasse and how you got it to survive from the acclimationto your tank.

They're beyond expert level to get to eat from the LFS to ones tank. I'd say on average there is a 10% success rate

Any tips?

I'm more interested in the Leopard Wrasse and how you got it to survive from the acclimationto your tank.

They're beyond expert level to get to eat from the LFS to ones tank. I'd say on average there is a 10% success rate

Any tips?

I would say my key to success was a very established tank/ sand bed. And therefore plenty of pods for it to eat while acclimating to the tank.

During my beginning period I had to go through a fallow period, so essentially after all that time without fish in my tank the pod population was exploding, and subsequent fish couldn’t do a whole lot to bring it down!

I wouldn’t say I have had long term success yet, I am only at around 1 month of having said wrasse, and it is still fairly shy in the tank. Hopefully it gets more out and about!!!

Also, just curious, those of you who have or have had leopard wrasse, how long did it take for you to start seeing it regularly out and about?

 

[Shnicnick]

I love the idea of a fairy wrasse or two, I don't mind bending the 'rules' in my tank and as long as parameters can be kept stable and the fish have room to swim, if you feel the same go for it!

If I were to get another wrasse I was thinking an exquisite wrasse would be super cool! I don’t know what it is but I am totally drawn to those colors!!!