Stocking List input

[AnomMatty]

Just looking for input for compatibility/best addition order/etc for our mixed reef.
40 gallon breeder with sandbed

Planned:
Flame Hawkfish
Clownfish pair
Purple Firefish (goby)
Mandarin
Valentini Puffer (know the issues with inverts, plan to try deterrence through diet)

Wanted, but believe there's issues:
Puddingwife wrasse (size)
Blue Hippo Tang (size)
(kicked around the idea of getting juveniles and rehoming once they're approaching too big for the tank, but unsure if that's feasible)

Non-fish:
Blue legged hermits (know the mixed feelings/experiences with them, prepared to remove if we get coral aggressiveness)
Torchus Snails
Nassarius Snails
Cerith Snails
Tiger conch
Bubble Tip Nem
Maxima Clam (way down the road)
Mixed Corals

Any input/insight is appreciated.

 

[eelman07]

Make sure your tank is established with lots of pods before adding a Mandarin
Tank is way too small for any tang especially blue tangs
You will have to also be careful with the flame hawkfish, they will sometimes eat inverts

 

[AnomMatty]

Make sure your tank is established with lots of pods before adding a Mandarin
Tank is way too small for any tang especially blue tangs
You will have to also be careful with the flame hawkfish, they will sometimes eat inverts

Planning on the Mandarin being one of the later additions, so we can add/build a healthy pod population beforehand.

That's been my gut feeling on the tang, kids will be disappointed to wait for the next build

 

[lil sumpin]

I'd recommend something like a diamond goby or six line wrasse. The diamond goby will keep the sand bed stirred up and turned over while the six line might keep certain pest populations in check. The issue with these two is that they may also compete with the mandarin for pods

 

[Sharkbait19]

A dwarf angel could work in lieu of a tang - somewhat similar in behavior. My flameback is always out cruising my 40B.
A cherub, flameback, or coral beauty are all options (among others).
The only problem is that it also runs the risk of being a coral eater. IMO I wouldn’t do a puffer and angel together solely so I don’t have to deal with 2 coral eaters.

 

[William Chiavetta]

Make sure your tank is established with lots of pods before adding a Mandarin
Tank is way too small for any tang especially blue tangs
You will have to also be careful with the flame hawkfish, they will sometimes eat inverts

+1

 

[AnomMatty]

A dwarf angel could work in lieu of a tang - somewhat similar in behavior. My flameback is always out cruising my 40B.
A cherub, flameback, or coral beauty are all options (among others).
The only problem is that it also runs the risk of being a coral eater. IMO I wouldn’t do a puffer and angel together solely so I don’t have to deal with 2 coral eaters.

The draw for wanting a tang in this tank is solely the kids and Dory. I'd prefer to wait until I convince the wife to let me play on the over 120gallon range.