Stocking Question

gryphontyphoon · Jul 31, 2020

Hey all, I've had a 125 gallon 6ft tank going for about 3 months. It's got about 40 lbs of sand and 60 lbs of rock. 34 gallon sump with a protein skimmer rated for a 180 gallon tank. Current stock is Snowflake eel about 1'3" a porcupine puffer 3" a Harlequin tusk 5" and a Picasso trigger 4"
So the questions I have are about further stocking, there are 2 fish on my radar. A Marine Betta and a dwarf lion. Based on what I have would those 2 be doable? Also was curious if I would be able to get an anemone in there with a maroon clown?

Arlen nemeth · Jul 31, 2020

gryphontyphoon said:
Hey all, I've had a 125 gallon 6ft tank going for about 3 months. It's got about 40 lbs of sand and 60 lbs of rock. 34 gallon sump with a protein skimmer rated for a 180 gallon tank. Current stock is Snowflake eel about 1'3" a porcupine puffer 3" a Harlequin tusk 5" and a Picasso trigger 4"
So the questions I have are about further stocking, there are 2 fish on my radar. A Marine Betta and a dwarf lion. Based on what I have would those 2 be doable? Also was curious if I would be able to get an anemone in there with a maroon clown?

if all of these fish are predators which im pretty sure they are it would work considering both of those fish can be aggressive. Agressive fish balance eachother out

Marvollo · Jul 31, 2020

I think you are fine with stocking. That will be a large bio load so keep an eye on food waste with those messy eaters.

Pistondog · Jul 31, 2020

gryphontyphoon said:
Hey all, I've had a 125 gallon 6ft tank going for about 3 months. It's got about 40 lbs of sand and 60 lbs of rock. 34 gallon sump with a protein skimmer rated for a 180 gallon tank. Current stock is Snowflake eel about 1'3" a porcupine puffer 3" a Harlequin tusk 5" and a Picasso trigger 4"
So the questions I have are about further stocking, there are 2 fish on my radar. A Marine Betta and a dwarf lion. Based on what I have would those 2 be doable? Also was curious if I would be able to get an anemone in there with a maroon clown?

The lionfish is a risk, they feed like a bass. He will win.
Maybe someone else has one...

gryphontyphoon · Jul 31, 2020

Marvollo said:
I think you are fine with stocking. That will be a large bio load so keep an eye on food waste with those messy eaters.

I do a 20 gallon a week water change is that enough or should I go to 30

Pistondog · Jul 31, 2020

gryphontyphoon said:
I do a 20 gallon a week water change is that enough or should I go to 30

Your test kit will tell you.
Maybe run some chaeto or carbon to help reduce nutrients and water changes.

gryphontyphoon · Jul 31, 2020

Pistondog said:
Your test kit will tell you.
Maybe run some chaeto or carbon to help reduce nutrients and water changes.

Water has been stable so far, but have noticed that all four of them are pretty messy eaters. I was just about to start a refugium with chaeto.

Pistondog · Jul 31, 2020

gryphontyphoon said:
Water has been stable so far, but have noticed that all four of them are pretty messy eaters. I was just about to start a refugium with chaeto.

Get a good $50 pink horticulture led light and mount it low for best par. Don't worry if the chaeto gets dirty with gha or other, you just want the fuge light to out compete the dt light so the macro and algae is happier in the fuge.

Pistondog · Jul 31, 2020

Pistondog said:
Get a good $50 pink horticulture led light and mount it low for best par. Don't worry if the chaeto gets dirty with gha or other, you just want the fuge light to out compete the dt light so the macro and algae is happier in the fuge.

Get some pods and rock for the fuge, you only need about 4 inches on top for the chaeto, maybe less.

gryphontyphoon · Jul 31, 2020

Pistondog said:
Get some pods and rock for the fuge, you only need about 4 inches on top for the chaeto, maybe less.

For the rock is it 1 big piece or more like rubble?

Pistondog · Jul 31, 2020

gryphontyphoon said:
For the rock is it 1 big piece or more like rubble?

Whatever you have left after your aquascape.
Or get scraps, 2, 3 4 inches, from lfs, if there is such thing.
FYI, there are people in florida who sell dry mined rock of old coral, and some who have sea plots of rock they farm for our aquariums.
I've used both with good luck.
Both were cheaper, shipped than live rock from lfs.
You have to soak/cure the dry mined stuff for some time.