Testing Fishtank Idea PLEASE SHARE OPINION!

[ethanbear111]

Hey so I am creating a new saltwater aquarium. I have been doing a ton of research on what to put, but reading about it is nothing like the real experience. That is why I am here. So what I would like you guys to do is to point out possible problems with my idea. Also, please recommend fish or other saltwater creatures that would work benoficially to my tank. By the way this is just what it is going to be like, I am still looking at different options and have not purchased these fish/tank stuff yet. So lets get right into it!

Dimensions:
The fish tank is the Red Sea reefer 250, 91 gallons.
Tank Length (Inches): 47
Tank Width (Inches): 20
Tank Height (Inches): 21
It will also have an auto feeder attached to the glass which is unavoidable with my schedule.

I plan to put live rock in it and sand too.

Saltwater Fish/Creatures:
2-3 Fire Shrimp
2-3 Blue legged hermit crabs
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Sailfin Tang
1 Yellow eye Tang
1-2 Blue Tang
2+ Black Clownfish
Possibly other types of Clownfish
Assorted Coral
Anemone
Assorted smaller fish

Some pictures I took of of them in stores nearby:

 

[DanTer]

I do not personally own any tangs, but I do believe the sailfin and blue eye need significantly larger tanks, probably about double the 91 gallons.

 

[sbash]

Great start!

3 Fire shrimp may or may not work, I find more than two and they start killing each other...

The hermits you will find you add as needed, and you will likely need more than two or three.

The blenny will work with the other fish, but you really need to keep it fed.

Likewise with the tangs... That said, your tank is way to small for any of the tangs you have listed aside from the Yellow Eye Kole. Also, with a 4 foot tank, you are pretty much limited to koles and yellow tangs; both are likely debatable...

More than two clowns, especially of different varieties probably won't work. If you plan properly and have enough anemones, you might be able to pull it off in a small tank.

For assorted smaller fish, you could probably get away with some lyretail anthias (or other anthias, but if you have to rely on an autofeeder, they may not work). Most gobies would work, there are several types that can co-exist. Wrasses would also be good... yeah, lots of reef safe, non-aggressive options. Just remember to research before you buy and absolutely don't impulse buy anything...

Have fun!

 

[ethanbear111]

Thanks

 

[JoshH]

Dimensions:
The fish tank is the Red Sea reefer 250, 91 gallons.
Tank Length (Inches): 47
Tank Width (Inches): 20
Tank Height (Inches): 21

Also the Red Sea Reefer 250 is a 54 Gallon system (Display volume) and 65 Gallons total. Were you looking at getting the Reefer 350? Which is 74 Gallons of Display volume and a total of 91 Gallons. Knowing the true volume of the system you are looking to purchase is key to choosing the right inhabitants for your new reef

 

[ethanbear111]

Also the Red Sea Reefer 250 is a 54 Gallon system (Display volume) and 65 Gallons total. Were you looking at getting the Reefer 350? Which is 74 Gallons of Display volume and a total of 91 Gallons. Knowing the true volume of the system you are looking to purchase is key to choosing the right inhabitants for your new reef

Yea sorry mistyped

 

[Struggler]

Yeah I would have to rule out the tangs, except for any tang in the Ctenochaetus family. So look up tomini tang, yellow eye, two spot, white tail.

 

[Struggler]

Also, if you don't plan on curing the live rock just go with dry rock and some bacteria in a bottle.

 

[Jesterrace]

As mentioned above only the Yellow Eye (aka Kole Tang) from your list of tangs would work and that should be the only tang in your tank. Also I would stick to just one pair of clowns (and stick with Occ or Percula Varieties as the others tend to be really aggressive). I agree that wrasses would be a great fit for your tank. Melanurus are pretty:

 

[Krzydmnd]

Definitely read up on QT procedures for adding fish, especially if you are buying from Petco (as one of you photos might indicate).

Good luck, sounds like a fun project!

 

[ihavecrabs]

Agreed on all of the tang advice given above as well as the need to QT any inbound fish if you want to keep disease out of your display.

Looks like a fun build! In addition to 1-2 fire shrimp, look into cleaner shrimp as they are very friendly and interesting to watch.

 

[ethanbear111]

I am thinking about getting a Dragon Wrasse as I have seen one at a local fish store. If you guys think those would work then absolutely!

 

[dylana407]

I am thinking about getting a Dragon Wrasse as I have seen one at a local fish store. If you guys think those would work then absolutely!

Check liveaquaria for fish info. But to answer your question, heck no.

 

[Jesterrace]

A Dragon Wrasse would get way too big for your tank. I would spend some time at www.liveaquaria.com looking at minimum tank sizes and max size of the fish to get a good idea. The Dragon Wrasse gets a foot in length and needs a 180 gallon minimum tank to comfortably house it. I would look at the Melanurus listed above or maybe the Red Lined Wrasse, Dusky Wrasse or Grey Headed Wrasse.

 

[ethanbear111]

ahh... Yea I figured it was too good to be true!

 

[ethanbear111]

As mentioned above only the Yellow Eye (aka Kole Tang) from your list of tangs would work and that should be the only tang in your tank. Also I would stick to just one pair of clowns (and stick with Occ or Percula Varieties as the others tend to be really aggressive). I agree that wrasses would be a great fit for your tank. Melanurus are pretty:

Ok so I have done some more research and have agreed to the idea of a Melanurus Wrasse. According to some reef keeping site, they can remove flatworms. Which isn’t great, especially when dealing with the red variety as far as I can tell.