Think I can get away with one more fish?

[Toolfan333]

My tank- 60 gallon, 65lb live rock,2 bio wheel 350’s and 3 1000 gph wave makers with 1.5 inch of sand/crushed coral mixed
25% water changed weekly

My stock list
1 lawnmower blenny
1 blue head wrasse
1 firefish
1 bluespot toby
1 Sammara squirrel fish
1 greenspot puffer
1 maroon clown

So, I’ve covered just about every shape and color I was looking for when I set this up except for one. I think I’m at my limits or slightly over what my tank can handle. Am I correct or does anyone think I could add something like a royal gramma or orchid dottyback or maybe even a flame angel without messing up my tank?

 

[Jesterrace]

Is your blueheaded wrasse young? Those things can become real stinkers to new tank mates when established, then again Maroons aren't the greatest either. How long has that config been in the tank?

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Current inhabitant compatibility aside.. what are your nutrient levels with that bioload with just hob power filters? I'm thinking you are pretty close to maxed out with that many fish for your filtration.

 

[Toolfan333]

Is your blueheaded wrasse young? Those things can become real stinkers to new tank mates when established, then again Maroons aren't the greatest either. How long has that config been in the tank?

The blue head is a new addition, about 2 weeks in. The rest have been there at least 2 months. I figured if I’m gonna add one more, it better be soon before the wrasse gets established. The wrasse is about 4”. The tank is technically about 10 weeks old, but the rock and substrate came from a a tear down of a reef tank that was several years old. Got some cool hitchhikers, lol

Current inhabitant compatibility aside.. what are your nutrient levels with that bioload with just hob power filters? I'm thinking you are pretty close to maxed out with that many fish for your filtration.

I only check ammonia n nitrite, but those are 0. The eyeball test says nutrients are low, very little algae if any. I thought I was probably maxed out, I do have a sea clone skimmer, I’m just hesitant to use it(it was given to me)

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Once established, your live rock should always keep ammonia and nitrite at 0. You got some pretty old rock from another system, should be good to go on biofilter. If you are maintaining no algae in the display with only water changes, then maybe you can handle one more fish. That is if your other fish play nice and everyone has a spot where they can go to get away from everyone. The skimmer will help you out a lot on nutrient export...

 

[Toolfan333]

Once established, your live rock should always keep ammonia and nitrite at 0. You got some pretty old rock from another system, should be good to go on biofilter. If you are maintaining no algae in the display with only water changes, then maybe you can handle one more fish. That is if your other fish play nice and everyone has a spot where they can go to get away from everyone. The skimmer will help you out a lot on nutrient export...

Ya I was more concerned about compatibility than bioload. Everybody is currently playing nice, so I think I’m going to leave things as they are until I can upgrade to a larger tank. I’ve never used a skimmer, are they complicated or is there any draw backs to using one? I also have an extra canister filter, but it seems like it would be kinda pointless since I have the hob’s for mechanical filtration.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Ya I was more concerned about compatibility than bioload. Everybody is currently playing nice, so I think I’m going to leave things as they are until I can upgrade to a larger tank. I’ve never used a skimmer, are they complicated or is there any draw backs to using one? I also have an extra canister filter, but it seems like it would be kinda pointless since I have the hob’s for mechanical filtration.

Drawbacks to an in sump skimmer, not really any. Drawbacks to a HOB skimmer, possible overflow and getting the floor wet, lowering the tank level causing excess ATO run time and lowering salinity. As long as you keep an eye on it and get it adjusted properly, you shouldn't have a problem. They remove fish waste and proteins before they can turn into nitrates and phosphates that feed algae. They help improve water quality.

In some cases over skimming can keep the water too clean, but this would be like using a huge skimmer on a very light bioload tank... you won't have that problem.

 

[Toolfan333]

Drawbacks to an in sump skimmer, not really any. Drawbacks to a HOB skimmer, possible overflow and getting the floor wet, lowering the tank level causing excess ATO run time and lowering salinity. As long as you keep an eye on it and get it adjusted properly, you shouldn't have a problem. They remove fish waste and proteins before they can turn into nitrates and phosphates that feed algae. They help improve water quality.

In some cases over skimming can keep the water too clean, but this would be like using a huge skimmer on a very light bioload tank... you won't have that problem.

Thanks for the info, I think I’m gonna pass on the skimmer. We have hardwood floors and a leak would not be good. I had my lsf test my water today ,they tested ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and one other thing I can’t remember and all was zero. I posed the same question about adding one more and they suggested a yellow eye tang, what do you think?

 

[SashimiTurtle]

HOW? 0ppm nitrates with just hob filters... I mean, congratulations that's an awesome achievement.

A yellow eye kole tang would be able to hold his own, but aren't aggressive like the larger tangs are. They get 5-6" in length and are herbivores, so you'd need to supplement with nori several times a week for it to stay healthy. They are very good at pecking algae off rocks, and do this all day long.

 

[Toolfan333]

HOW? 0ppm nitrates with just hob filters... I mean, congratulations that's an awesome achievement.

A yellow eye kole tang would be able to hold his own, but aren't aggressive like the larger tangs are. They get 5-6" in length and are herbivores, so you'd need to supplement with nori several times a week for it to stay healthy. They are very good at pecking algae off rocks, and do this all day long.

Lol, I was surprised by the 0ppm too. Figured the test might not be spot on (api) but at least the nitrates are very low if not 0. I do have quite a bit of dragons breath macro. The yellow eye would look nice, I always thought my tank wasn’t big enough for a tang. Thx for all the info!

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Ahh, macro... that explains everything. That tang will wipe out your macro in a day or two. Might not be the best option if you are fond of it, and your low nitrates.

 

[Toolfan333]

Ahh, macro... that explains everything. That tang will wipe out your macro in a day or two. Might not be the best option if you are fond of it, and your low nitrates.

Maybe I’ll pass on the Tang, I really like the macros and plan on some other types. Not having an algae problem is nice too.

 

[Jesterrace]

Lol, I was surprised by the 0ppm too. Figured the test might not be spot on (api) but at least the nitrates are very low if not 0. I do have quite a bit of dragons breath macro. The yellow eye would look nice, I always thought my tank wasn’t big enough for a tang. Thx for all the info!

API is horribly inaccurate. Red Sea and others would be a better measure of where your water is at.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

API is horribly inaccurate. Red Sea and others would be a better measure of where your water is at.

I use API only to get a judge on the range my nitrates are in. I don't use it as an absolute this is exactly where my nitrates are gauge. The scale goes 0-5-10-20... those are pretty big gaps. The Red Sea is a really fine test, and the method for testing anything over 4ppm requires mixing in RODI with your tank water, another step for error in an already long test procedure. When I test my tank with the Red Sea, on the low range it's super purple, way past the 4ppm color. On the high range it's clear, which suggests <4ppm. API always shows close to the 5ppm color. So I just say my tank has 5ppm nitrates. For a quick Nitrate check, yes I use API. I use Hanna or Red Sea to test everything else. For a FOWLR tank, only using API kits is perfectly fine.