Stocking of tank

[newreefer03]

Thanks to all for their comments on my previous threads. I am starting my first SW reef tank with a 72 gal bowfront tank, emperor power filter, uv sterilizer, prizm skimmer, 2 powerheads, 50lbs of florida live rock, and 70lbs of live sand. My plan is to add more live rock (fiji/tonga) and fish over the next year. I was hoping to get comments/suggestions on the fish I will be adding in terms of numbers and compatibility. I would like to have 2 percula clowns, 1 neon goby, 1 diadema dottyback, 2 banjura cardinalfish, 1-2 blue tailed damsels, 1 blue hippo tang, 1 yellow tang, and 1 purple tang. Any others I should add? Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

That's a lotta fish... are you dead set on having that many?

 

[Anonymous]

How many fish can you have in a tank? Is there a "fish per gallon" recommendation? I heard 1 fish per 6 gallons at the LFS. Is that too many?

 

[Anonymous]

some of those fish get rather large- I would really only consider one of the tangs-if at all- most tangs get large and are of the grazing variety- meaning they need lots of room to swim(watch out for the tang police 8) ). The purple will most likely be the most aggressive(there are exceptions to evey rule mind you) and the Hippo the most fragile of the three you picked. The Damsels, well, they're cheap of course and brightly colored but some can get decently large and with their size, comes a proportionate amount of territorial aggression. And they lose most of the color as they mature. I used to run a Salt only LFS and we had a display tank that had a 7 year old blue devil damsel(approx 5 inches) that would beat a clown trigger of equal size into submission quite regularly. These are only my opinions mind you, the decision is ultimately yours to make however.

 

[Anonymous]

How many fish can you have in a tank? Is there a "fish per gallon" recommendation? I heard 1 fish per 6 gallons at the LFS. Is that too many?

Nothing gets people fired up more than stocking levels. Everyone has their own opinions. There are just so many factors that go into it that I think it is hard to use any 'rules of thumb' stocking guidelines. For instance you need to consider the current size of the fish, their future size and their future needs. Their physical space requirements, where they rank on the aggressiveness scale, special dietary needs, habits, etc.

Best advice I can give you is to do as much research/reading on the subject as possible. Get lots of people's advice (based on their hard earned experiences) and try to arrive at a sensible plan that works for you. Don't just take one or two people's word on something. Use their comments and do more research. The best you can do is learn from other people's mistakes. The worst you can do is kill a bunch of fish trying to re-invent the wheel.

 

[Anonymous]

Is this going to be a fish only setup or a reef? Either way I would say your proposal has inadequate filtration and is grossly over-stocked. Please ask more questions before setting up your tank.

 

[LFS42]

I run a 72 bow reef with 1 scopas tang in it. Becuase of how much I need to feed the tank just to keep her looking good, I would NOT consider adding another tang to such a small tank.

IMO, I would pick either the yellow or the purple and stick with that.
However may I suggest you look at sailfins, they can have just as much color as the others you are looking at.
The Hippo will just get too large for a 4' tank.

If you are planning a FO your other stocking levels will be fine.
If it's a reef, way too many fish. I would narrow it down to 4-5 small fish and 1 bigger fish.

word of caution:
The dottyback may take over the tank if it's an early addition.

 

[newreefer03]

I am not set on the number or types of fish. Those I mentioned were ones that seem to appeal to me. I know in reef tanks you need to stock less but I thought if you had more live rock you would have adequate biofiltration to sustain more fish. But I guess maybe fewer large fish? I may not get the damsels because I know they are very territorial. Instead of the tangs, I may get some dwarf angelfish (maybe a flame angel) although I've read I should only get 1 per tank. I wanted the dottyback as a way to control bristleworms, but I am not set to get it. Any other suggestions or ideas?

 

[LFS42]

In my reef:
72 gal bow
100#LR
1" of sand
1 scopas tang
1 flame angel
1 orchid dottyback
2 clowns
1 brittle star
12 blue leg hermits
11 coral colonies.
I run a sump w/skimmer and bio*cough*balls.
I'm happy with that stocking level in my tank.
I personaly think it's over stocked, but "she who must be obeyed" wanted the last clown and dottyback.

Yes, only 1 pigmy angel per tank, unless the are male/female.
(then it's baby time)
(sorry for the outburst)
The important thing is maintenance, keep the water clean, and everything else should fall into place.