75 gal stocking ideas

[Bluside]

Hi there!

I'm pretty new to the marine hobby but my boyfriend and I have been running a 29gal for ~3 months now with success so far (hopefully I didn't just jynx myself) but we've recently been given a 75gal hex tank (not the most ideal, but free is free). We plan on taking it much slower with this one, and really planning everything out equipment and livestock wise. Although I know it's a long ways off before we start to add fish, I wanted to start collecting some ideas from all of you, because at the moment we don't even know what we want much less what we can have lol.

We do know that our Blue Spotted Jawfish will be moving into the 75, so we're going to have quite a lot of live sand (2-8") and pretty much just the minimum of live rock, since this is what Jawfish seem to prefer. We also want to maintain a mellow tank with limited aggression or competition, and because it is a hex (I'm afraid I don't have the dimensions yet) some larger fish will be out of the picture because of the limited swimming room.

We were planning getting an anemone and pair of Clownfish. I had some questions here though...
- About how long until the anemone settles down rather than continues to move around the tank?
- Which anemones would you recommend? We don't want a gargantuan one. - I've been told some types of clowns are more docile than others?
- I've heard mixed reviews about getting Clownfish to pair to anemones, is it as difficult as it sounds?

I'm a little bit worried about the anemone because I read a thread once about someone's Jawfish who burrowed right next to an anemone, and as it grew the tentacles extended and eventually stung the Jawfish and killed it. I'm figuring, when I get to the point, the anemone should go in first so it can settle into a spot and then introduce the Jawfish, that way hopefully they'll avoid each others regions.

Other than that, we're not sure. I was thinking perhaps a Wrasse of some kind? The Six Line Wrasse seems to be aggressive though. I was also interested in some Urchins, but I don't really see lots of forum posts about them, anywhere. Are they difficult to keep?

Also if you have any advice on equipment for the new tank, that'd be much appreciated. I've been reading up on everything I can find on the internet (albeit mainly livestock...it's more fun!) but everyone always has something different to say that it feels like my brain is sort of swimming. I'll keep of sifting tirelessly through information, but in the meantime though I'd get some actual input here ;D

Thanks for any help!

[Reefing Madness]

Hi there!

I'm pretty new to the marine hobby but my boyfriend and I have been running a 29gal for ~3 months now with success so far (hopefully I didn't just jynx myself) but we've recently been given a 75gal hex tank (not the most ideal, but free is free). We plan on taking it much slower with this one, and really planning everything out equipment and livestock wise. Although I know it's a long ways off before we start to add fish, I wanted to start collecting some ideas from all of you, because at the moment we don't even know what we want much less what we can have lol.
Pygmy Angels. And then a mess of other choices. I don't like to throw out a bunch of fish, because it should be what you actually like in what you see, not someone elses picks. So here you go, pick away.
www.salwtaterfish.com
Saltwater Fish: Marine Aquarium Fish for Saltwater Aquariums

We do know that our Blue Spotted Jawfish will be moving into the 75, so we're going to have quite a lot of live sand (2-8") and pretty much just the minimum of live rock, since this is what Jawfish seem to prefer. We also want to maintain a mellow tank with limited aggression or competition, and because it is a hex (I'm afraid I don't have the dimensions yet) some larger fish will be out of the picture because of the limited swimming room.
Sound reasoning.

We were planning getting an anemone and pair of Clownfish. I had some questions here though...
- About how long until the anemone settles down rather than continues to move around the tank?
Good question. No one can answer that one. It will settle down when it likes the spot its in. Depending on which you get, you can try to get it to sit in the spot you want, sometimes it works.

- Which anemones would you recommend? We don't want a gargantuan one. - I've been told some types of clowns are more docile than others?
Not a big one huh. Hmm. Mini Carpet Anemones don't get very big. But hosting 2 Clowns being small is going to be tough. In a nut shell, Clarki, Tomato, Skunk, Maroons, are pretty much mean as hell. Nemo type Clowns are ok, but can still have an attitude, they like their territory.
Again, your choice here. Condy's need alot of lighting though.

Sea Anemone Species: Sea Anemones, Bulb and Carpet Anemones

- I've heard mixed reviews about getting Clownfish to pair to anemones, is it as difficult as it sounds?
If you don't get a big enough Anemone, they usually beat the crap out of it.

I'm a little bit worried about the anemone because I read a thread once about someone's Jawfish who burrowed right next to an anemone, and as it grew the tentacles extended and eventually stung the Jawfish and killed it. I'm figuring, when I get to the point, the anemone should go in first so it can settle into a spot and then introduce the Jawfish, that way hopefully they'll avoid each others regions.
Good idea.

Other than that, we're not sure. I was thinking perhaps a Wrasse of some kind? The Six Line Wrasse seems to be aggressive though. I was also interested in some Urchins, but I don't really see lots of forum posts about them, anywhere. Are they difficult to keep?

Also if you have any advice on equipment for the new tank, that'd be much appreciated. I've been reading up on everything I can find on the internet (albeit mainly livestock...it's more fun!) but everyone always has something different to say that it feels like my brain is sort of swimming. I'll keep of sifting tirelessly through information, but in the meantime though I'd get some actual input here ;D
Good skimmer. A minimum of 750 gph of water flow. 75lbs of Live Rock, as this is your water filtration system. Octopus is a good skimmer. SWC cone skimmers also. And you'll need strong lighting for to keep Corals and Anemone. LED are the most efficient. Halides produce the best lighting after that, shimmer included for both. T-5HO next. Recommend around 400watts for your Reef or close to it. 2- 175 Halides. T-5 6 lamp unit. or possibly the Reef LED unit.
Reef Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System

Thanks for any help!

[chrisfont23]

Hi there!

I'm pretty new to the marine hobby but my boyfriend and I have been running a 29gal for ~3 months now with success so far (hopefully I didn't just jynx myself) but we've recently been given a 75gal hex tank (not the most ideal, but free is free). We plan on taking it much slower with this one, and really planning everything out equipment and livestock wise. Although I know it's a long ways off before we start to add fish, I wanted to start collecting some ideas from all of you, because at the moment we don't even know what we want much less what we can have lol.

So cool. I am upgrading a 29G to a 90 or 125 - haven't decided yet. I am aiming for a full cutover - fish and corals by Spring 2012 FWIW. So taking it slow is definitely recommended.

We were planning getting an anemone and pair of Clownfish. I had some questions here though...
- About how long until the anemone settles down rather than continues to move around the tank?
- Which anemones would you recommend? We don't want a gargantuan one. - I've been told some types of clowns are more docile than others?
- I've heard mixed reviews about getting Clownfish to pair to anemones, is it as difficult as it sounds?

I'm a little bit worried about the anemone because I read a thread once about someone's Jawfish who burrowed right next to an anemone, and as it grew the tentacles extended and eventually stung the Jawfish and killed it. I'm figuring, when I get to the point, the anemone should go in first so it can settle into a spot and then introduce the Jawfish, that way hopefully they'll avoid each others regions.

I would wait on the anenome. I would recommend at min, 9 months of tank stability and maturity... I plan on adding one to mine, but most likely not until this time next year. I would also point out you can probably get a clownfish to host with a variety of LPS corals too...so don't fret about getting the right type - an anenome might not work where a torch does. Who knows.

Also if you have any advice on equipment for the new tank, that'd be much appreciated. I've been reading up on everything I can find on the internet (albeit mainly livestock...it's more fun!) but everyone always has something different to say that it feels like my brain is sort of swimming. I'll keep of sifting tirelessly through information, but in the meantime though I'd get some actual input here ;D

Check out the Aquamaxx skimmer. It's about $250 and packs a wallop. I would also recommend a pair of Vortech MP40s for the tank. They're incredible little devices. A refugium in the sump will help keep nutrients down. Finally, keeping an auto top off system like a JBJ ATO, is well worth the investment.