[lightcycler]

My 75 gallon system has been empty for four years. I've learned from my mistakes of years ago and ready to get things rolling again.

I'm setting up a 75gal FOWLR system, with a 3" deep sand bed, 40lbs of base rock and 40 lbs of live rock. Skimmer, Emperor HOB power filter, and under tank sump with pre filter and bioballs.

Have sand bed and base rock in place. Adding live rock next week and start cycling.

After cycling will add cleaner crew.....primarily snails.

My current plans for fish addition after tank is stable are

A pair of Percula....or false Percula CLowns
1 Yellow tang.
1 Coral Beauty Angel

My thought is to indroduce them to the tank in the order listed? Certainly introducing with plenty of time in between for system stabilization.

Thoughts on the system and addition order? I'm thinking later I may even be able to add another fish or two depending on how things come along.

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

I wonder how you came to choose a 3 inch sand bed. It is a bit of a 'no-man's land' in depth. Most are either about an inch or for a deep sand bed, at least 4 and up to 6.

Have you read through this post? Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium You're plan seems a bit rushed.

A Tang in a display tank less than 6 feet in length is something I don't recommend. However, the Yellow Tang is a bit more forgiving on space when it is small/young. You should know two more things about this fish. First, it will dominate the tank very quickly and won't hesitate to think of its tankmates as competitors. Second, when added to any display, it should be the last thing to add. Any fish (and even some non-fish marine life) you add after the Yellow Tang may be considered its enemy. Each fish is different and you may find you have gotten a mellow Yellow but that would be unlikely.

I hope you will be using a quarantine system, such as proposed here: A Fish Quarantine Process

Regarding your display/marine system capacity, you can get some ideas from this: Fish Stocking Limit - for FO and FOWLR

You'll find that this listing of links on different subjects might help, too:
Table/Contents - Link List

Feel free to ask questions on anything you've read or heard. I hope you are a person who will read some or all of the above. There is a lot of experience and information there, in detailed form.

Good luck!

[lightcycler]

Originally Posted by leebca

I wonder how you came to choose a 3 inch sand bed. It is a bit of a 'no-man's land' in depth. Most are either about an inch or for a deep sand bed, at least 4 and up to 6.

The guy I bought the sand from indicated 2" to 4". The way I put it in place with the base rock it is really 4" to 6" in areas where the rock isn't. I'm very early in the process so can make any changes needed. I am including a photo of where I am now in the process.

Have you read through this post? Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium You're plan seems a bit rushed.

I have read it including about 30 of your other posts. I plan on taking things very slow and probably shouldn't have asked the fish question yet since that is going to be awhile.

A Tang in a display tank less than 6 feet in length is something I don't recommend. However, the Yellow Tang is a bit more forgiving on space when it is small/young. You should know two more things about this fish. First, it will dominate the tank very quickly and won't hesitate to think of its tankmates as competitors. Second, when added to any display, it should be the last thing to add. Any fish (and even some non-fish marine life) you add after the Yellow Tang may be considered its enemy. Each fish is different and you may find you have gotten a mellow Yellow but that would be unlikely.

Is there a better tang or maybe I need to just consider something else. I am looking at choosing fish that will allow me to move to a reef tank if I choose to later.

I hope you will be using a quarantine system, such as proposed here: A Fish Quarantine Process

Yes I will. I would hate to pose a question here later and not hvae used a quarantine system. I'm trying to find a used aquarium cheap right now. I won't buy fish until I have that done.

Regarding your display/marine system capacity, you can get some ideas from this: Fish Stocking Limit - for FO and FOWLR

Yes I have read

You'll find that this listing of links on different subjects might help, too:
Table/Contents - Link List

Feel free to ask questions on anything you've read or heard. I hope you are a person who will read some or all of the above. There is a lot of experience and information there, in detailed form.

Good luck!

Even though these are my first posts. I'm sure they won't be the last. Really like this forumn and the knowledge that exists. Thanks for your help

I think this link will work on taking you to a few photos of where I'm at

SaltwaterStart - a photoset on Flickr

[leebca]

Sounds like you have things well in hand.

The fish planning stage is probably the highlight of the FOWLR marine system plan! I don't suggest fishes, since that is a very personal choice. I would say clearly that Tangs, Rabbitfishes, large-mass fishes (e.g., Groupers), and large Angels should not be stocked in that aquarium.

Out of the remaining 24,500 marine fishes, I'm sure you'll find those that interest you. If you haven't anything in mind, then you need to get a book of marine fishes suitable for marine aquariums and thumb through it. If you want to put them into a reef eventually, then get a book of fishes suitable for a reef marine system. Visit LFSs when you can and just look at their fishes. Look up those you think you'd like to have/keep. Not all LFSs are ignorant, but many just don't have 'hobby experience' with fishes and may or may not give good compatibility, sizing, and/or reef-safe advice. However, books and publications are a bit better, and the best is the Internet.