First post and looking for some help! :)

[MCKP]

I posted this on another forum but got no help at all.

By the way, My name is Summer and I live by Spokane, WA and was super excited when I saw a reef site that actually had somewhat local people!! I hope to get lots of information here and hope you don't mind if I bug you to death with questions... hehe

Okay, here goes:

I do not have a saltwater tank yet but I am looking for stocking help... and I am sure it seems like I am doing things backwards but it is just the way I do things.... I pick out the fish I like, than see what can go together, and work around their conditions for my tank(including coral, substrate, rock and other items).....
It is going to be next year before I can get this tank going but I am a very big planner and am hoping to get a 150(or larger) for the saltwater ....

Anyway, here is the list of fish that I like.... but I need to know which ones are compatible and which ones wouldn't be.... and why.

The clownfish, and the blue tang are the main ones I want to work around....

Thanks SO much for any help!!

Bicolor Pseudochromis
Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Heniochus Black & White Butterflyfish
Ocellaris Clownfish
Banded Coral Shrimp
Spiny Star Astraea
Humbug Damselfish
Marble Seastar
Mandarin Dragonet

[charlie]

Hey Summer:



I am going to move your post into Lee's fish forum as he is our fish expert, and would probably be able to help help you a little more on that subject. On a side note, have you spoken with either the folks at Aquatic Dreams or Aquarium Solutions? Both are excellent stores real near where you are?

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

The most exciting part of starting a marine aquarium is deciding what you want to stock in it. But before you get to that point, you need to have a general concept of the hobby -- the things you'll need to decide before putting in that stock. For this information, I'd like you to read this post: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

Next, you'll want to have a sense of just how much 'fish' can be put into any given space and why some fishes require more space, even if they are of low body mass. So I suggest you read this: Fish Stocking Limit - for FO and FOWLR

Now we can take a better perspective of your list. . .Because you've chosen Tangs, which require 6 feet in length, the smallest aquarium for this grouping is a 125 gallon aquarium (that is 6 feet long). I would suggest and prefer a 180g however. If that isn't your intent, then replace the two Tangs with a Dwarf Angelfish and another fish that might suit your fancy.

Choice of fishes is very personal so I don't give recommendations. Just study the fish you're interested in, determine its needs, decide whether you are willing to provide those needs, and if it's a fit, then its a good choice.

For instance, on your list is a Mandarin. Though they are beautiful, very few live more than a year in captivity. About 15% that are caught are alive in one year from their captive date. Why? Because of their special needs. For instance, you should read this post to get an understanding of their needs and how to fulfill them: http://www.reefland.com/forum/marine...tml#post186916

Now I can't help you much with invertebrates, but starfish are nice and beautiful but quite frankly we can't keep them alive long in an aquarium. Some exceptions do exist, such as the carnivore Chocolate Chip Star. Some starfish that are available at your store -- we don't even know what they eat! But others can help you here. They do require proper space and that would take you back to the 180 or 240 gallon size.

I do know that the Banded Coral Shrimp is a nice invertebrate -- for the first few months, then most of them turn belligerent and often attack fish and other tankmates.

We are a good place to get your questions answered. Check out this Forum for stickies and the different fish and marine aquarium topics covered in those posts: Table/Contents - Link List

I must say you are doing about the smartest thing of all -- you're asking before you get into the hobby. Plan, plan, plan and then plan some more. Go slowly and be patient for the best results.

[charlie]

I must say you are doing about the smartest thing of all -- you're asking before you get into the hobby. Plan, plan, plan and then plan some more. Go slowly and be patient for the best results.

Quite the breath of fresh air, isn't it.;);)

[MCKP]

Thanks for all the help!!! I am definitely in no hurry and really want to do this right.... I was planning for a 150 gallon but it sounds like a 180 would be better... not sure I have the room for the 240...
We are going to be doing some remodeling to our house to fit in this tank, so I will have to look into dimensions and see what will work best in our space.
Does anyone have any good suggestions on where to buy tanks? We bought our 75 off craigslist but haven't seem much above that size.

Charlie, I have been to Aquarium Solutions.... awesome place and probably where I will get alot of my stuff. Never been to Aquatic Dreams, didn't even know about it.. I will have to go investigate it.

[charlie]

You have to check out Kevin's Aquatic Dreams!!!!! I think both of those shops sell tanks, but I am not gonna make a suggestion either way. Both of those shops are A1 in my eyes.

[MCKP]

Awesome, just talked to my husband and we are going to stop by there on Tuesday when I head to Spokane. We were also talking and think we are going to go for a 240/250 tank... but we are going to have to do a little remodeling to fit it where we want, as well as we would both feel more comfortable adding some bracing to our floor.... so, this is going to be a project a long way out but.... I am still very into learning everything possible.... I have got a good grasp on the fish I like, and have found alot of good sources that say they are pretty compatible....
Now to learn about corals, rocks and other things like that.... I need to figure out what the differences are between the rocks..... do the fish that I have picked prefer a certain type of rock or coral(except the clownfish which I know wants an anenome) but is there a particular kind?? Things like that.... Do certain corals need to be with other certain corals(kind of like fish compatibility) or is it just water conditions and what each prefer.... or is it original location that determines which corals can be added??
I really want to make my tank as close to natural as possible.... There is so much to learn and alot of it gets VERY confusing. I am still trying to figure out what a sump is and what exactly a refugium does and why you need one.

In alot of ways, the freshwater are SO much easier but there is nothing like a saltwater tank...... so I know it will be worth the effort and the time in researching....

I can't wait to go Tuesday now! Thanks so much for mentioning that place...!

[charlie]

Only one problem with Tuesday, he isn't open, and I don't think Barbie is either. Wednesday thru Sunday

[MCKP]

Oh, just saw that.... well, guess I will go Wednesday! LOL