Stocking new tank

[Anonymous]

I have a 125 gallon 72x18x22 with no sump, Turboflotor 1000 Multi Hang-on skimmer, 300W heater, and 2 inches pure aragonite oolitic sand (whatever that means).

This week I will get 1 inch live sand on top of that, and a CAP2200F powerhead (600-700gph). Next month 100 lbs. live rock, Icecap 660 ballast with 440W (4x110 48" VHO tubes) lighting. This much I have pretty much decided on (other than the exact quantity of live rock which may be +/- 10 or 20 lbs. depending on aquascaping)

I haven't decided on the exact cleanup crew and macro-algae yet...I'll wait to see the live rock first.

I will probably be ready to stock fish in August, and I want to check compatibility and I am interested in opinions on the order that I should be adding the fish. I am not concerned if my fish munch on my macro-algae as long as they aren't total gluttons. I do want to keep my stocking on the light side, so warn me if this is going to get anywhere near saturation.

1 or 2 cleaner shrimps (probably first)
Flame Angel
Hippo Tang
Mandarinfish (Actually, I'm pretty sure this guy needs to go in last, once my sand bed is mature)
Clarkii Clownfish
Bulb Anemone
Foxface
Banggai Cardinalfish
African Red-knob Starfish

I may add a 5 gallon refugium at some point, but not until the natural life of my son's Goldfish has run it's course; the current occupant of the aquarium I might convert.

 

[Anonymous]

Nobody wants to help? Or does it just not matter?

 

[Miklos]

I would say you are not overstocking but the anemone needs tons of light and good water flow.Also the red know starfish I believe is predatory and may attack lsow fish.Also know that there is a 50/50 chance that the flame angel will nip at corals and/or clams.I would also increase your sand bed by two inches as Shimek explains so you have a successful ls bed.I would say to liven up your sand bed with packages from www.ipsf.com and/or www.inlandaquatics.com.I would also have one pund or more per gallon of tank water to have a successful bio filter.What type of tank circulation do you have.Lastly I would not get a mandarin due to the problems they present,they deplete even the best lsb very fast and there is a poor survival record for them.I would say buy a scooter blenny instead or liven your sand bed very few months for the mandarin and/or culture live foods such as copepods for the the mandarin qhich can be purchased at www.inlandaquatics.com.HTH,
Nick

 

[Anonymous]

Some people here have said that all starfish (or at least the sand-sifting stars) are carnivores on small creatures. Marine Depot claims the Red Knob Starfish is an algae eater. Are they just trying to sell the star?

 

[Miklos]

I hate to say but most likely.I would have to say the only reef safe starfish are the genus of linkia and brittle stars.
Nick

 

[Anonymous]

To be honest, I had a preference for the Blue Starfish (Linckia laevigata). Bob Fenner actually says it is a good marine starfish, however, the Marine Depot lists it as a restricted species and hard to keep. It was this that prompted me towards the other starfish.

It's not restricted on Flying Fish Express though. Do you think this is a better starfish than the Red-Knob?

[ March 27, 2002: Message edited by: Super Cow ]</p>

 

[Len]

Linckia laevigata have poor mortatlity records. These starfish are detrivores, and although you'd think there would be plenty of suitable consumables for it in captive reef aquariums, they never tend to fare well past a couple of months. They ship fine and acclimate relatively well, so perhaps that's why they aren't on some's restricted list. Nonetheless, L.laevigata should be left in the wild.

Most starfish are ominvores. They will consume a considerable mass of algae, but likewise, will eat a lot of infauna. Starfish, in general, are bad ideas if you're interested in promoting a healthy population of zooplankton. The red knob starfish (Protoreaster lincki) falls in this category. (FYI: Marine Depot isn't lying about these guys to serve as a marketing ploy).

FWIW, I think starfish generally make poor candidates for captivity. If you want a prolific, hardy algae-grazing echinoderms, many urchins make better choices. Of course, they'll also strip your coralline.

Your stock list sounds fine, although I'd recommend against a E.quadricolor with your lighting setup. If you insist on having it, feed it small portions every couple of days to sustain it's nutrional reqs.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, I am willing to drop the idea of a starfish. (I'll deal with it if a small one hitchhikes on the live rock or something) I don't want something to compete with the Mandarinfish's food if and when I decide to get him.

I'm not dead-set on the anemone either, but I know there are some anemone's that don't require quite as much light as others. I was hoping to find one of these so I didn't have to go with metal halides and larger ballasts. I'll do some more research into this area.

 

[Len]

M.doorensis (LTAs) is a better choice then E.quadricolor in your situation. That's my recommendation.