So I'm getting a bigger tank...

[SevTT]

Upgrading from a 29g DT to a 65g DT. The new DT's 36"w x 18"d x 24"h. I'm thinking of doing something interesting with the aquascaping out of DIY rock, mostly open and platformy with some rock mounds on the sand, taking inspiration from this tank. I think I'll be lighting purely with t5-ho lights, though the tank I'm buying comes with a 175-w MH.

I'm planning on going SPS-heavy with some clams and LPS. And some Xenia, cordoned off from most of the rockwork by a sand barrier. I'm also thinking about acquiring some new fish, since I'll have a significantly larger tank. Here's the stocking list I'm thinking:

2x false perc clowns (already in current system.)
1x pink-streaked wrasse (if I can ever find one.)
2x McCosker's Flasher Wrasses
1-2x Green Clown Gobies (once my branching SPS colonies get a little larger...)
1x Flame Angel. (Yes, I'm prepared to fish it out if it starts munching on corals/clams I value.)

...I'd also love to get a copperband butterflyfish, 'cause they look great and provide aptasia control, but I think I could only bring myself to purchase a proven-out specimen from someone else's tank, with the horror stories I've heard about their survival in captivity.

Anyway, can someone give me some input on my fish choices? Any Terrible Pitfalls other than the ones I'm already aware of? Too much fish for the size of the tank?

 

[prattreef]

You'll need a tight fitting lid for the McCoskers. Regarding the Copperband, I'd put in a request with Diamonds of the Reef. They'll QT it and get it all fat and happy and weened onto frozen food for you which IME is the biggest problem.

 

[SevTT]

You'll need a tight fitting lid for the McCoskers. Regarding the Copperband, I'd put in a request with Diamonds of the Reef. They'll QT it and get it all fat and happy and weened onto frozen food for you which IME is the biggest problem.

Yeah, I thought about Diamonds pretty much after I hit post. %) I'm aware of the lid-needs of wrasses, having lost a few six-lines to unexpectedly accessible gaps.

Of all these fish, I've heard that it's probably best to add the flame angel last, but how critical is that, really? I mean, I can't really imagine the flame angel going all aggro on a couple of green clown gobies. I -could- imagine it having a problem with the McCosker's or the CBB.

 

[D1J8Z]

I would not recommend clown gobys for a SPS tank and I am sure you know the possible risks of CBB and Flame angels.

 

[prattreef]

I don't foresee problems with the flame and anything listed other than the possibility of the CBB as noted above. I'd def. add the CBB before the flame to lessen the risk.

 

[SevTT]

I would not recommend clown gobys for a SPS tank and I am sure you know the possible risks of CBB and Flame angels.

Do they really cause much damage to SPS? What other small, interesting fish might you recommend?

Re: the risks of CBBs and Flame angels: yep. I count on the clownfish to keep my anemone safe, and I don't think that'll be a problem with those two psychotic little buggers. I'll just have to watch my clans, acans, and other LPS, and remove either the fish or the coral if one or the other becomes a problem.

...Flame Angels are just so freaking purdy, I'm willing to risk some trouble. And the CBB's worth the trouble if it'll control aptasia. I'm getting tired of wielding the Syringe of Kalk Doom.

 

[jcolon2]

I had a flame angel and he was realtively good. Although, he did kill my orange eye chalice frag; he would nip at it and then knock it off the rockwork. He also had periods where he would chase my two clowns around. For the most part, he was relatively peaceful.