Finally ordered my tank!

[MrsFish]

I was going to set my tank up 7 months ago ... but we put our house on the market and I didn't want to move it. However, we've decided to stay .. so the first thing I did was go to the store!!

So, next wednesday, my tank is being delivered and set-up. I asked them to help me set it up, because I've never had one this large ... and never used a sump.

Would love opinions, ideas, etc .. esp. on the fish (see bottom)

Cabinet is solid oak, really nice (v. expensive, but looks fabulous)

I used to have a reef tank 3 years ago, but sold it to move from west to east coast .. couldn't wait to get back in - but properly, not hanging stuff off a regular tank!

It is a 5ft, flat front 110 gallon. drilled with 2 overflow thingys. I added a 20 instead of the 10 gallon sump, so I can perform larger water changes from below without dropping the tank level. UV sterilizer will be mounted on rear of cabinet underneath. Good quality protein skimmer, 350w heater will be in sump. 48 inch 250mh jalli metal halide until - which I hope is bright enough to allow soft and some higher up hard corals .. opinions please!? Can I have clams this time.

I'm not going to have a refugium, and will be putting live rock in the sump total of about 100 lb in tank and sump included.

I will also have 3 night lights fitted by the store.

I want to do the twin peaks setup with corals and just a few fish ... worked on my fish list last night ..

4 x long fin banner fish, 2 flame angels (but unsure if they will be too aggressive), 2 yellow tang, 2 peppermint shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp and a pair of ocellaris clowns.

The rock is already prepared and has been conditioning for weeks .. planning to put rock in once tank and sank is stablized after 48 hours. Will probably put in a first set of fish .. which ones? Thought I'd get the banner fish first or yellow tangs.

Should I add cleanup crew?

Anyway .. very excited ... would love to hear from anyone with an opinion .. and also ideas on small shoaling lower/mid level fish to compliment those I thought I might get.

Mrs Fish

 

[Anonymous]

Congrats on the new tank.

I am not familure with the MH fixture you have listed, but a 250 watt mh is good for a 24x24 foot print and for tanks about 24" deep unless you are going to be running 20kk bulbs. You should be able to keep all but a few select corals anywhere in your tank. Yes with that lighting you can have clams.

Not sure on the banner fish, 2 flame angles may fight. I had on that was a coral nipper. The 2 yellow tangs may or may not fight I would suggest getting one and some other tang like a kole or chevron. The shrimp and clowns should be fine.

You will need a clean up crew. I prefer a mix of snails and no crab. I like to use mexican turbos, astrea, cerith, nassarius, and bumble bee.

For a schooling fish chromis are not expensive. Anathis are nice, but a bit more.

 

[Meloco14]

I agree with Wazz. If it is a dual 250 watt halide fixture you should be fine. Just keep your SPS corals and maxima and crocea clams midway up the rocks or higher. I have no experience with banner fish, hopefully someone else will chime in. I wouldnt get 2 flame angels, they will most likely fight. Be careful even if you only get one flame angel, as they are known to nip at clam mantles. The general rule is you should not have 2 tangs of the same genus. They tend to fight. For your first fish, I would definitely avoid the bannerfish and tangs. They need to be added to a more established tank. Something like tank raised clowns are a perfect first fish. For schooling fish see what Wazzel wrote. Though you should be aware that in small reef tanks fish tend not to school. Other suggestions would be a small group of cardinals, or a harem of flasher or fairy wrasse. Congrats on the new tank and keep us updated on your progress.

 

[bleedingthought]

Anathis are nice, but a bit more.

I keep hearing about this anathis. Are they pretty much like anthias? :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Anathis are nice, but a bit more.

I keep hearing about this anathis. Are they pretty much like anthias? :wink:

Where is that spell checker???