Need new help, wife nixes initial plan

[player676]

I posted this in my local forum, but it didnt get much traction there. Hope I can get some good help here.


After showing my wife my fish ideas and showing her some options, she decided that we should have a reef tank. She thinks the smaller fish are "cuter". Since she shares in the tank work I think I am going to give in...kind of.

For those of you who didnt follow my original questions, and I apologize to those of you who helped me out. I hope you dont think it was a waste. I still may get my wish with a second tank. The tank in question is 180g. It will have about 300-350 lbs of live and base rock. I am not at the coral research stage, although I understand thats how I reef works For now I am just focusing on the fish. Basically because thats where my wife wants to focus for now. She isn't the best multi-tasker

So here is where I need help. She wants small fish, I like the bigger ones. I know nothing about gobies, blennies, etc. No idea if there are good or bad beginner ones. My initial focus was having 4-6 big fish and just having a FOWLR. My initial reefsafe list looks like this. Any advice on additions, subtractions or replacements would be appreciated. Please keep in mind that I want to have inverts, especially cleaner shrimp. After seeing some of the tank pictures here, they seem so cool:

Purple Tang
Kole Tang
Foxface Lo
Yellow Stripe Maroon Clown
4-5 Chromis (for school purposes, can you mix colors?)

I think gobies, blennies and wrasses are cool but that could be one place where I get some help. I also know angels are hit or miss, but a flame angel is something I've always liked.

Thanks in advance everyone. People here have been so cool it makes me grateful I live in this area.

Mike

 

[melosu58]

Dont worry Mike. Let your Wife get involved and ya`ll make this a family thing. It will take about a month to cycle and you`ll have plenty of time to research and put together a stocking list. You`ll be able to have shrimp. Some gobies will be good for your sand cleaning. I`ll let you in on the type I have as the time goes on. I`m looking forward to seeing this tank. Here is an article on cycling.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/article_view.php?faq=2&fldAuto=15

 

[player676]

Thanks, I am one of those people who has to map out and draw everything before I do it. I can't go in to things without a game plan. I have to learn how to do that. That's why I ask livestock questions and equipment questions before I even start. As soon as I sell the last of my freshwater fish, I'll start with the sand, skimmer and live rock and get things going. I'll keep you all updated.

 

[melosu58]

Cant wait

 

[DragonForce]

You have so many different options here, wrasses, tangs, clowns, shrimp/sand sifting/cleaner gobys, dwarf angels, foxface, pseudos, dartfish etc!

Why don't you figure out how many fish you plan on having in your system and you each take turns picking a fish

 

[nicksgirl]

Look at the clown goby and chalk bass. I love mine!

 

[Tomd]

Yes but be advised that clown goby's can nip at SPS if you plan to go that route. I have one in my SPS tank and have not experienced any issues but I have a lot of coral.

 

[player676]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Not sure where I want to go with corals yet. My goal is too pick the fish and inverts first (either reef safe or mostly reef safe) and then figure out what corals I want with them.