Recommended clean up crew

[PrettyFishies]

Now can we talk about cleaners?

I think I've decided on the following livestock:

1 Regal Tang
2 Clownfish Ocellaris
1 Yellow Tang
1 Long-nosed Hawkfish
1 Flame Angelfish
1 Scooter Blenny
1 Jawfish
1 Royal Gramma

Do you see potential problems if I add some cleaners for detritus removal?

Split into a new topic. - anemoneman

 

[cmor1701d]

Did you decide on going with a dsb?

I just got a small cleanup crew from justphish.com. I was impressed with the packing and instructions and all the specimens included. I'll probably place an additional order with them, although I'm also thinking about getting a live sand activator kit from http://www.ipsf.com/index.html first.

How about some comments from you experienced folks.
I've got a 125 with 100 pounds of lr, 50# of base and 5-7" dsb. The tank is now cycled although nitrates are still around 10.

 

[PrettyFishies]

Yes, Southdown to 3.5/4" and I'll get 135lbs of LR for my 90gal tank

My question is compatability with my fish... Would any of those attack the cleaners?

 

[Anemoneman]

The only potential problem I see is the jawfish and possibly the blenny eating up all the copepods and amphipods.
I would only get one tang, especially in a 90. If your tank were 6 or 8 feet long, two would work.
I suggest you only keep 4 or 5 fish in a tank that size. Even with 1 tang you still have 8 fish. It's going to get crowded and you will have stress induced disease problems.

2 Clownfish Ocellaris
1 Yellow Tang
1 Long-nosed Hawkfish
1 Flame Angelfish
1 Scooter Blenny


Maybe these would work.

 

[PrettyFishies]

1 Regal Tang 5"
2 Clownfish Ocellaris 6"
1 Yellow Tang 5"
1 Long-nosed Hawkfish 3"
1 Flame Angelfish 4"
1 Scooter Blenny 3"
1 Royal Gramma 3"

Okay... that's 29 inches of fish...That's <1/3" per Gallon..

I thought general rule of thumb was 1/2" per gallon... which gives me 45"...

Also... Do you really think the Yellow and Regal tangs would not get along? I see so many setups of 75-100 gal that contain both...

I guess I can do without the jawfish...

 

[reefrunner69]

General accepted rule of thumb for stocking capacity is 1" (of adult sized fish) per 5g of water. There are amny variable that effect this "rule", once the tank is mature, I would not have a problem with 1" per 3gallons.

 

[PrettyFishies]

Okay... I figured that with the LR and the DSB...that I would have the bioload capacity to accomodate the tankmates.

Any suggestions on order of introduction? Other than the clownfish...which will be first.

 

[cmor1701d]

I'm going through the same process, trying to figure out what fish I want to end up with in my 125. Here's my thoughts so far.

2x Clarkii Clownfish or Ocellaris Clown 2"
1x royal gramma 3"
1x sixline wrasse 3"
1x Copperbanded Butterflyfish 5"
1x Oriole Angel or Flame Angel 3"
1x Bicolor Blenny 3"
1x Midas Blenny 3"
1x Powder Blue Tang 4"

The usual assortment of snails, pods, and some shrimp too.
Any thing I need to know or be carefull of?

 

[PrettyFishies]

I've READ that Butterflyfish are difficult to acclimate and PowderBlues can be difficult to keep too...

If you ask me... I'd trade the PowderBlue for a Yellow Tang...

Just an opinion

 

[cmor1701d]

Yep, I read that too. I figured they would get added down the road, like 6-8 months from now or more.

 

[Anemoneman]

Okay... I figured that with the LR and the DSB...that I would have the bioload capacity to accomodate the tankmates

Doesn't have anything to do with the biocapacity of your tank. It has to do with available space. Your tank is only 4' long. Tangs are territorial and strong swimmers. Most recommendations come from people who have been there. I've been keeping SW for over 11 yrs. Your fish load sounds heavy to me. It can probably be done and has probably been done. I don't like pushing things to the limit of their capacity. IME the lower the bioload & the fewer the fish, the easier this hobby is. It sounds to me like you are just starting out. If that's the case, I would cut the number of fish you suggest in half and go from there. As you progress in the hobby you more than likely will want to keep corals. They will take up more room. The fish we keep are used to swimming in the vastness of the ocean. Our tanks are pitifully small in comparison. If you cramp them, they will either fight, become diseased or both. I just want you to get off on the right foot. This is good advice: go easy, go slow. Less is more in this hobby.

 

[PrettyFishies]

So, now...back to the topic at hand...

What "critters" are reccomended for cleanup that are compatible with the aforementioned livestock?

 

[Guest]

I have to agree with Mark. I know you don't want to hear this, boy do I ever...However, That many fish in a 90 gal can be way too many inches for the size... Technically you can only have 18 inches in a 90.

Regal Tangs will reach up to 9 inches
Yellow Tangs 6 inches min.
Long Nose Hawk 5 inches
Scooter Blenny up to 5 inches
Most Jawfishes 4 to 6 inches min
Royal Gramma 3 inches

This will lead to 32 inches of Fish. Now, that is if you have a true 90 gal of water. You wont because you are going to have displacement with the rocks and sand...
probably lose 25 gal which brings you to 15 inches of fish for comfort.

I have seen a lot of death due to overstocking too soon also....so be careful...

Back to topic...

I would stay away from anything that stirs the sand too much....

Hermits and snails are good...

I think the rule on this is 5 hermits per gal and 5 snails per gal...

Use your best judgement...

 

[loganj]

5 hermits and 5 snails per gallon? Maybe 1 hermit/snail per 5 gal? I have always heard 1 critter per gallon. I use about that ratio and it seems to work well. I'd start out on the low end and add them as you think you need them.
Logan J

 

[Guest]

Maybe 1 hermit/snail per 5 gal? I have always heard 1 critter per gallon.

My bad,,, what was I thinking...

Yes that is correct...I guess it all depends on who's site you visit and what is recommended...most are 1 per gal...