Work sucks today..so I've been looking at fish porn

[naesco]

Originally Posted by christyf5

With that title I suppose this should be in the lounge. But its reef related I promise!

So I'm working on the second slowest tank upgrade next to Tonys. I bought a 180 last December and its sitting in my basement awaiting furnace duct(s) relocation, a new subpanel/electrical upgrade to 200amps and a 6 foot hole being put into a load bearing wall. My contractor (aka the husband) is not moving quickly to rectify these issues

Hence the fish porn, as I'm neither electrically nor ductly inclined..and well a hole in a load bearing wall? That would likely go badly. But I can surf the internet like nobodys business!


So, I'm going to add about 75g of water to the system for a sump, I'm hoping to find a 120 gallon sump so that it can be slightly more but its likely that I'll use my current 90 gallon tank (anyone got any brilliant ideas for plugging a hole in a bulkhead?) unless I get a super sweet deal on a 120 or someone wants to buy my 90 (why is it so hard to sell tanks on the island? small audience I guess). Of course I could also decide to go with one of those rubbermaid horse trough dealies. Anyway, I digress. So that would bring me up to say 250-280 gallons depending on how much fun I want to have with waterchanges. While I'm still restricted by that 6'x2'x2', I'll have more water to deal with various overloading issues.

Anyhoo, back to the fish. I've been looking at fish on the interwebz and making a list of all the coolest ones I might be able to have in my tank. Thing is, I've had a 90gal for like forever and if I move up to a 180, how many fish is too many?

Currently I have:
6" regal tang
4" scopas tang
5" tailspot wrasse
3" candy hogfish
3" royal gramma
4" midas blenny
4" powder blue tang

Yes, I know I have too many tangs in there, all are healthy and no aggression and well, I had hoped to get my rear and gear for this upgrade but well, with the piano tied to it and all...well, you know how it is.

ok so on to the fish list.

Heres what I'm thinking about adding (yes I know, theres probly too many tangs on this list and some "touchy" fish). While I'm apt to likely not have them in the tank, I'm putting them on the list anyway, because in my mind I am a great fishkeeper but when I'm at the store, I waffle back and forth about getting it leery of said fish because of its eating habits my tank is so happy already what if that one fish tips the scales? or of every 500 that get bought 2 survive etc etc.

Ugh, I really am bored today aren't I? I wonder if I can stretch writing this post out to 4pm

sunrise dottyback
3-4 chalk basslets
tomini tang
copperband butterfly
peppermint basslet or peppermint hogfish
powder brown tang
bristletooth tang
bellus/watanabe angelfish

Ok now I'm gonna go look at coral porn! I've got 20 minutes left

*disclaimer: I'm normally quite an avid worker and not apt to surf the net all day at my job, however under extenuating circumstances I've been pretty much forced into it today

The powder brown A. japonica (the one with orange on it as it is often mislabeled) for the tang.
Consider a kole if you can live with keeping one end glass dirty as it is a film feeder.
IMO, your tank will be too active for the angels.
Nix to the copperband as they are difficult to keep and your tank is too active.

Add the 2 tangs in the dark, keep the lights out for a day and avoid approaching the tank.
Good Luck (I see you have it with the powder blue)

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

"sunrise dottyback
3-4 chalk basslets
tomini tang
copperband butterfly
peppermint basslet or peppermint hogfish
powder brown tang
bristletooth tang
bellus/watanabe angelfish"

Let's see. IMO, the Tomini or a Bristletooth would be fine, but the Powder Brown will probably fight to the death with your Powder Blue (my PBlue won't let anything in the tank that looks anything like it, even if the new fish is twice its size).

I really like the Bellus (especially female) and they are available occasionally, whereas Watanabes are rarely ever for sale.

Unless I get a Copperband from someone's tank, I think this is one species I'll try to stay away from.

Aren't Dottybacks supposed to be terrors in a tank for their size (other than the Orchid dottyback)?

Never had Chalk bass so no opinion on these.

In a 6' 180g, you should be able to keep quite a few more fish than in the 90g, so if chosen with care, you can shop for a few nice fish to add to your collection.

Anthony

[christyf5]

Thanks Wayne! I've always loved the koles but after an experience with a rather spastic one (most active nutjob fish I've ever seen) I sort of shyed away from them, perhaps its time to give it another try


Anthony, thanks for the info on the powder brown. For the most part the regal has been the aggressor as he's twice the size of the PBT and has the attitude to prove it. There was some aggression after I moved the tank to its new location (new house) but I think that was due to lack of food as I was away for a couple of weeks and I think my husband was only feeding them flake. Once I returned and started pumping mysis and other frozen goodies into them, the tank has returned to normal and everyone is hunky dory once again. I guess I'll have to rethink the powder brown.

Yeah every time I'm at the store I totally lust for a copperband. But you're right, likely getting one from someones tank would increase my success 100%. However, thats pretty unlikely around here so I'll continue to lust after one at the store

Not sure about the sunrise, I had heard it was one of the smaller dottybacks and wasn't so aggressive. Guess I'll have to do some more research into that one as well.

Anyone have any other suggestions I might be interested in? This "bigger fish" thing is new for me as I previously kept only small ones due to space

[Leah]

How about an angel, I have a potter's and chrysuru's juv both very beautiful.
Also Harlequin tusks are gorgeous not sure how the behave though.
I have a square spot anthia, they are gorgeous too and larger!!!
This is fun, huh! I think this is the best part trying to decide and imagine in your tank.

[christyf5]

Yeah, naesco mentioned my tank is probly too active for angels but I'd love to try one of the pygmy ones as long as they aren't clam nippers or SPS eaters. I love the little lemonpeel ones

Harlequin tusks are neat looking but their teeth scare me

Sadly I have a crap track record with anthias so I'll just lust after them from afar.

Yeah this is pretty awesome looking at all the fish I can possibly have!

[muck]

Dez had a sunrise dotty a number of years back before he went on hiatus. Now that he is back and active on the board maybe he will chime in.
FWIW I always thought it was a stunner in his reef tank.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Lemonpeels are a crap shoot but Cherub angels are beautiful dwarf-dwarf that I've found over the years to be great reef residents. They are a beautiful blue with yellow face. J&L just got in a few. Stay very small and lots of personality. Like a little dog that thinks its a big dog (aquatic version).

Anthony