bhcaaron

So I've been keeping up on my reading, which now is a bit exciting for me lol. I have come to the conclusion, maybe, kinda, sorta, that I want a Berlin Style system with a plenum (Jaubert Method) for a mini reef. I intend to have additional skimming. Hopefully, I will have two skimmers (I'm thinking maybe venturi), each being able to skim three times the full tank size, even if it takes a while to get the second one.

So If all goes as planned, this will be it:

Berlin Method & Jaubert Method in conjunction
Two Skimmers (what do you think of venturi? are there better?)
180G Tank (still in the dreaming stage)
3 Green Chromis
3 Pajama Cardinals
3 Mandarin Fish
1 Blue Box Fish (male) or Male/Female pair of Whitley's Box fish

I know that in a mini reef, this is overstocking it. Would the additional skimming help this? I would love to have more fish, but, unfortunately this is not possible with a mini reef using the Berlin Method. If need be, I'll reduce it to just the Mandarin and Box fish.

reef freak

Skimmers take out waste, not Ammonia. So if you get a serious ammonia spike from them all, kiss your tank goodbye.

Box fish are dangerous (Poisoness if stressed or dead), grow big, and grow fast. I would never keep one.
Hold off on the madarins, only get one, and if you get one, wait a couple months and have a good fuge. I think all Damsels are mean, even chromises (Pretty much the same thing)

How big is the tank?

After I know how big it is, I'll give you a good list.

bhcaaron

It would have been the 145G. I'll have to save up to get my dream 180G next year. (I won't budge on the three Mandarin- 1male, 2 female and I'm not sure I want to budge on the Green Chromis either, especially after seing them at my LFS)

chris2

145g tank? So many possibilties, such tiny fish. I love my mandarin, but I wouldn't get another one. He is the true standout of the tank. Any boxfish when stressed can wipe a tank completely. Green chromis are cute when they school, but like any damsels, will become monsters. That's a list I would give the nomination of "Bad boy aquarium" to. I'll give my dream list for that size tank after I make some notes. Actually, thank you BH, you gave me a great idea for a post.

bhcaaron

LoL, please do pm me a link to your post when you've gotten it ready.

So... Chromis are bad boys, hmm? What do they do?

And why would I not want to keep the three Mandarin. As far as I've read, its safe to keep a male with two females.

As for the Box... well, I guess I couldn't keep it with the Chromis then.

chris2

Boxfish are slow, peaceful movers who like and entire tank regardless of size. Green chromis are o.k. but very territorial, and will chase anything that annoys their space, including their own breed, and especiallly "at night" (when I say that I mean when I have my moonlight bulb on". If you do go with them, I would make them the last addition after the mandarins. Mandarins are a solitary breed, except for when mating. I would keep two if you're considering a breeding pair only. For such beautiful fish, why even take the chance? I love my mandarin, but he has become such a picky eater. He was getting thin for a while, even when I switched to feeding mysis shrimp for the tank, regardless of what I've read on sites. He only seems happy with live food. Just something to remember. Otherwise, there's nothing "wrong" with the fish you would keep. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's just not a combination I would keep. No big.