fishrule101

Hey i have a quick question about my plans but first thank you FishLore for helping me make my dream of have a SW tank possable. I'm currently have one three striped damsel, a maroon clownfish, and five blue leg crabs.

These are my future plans: A six line wrasse, starfish( thinking about the choclate one but afaird will eat crabs), Royal Gramma, hopefully flame hawkfish( here they cost 62!!), mabye snails, a bubble tip anemone, toadstool coral, two feather dusters, some xenia( not sure what kind) a skunk shrimp, and some mushrooms. Well that you think??

andy65

Is this your 1st SW tank?
I ,myself, would not put a angelfish in,I think they need a bit more swimming room. Plus they may nip at your coral. Its hit or miss with that.
If this tank is your 1st sw then you might want to hold off on the bubble tip anemone,anemones are hard to keep,but I do know that bubble tips are on the easier side of care.

I know someone with SW knowledge will be around shortly.

fishrule101

Yes its my first. I plan on buying the anemone in like a year. I was also thinking about the angel. I think i'll get a six line wrasse.

sirdarksol

I have heard that starfish can be problems for multiple reasons. They can be really harsh on non-moving and slow-moving tankmates (particularly shelled ones). I think they're also pretty susceptible to water quality changes.
I'm not sure, though. I'm not an expert on the matter. I'm sure one of the salt water folks will be around given time. (Part of the reason that I bothered to post this, to "bump" your thread )

Tumbleweed

Not sure about the star fish sorry. No experience with them. As for the angel, I would advise against it. Not enough room for them and they do have a tendency to nip at corals. As for the rest of the list that would probably be ok. just go slow.

fishrule101

Yeah I'm not going to get the angel. They seem to have in there profiles maked as not reef safe. I'm getting the six line wrasse instead. My next fish would be a starfish and one last crab. I'm getting them in about two weeks.

sirdarksol

Did a bit of research, and as long as the tank is mature (generating a large amount of microbial life, algae, etc...), and the water quality is kept very well balanced, a sea star should be okay. They can damage anenomes, and I would be concerned about them damaging any soft coral, but I'm not positive that they will harm the latter.

Coryd55

I would get a small brittle sea star, only one. Your tank is pretty close to stocked already.

Royal grammas are a pita from what I have read. I would skip out on the hawkfish also. They get a little big for a 28 with what you have already but you can squeeze him in. Just keep an eye on your parameters.

Damsels and clownfish are the only thing that the BTA will not sting. It can move around and sting your corals to death.

Shrimp should be fine. YES on snails. Get about 4-6 of each - Nass., cerith, astraea.

Coral list sounds good. Xenia grows really fast so you might have to trim it every once in a while. Just depends on your lighting.

Clownfish will host corals, if you did not know. So a BTA or other anemone is not necessary unless you just really like it. Anthelia is a good host for them. They seem to really like it and is accepted by just about any clownfish.

Personally I would get another maroon clown and just keep the (hopeful) pair and the three stripe damsel. If you do get another clown make sure it is either bigger or smaller than the one you have now. That prevents aggression problems and you are more likely to get a pair that way.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.


EDIT: If you really don't want to take my advice to keep a smaller stock then you CAN do most of the things on your list but you need to pay attention to your water parameters very closely and if you don't already have one i would get a skimmer.

fishrule101

Thanks for the info. I'm not really going to get all the fish on the list. Take out the hawkfish and the gramma. Those are either no were near where I live or expensive. As for the starfish I'll see if my LFS can order some. I don't really want two clownfish. I just want one. Everything else on my list I'm going to get. I plan on upgradeing into a 55.

Coryd55

Oh ok!

Sounds like a good plan then and you can get the choc chip starfish as well.

fishrule101

I'm not getting the choclate chip. I've read they eat your crabs and corals. I'll get the sand sfiting one.

fishrule101

Will 45 be ok to start a 55 gallon tank?? How fast will xenia grow under T-5s??

sgould

Xenia spread like weeds if the water conditions are good. I have to prune mine regularly to keep them from taking over the tank.

Coryd55

What are yo referring to when you say "will 45 be ok"?

If you mean watts, then I would say barely. I would suggest MH. From what I have read they are great. It all depends on what corals you want to have. Xenia can grow under low light.

fishrule101

I mean will 45 lbs of LR be ok in a 55.

sgould

You want 1-1.5 lbs per gallon, so 45 is a little light.

fishrule101

I think for a 40 it'll be good enough to at least do something. I buy some later.

fishrule101

Ok this is my new and going to happen plan. I plan on buying a 40 gallon tank . Just the tank not a kit. How do I transfer all the water,LS,and LR to the 40?? This is my permanent live stock plan a coral angel, six line wrasse, three blue chromis, two skunk shrimp, about 10 more crabs, still thinking about snails and a bubble tip anemone. Now for the corals one toadstool, xenia, four feather dusters (I know not a coral), some mushrooms, leaf plate corals (I think thoses are cool), and a bubble coral.The only thing I will get while I have the 28 tank would be one shrimp and the six line wrasse. As for water movement I have a water pump that pumps about 200-250 gph. I think the pump plus the others I have will be enough. I will add about 5-10 pounds of fully cured rock about every one to two weeks. As for the lighting I'll resend the light I order and order one to fit my new tank. I will get the tank in about two-three months. Well is this a good plan??