fish list-first try!!

[dpotts]

Okay, so this is my first try at a fish list for my new 90g. I have NO IDEA how many fish can be put into a 90g so I'm looking for some help here.

1- yellow tang
1-small blue tang ( I know I will have to rehome him once he gets big)
2-PJ cardinals
4- blue reef chromis
1-Royal Gramma
1- firefish

Too many fish? Will they all get along? Who should be added first/last?

[justahobby]

I haven't tried PJ's before, but it sounds like feedings could be an issue such as distracting the rest of the fish to feed your methodic cardinals.

[Texreefer]

Cardinals will be fine. I have almost 30 fish in my reef and some agressive eaters,, cardinals have no problem going after food so i'm not sure why feeding them would be an issue

[RayAllen]

Size of the tank is only a minor concern when it comes to how many fish. Of most importance is the quality of filtration. You want the best skimmer you can afford. This will alow you to keep more fish that are healhy and happy; not to mention a fuge/live rock and other mechanical meens maybe. You also want to look at their potential adult size. I wouldnt buy a fish that I know is going to be 8"+ unless I planned to upgrade later on or rehome, but people do get attached to fish just like dogs ;)

As far as the fish list is concerned I think its good but personally would not go with the bluetang. You could replace it with 3 Anthias and it would make for a striking display of color and contrast and not be overstocked if the filtration is up to par.

[dpotts]

Thanks for the help. I've been fretting over this list for months and am happy that I'm on the right track. I'll be doing 90lbs of live rock and already have a 1200 GPH pump (husband bought it thinking I had a 150g and not a 90g!!) The next thing on my list is a good skimmer...any suggestions?
As for the Blue Tang, I spend many sleepless night thinking about this one. I've come to realize that I will never be happy with my tank unless I at least try and have just one. When the time comes I'll either upgrade to a bigger tank for rehome him. :wub:
I've been doing a little reading on the Blue reef Chromis have read that they do best in groups of 6 or bigger. Any truth to this and could I do 6 with my current fish list?

[RayAllen]

Yes you can do 6 blue Chromis with your current list.

As for the Skimmer what kind of budget do you have. That way we can noarrow it down to what works best with your budget. Im a big fan of Octopus skimmers , great for us budget minded folks but packs a punch.

[justahobby]

Cardinals will be fine. I have almost 30 fish in my reef and some agressive eaters,, cardinals have no problem going after food so i'm not sure why feeding them would be an issue

Slow fish don't compete very well with fast swimming/ eating fish JMO.

[dpotts]

I could do $200-300 for a skimmer with no problem. I have a 2 chamber sump that's under my tank ( just a standard 90g stand) so I need one that would fit under there! I also have 2 returns to the sump with "filter socks" (is that what they are called??) on each. I'm so excited that this is really happening!!! :bigsmile:

[RayAllen]

Id go with the Octopus 150 which is overkill for a 90g, but I had one on my old 215g and loved it. Im using a Oct 110 on my 39g and it pulls gunk out like a beast. Many on the board use octos now.

http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-nw-150-br-needle-wheel-protein-br-skimmer-749.html

[dpotts]

Great, thanks. I'll bookmark that link and ask Santa for it! :bigsmile: