2 questions I need answered

[Mr.Schertz]

I picked up a brand new 65 gallon tank(36x18x24) today. Along with it I bought a aqua clear 110 for filtration. I also bought a couple of bags of the CaribSea african cichlid mix. Its actually a salt and pepper fine gravel? It says sand but its just a little bigger than a grain of sand. Is this safe to use? I am planning to do a fish only tank with some dry rock and macro algae. I wanted to know what my stocking options are?

[Zephyr Aquatics]

Thats a very wide question....are you going for aggressive or community is the 1st question to consider

[Mr.Schertz]

Community

[Zephyr Aquatics]

Blennys, gobies, some of the smaller angels will work, cardinal fish, schooling green chromis, clown fish and maybe even a tang. These are just the tip of the iceberg. Main thing to consider is how big the animal gets and how it handles being in a community setting. Id say build a wishlist and then go thru it and add fish according to their territorial habits and size. Do not focus on overstocking quickly but instead on who will whoop who!

[Mr.Schertz]

I like the idea of a small angel but need suggestions. A school of green chromis would be cool because I heard they like the top of the water column. Now I need some mid water and bottom guys and some guys who like to hide in the rocks. For the macro algae(culerpa) how much light will i need to get it to grow?

[Mike]

Would also say depends are what other tank inhabitants you want to keep. Hawks are very cool, but will eat shrimp. A shrimp goby/ pistol shrimp pair are fun. A flame angel or potters angel would be good. A small kole or bristle tooth tang would help keep the rocks clean.

[alton]

A pair of Flame Angels would nice, sometimes they are available or create a pair yourself with one larger one and one small one

[Mr.Schertz]

When you say pairs do they breed in the aquarium?

[alton]

I have seen mine mate twice, spawn once.