New 90g Setup

[bfoleyiii]

Starting a Standard 90g

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The family is in the process of starting up a standard 90g reef (48x18x25).
I was just looking for some imput on the fish we would like (or in case of the mandarin must have), order we should place them in the tank or not place them as the case maybe.

The list:

Mandarin, wife hasnt decided between a spotted or green
Pair of True Perc or Snowflake/Picasso if the want to expand the fish budget
Goby/Shrimp Pair
Wrasse--I love the look of the Mystery Wrasse, but may look at a Fairy or Flasher varient.
I would also like to add some school if there is enough room to support them. I was thinking something from the Anthias family but not sure we are going to be able to support that many fish.

I am debating using a ATS that should help with pods and may allow for a second Mandarin.

Tank is currently being drilled and should be here late this week, so plenty of time to talk with the family about the pros and cons of their choices while we cycle up and start quarantine. And I am sure I will have plenty of other questions as we progress.

Thanks,

Bob

[allan]

Welcome to MAAST bob!

If you get a mandarin, unless you're sure he is eating frozen food, I would wait until you have a sustainable pod population.

Are you putting in a sump?

You need a frag of Bam Bams for your tank

[jrnannery]

You are going to hear it of course..."Wait 6 months for the tank to be established before you even think of a Mandarin." ATS will help, but you still gotta give it just a little time to get established, as well. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, but you know you are going to hear it.

Oh, and...best of luck with the tank. Sounds like fun. Gonna have to do a bigger tank myself, someday. I really dig an Anthias school. Which flavor are you considering? Go with a DSB and get a jawfish. Any of those fish that tunnel/burrow are just cool beans.

[jrnannery]

If you get a mandarin, unless you're sure he is eating frozen food, I would wait until you have a sustainable pod population.

Drat!! Allan beat me to it.

[profntbtr]

the spotted variety are more likely to consume frozen food. just something to keep in mind

[Regric25]

Welcome to MAAST! Your stock list sound like a good one! I agree with Allan about the Mandarin. They are VERY nice to look at just make sure they are accepting frozen foods or wait until population of critters increases. The spotted species of the mandarin dragonet is known to consume frozen foods. I know specifically ORA sells those mandarins frozen food ready. Also are you using a canopy or is it topless? Anthias are known for jumping. They also require frequent small feedings through the day. If you can handle that then you have quite a nice stock list.

[bfoleyiii]

Thanks all.

Mandarin, yep, six months minimum so I prep'd the wife for that wait. I'm up in the air on the ORA mandarins as I have heard that some still wont touch frozen. Thanks for the heads up on the jumping. Wife would prefer a canopy so looks like something to put together during the cycle. The wife had mentioned a bluespot jawfish while we were out and about so it looks like I'll be going for a DSB. Anyone happen to know who has the best price on sand going? I'm thinking I'll check out Phenomenal Aquatics for some dry rock and then grab some live out of a few different places for seeding.

Outside the 6 month plus wait on the Mandarin I was thinking something like this for an introduction order:
goby/shrimp
clowns
blue jaw if we get one
wrasse
mandarin
Anthias

Spacing would be about 4 weeks apart as we would drop one in and setup quarantine for the next and should follow that schedule unless something pops up during quarantine that takes longer.

[alton]

Welcome to MAAST and remember to place all rock on the glass and fill in with substrate. Look at Karins post and buy the substrate that she used for jawfish. No one stocks it but most stores can order it.

[jrnannery]

Great list. That blue-spot jawfish is just plain neat. A fish with character trumps a pretty fish in my book anyday. And the blue-spot is both pretty AND full of character. Bonus!!

On the sand bed, remember: gotta be 6 inches or deeper, or you will likely have problems.