Fresh to salt 29 gal.

I like it. All fish are appropriate for that size tank, and should do well together. I would add the gobies first (separated by a month or two of course), than the blenny (it would be nice if the tank was established so it had some algae to graze on), and obviously clowns last.

 

JMO but do not rule out the Fire Fish. They did not do much for me either at the fish store but my husband liked them. When I was recovering he bought me some live rock and a Fire Fish for a present. I was like Thankkkk Youuuu how nice said with sarcasm. Well after watching it for a few days I really liked having him in my tank as he gives a different look with his top fin. I really like him a lot now. I love when he comes out of his "home" in the rocks. First he peeks out then 1/2 his body comes out then he flies out like a rocket. When he goes to bed he swims towards his home then dives like a rocket into his hole. I have no idea how he does not knock himself out.
In my 29 I have 2 clown, Fire Fish,Royal Gramma,cleaner shrimp. Plenty of fish and movement for the size of tank. Clown fish keep it active.
Good Luck and read and always remember no question is a dumb question. Better to ask then to have failure for thinking it has been asked a million times before.
AND to the poster who said if you can not keep fresh alive do not do salt....well just for the record I can kill a Betta or just about any fresh fish around. Salt I have had good luck with (knocks on wood)!

 

My "LFS" (Hour away, not so "local") has a Yellow Watchman that is over 5" long. and people say they're "nano" fish

Don't let anyone discourage you, but take advise.

My first tank was a 5.5g standard. I wanted a clown pair and a BTA. EVERYONE yelled at me. But I'm using the same sized tank now, and getting a (very small) bta for my sexy shrimp!

With that in mind, your "centerpiece" doesn't have to be a fish!

Also, some advise on setting up the salt!
-Find a local reefer that will give you 20G from an established tank, this way you avoid the algae bloom every noob gets (except for me!). I've done it in 3 different tanks, all of which haven't had a "cycle".
-Use Reef Crystals instead of Instant Ocean, It helps down the long run.

Here's my tank

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/chances-4-gallon-145039.html

 

I agree; I love my Helfichi in my 28; he is always out in the open, right in front of the tank

Even though they can get too be quite long (4-5"), Watchmen Gobies should still be fine in a 28-30 gal size tank, since they are not column swimmers. I would stay away from a Pico tank for sure though!

Still not advisable though in that small of a tank. Less room overall, and if it roams, you will surely have some dead corals. I do like your tank as it sits now though!

Water itself contains very little bacteria. I would not advise of this at all, since all you are getting is someone else's dirty water. Now, if you want to grab a piece of live rock or a scoop of sand from an established tank, that is another story. Every new tank needs to cycle, although some show more signs than other. If it is a new tank, new sand, new rock, you will surely get diatoms. Once those go away, then you get cyano and/or green hair algae. Just part of the process!

I would start with regular I/O. No since in using the more expensive salt unless you really get some corals going. At that point, you can either make the switch or start dosing. I just switched recently to Reef Crystals as I am not quite ready to dose, so water changes with the higher calcium/alk are enough for now. Once water changes are not enough to maintain calc/alk, I will switch back to regular I/O and start dosing.

 

well its been 2yrs of keeping mixed reef, and iv never bought any supplement.. i use redsea salt for 5% weekely change and use Randys DIY 3part to dose.... thats it....

 

Well the reason I would start with Reef Crystals, is to avoid the tedious switch of mixing salts and trying to "phase out" Instant Ocean. The foot of the BTA is about the size of a Nickel.

 

1. Many species of shrimp gobies get 5 inches, and IIRC the yellow watchmen isn't one of them.
2. BTA's can get 12in across easily, a 5.5 will be too small long term, same with the clowns.

 

Hey bud, i like your style and enthusiasm. You're just like I was 4 years ago. I stayed up till 3 reading almost every night and looked up elaborate fish and tanks and didn't want to even think i was on a budget. If you have never personally had a drop of saltwater in your tanks i would probably listen to peoples advice even the lfs's sometimes. keep calm and go slow. I know this might be aggravating but I too have a 29 and here's what I like seeing. I love to walk up to my tank and my tank up close looks like a bigger tank because of small marine life living and hiding among the rock. I say go small and have a few more little guys. Pm me anytime.

 

Edit: I'm not arguing.