Hello!

Hi,

I am from Toronto, Canada and just bought a 46 gallon tank yesterday. I am extremely excited (and nervous!) for this new hobby. I love scuba diving, so I hope to recreate a little part of the ocean in my living room!

Looking forward to getting to know some of you!

 

Hi and welcome to 3reef! What are your plans for the tank (stocking plans, corals, etc)?

 

Welcome to 3reef ParrotFish, and congrats on the new set up.

 

Welcome to 3reef. Is this your first tank?

 

Hi,

I am not too sure of my exact plans yet. I want to take it slow because I don't have any experience and want to be successful. I am letting my tank cycle now with the live rocks, sand, and chemicals. I am told that I should wait 3 or 4 weeks before introducing anything else into the system. I am considering adding a few damsel fish sooner to speed up the cycle, but I don't want to be too cruel.

I have 43 lbs of live rock in there right now so I won't have that much space. I am hoping I could get around 5 fish in there once it's going. Ideally a fox fish, a rainbow wrasse, yellow and/or blue tang, and damsel. Possibly A shrimp/goby pair.

Once those fish get stable (from my understanding it will take me a few weeks to introduce them all) I would like to star working on the coral. Start easy (I believe mushroom?) and work my way up as I get more of a handle on it and update my lighting system. I would also like to introduce a star fish or two once I get my chemistry balanced.

Hopefully my goals are realistic and this is the beginning of a great hobby!

 

welcome to 3reef!

 

Well so far you seem down the right path. As noted in the other thread, do not use Damsels to cycle the tank. No need since you have live rock, and plus you don't want to have to catch them afterwards (plus the cruelty to them!).

Now, on to your fish selection, unfortunately that needs some work. Here is a good reference for you to use to do some basic research on fish, corals, and inverts. Regarding the ones you mentioned, here is a little on each;

Foxface Rabbitfish - smallest member needs to be in a 75-90 gallon tank. These do get quite large, and quickly.

Rainbow Wrasse - I am assuming you are referring to Thalassoma lucasanum. If so, stay far, far away from any Wrasses in the Thalassoma genus. All get too large for a 46, they aren't reef safe, and are very aggressive fish. Instead, you can look into Possum Wrasse, most Flasher Wrasses, and smaller (adult size around 3") Fairy Wrasse. Here is a thread with excellent info on reef safe Wrasses: http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-122261.html#.UpvncsSkrss

Yellow or Blue Tang: Unfortunately, there is not a Tang out there suitable for a 46. The smallest of Tangs still need a 75-90 gallon tank.

Damsel: Depends on the species. Some are very aggressive, others are more passive. You could certainly do a pair of clowns, which are also Damsels. Add them last though.

Goby/Pistol Shrimp pair: Good choice. Just make sure you go with a true "watchman" goby, and not a sand sifting goby.

So, take a look and see what other suitable fish spark your interest. Then come back with any questions on your list as a whole, or individual fish.

For corals, you can certainly start with Mushrooms. Others would be Zoanthids/Palythoas, Candy Cane/Trumpet, Duncans, and most any soft coral. Depends on your lighting though.

I hope this helps you!

 

Marshall O, thank you so much for replying to my posts. Your feedback is invaluable. Thank you. This support is unbelievable.

I will definitely rethink my fish planning now. I was told at my LFS that I could get a small foxface fish or tang and keep them for up to a year as they grow, and then catch and sell the fish. Would you recommend against this still for my size of tank?

If I were to get a yellow tang and the goby/shrimp pairing and a few other fish (I was told maximum 6 fish for a 46 gallon tank) would you recommend that I get a clean up crew as well, or would the tang and goby/shrimp be sufficient?

I cannot wait to get some coral in here, the plain look of the rocks with lack of colour or texture is getting depressing. Should my coral be scarce, or would I be able to a lush coral covering. I wish I wasn't limited by such a small tank.

Thank you!

 

You could do that with the Foxface; however the problem is you will get attached to it very quickly and not want to give it back. I can't imagine having to give mine back. My daughter adores it (Spike she calls it) and it is part of the family. Wait until you have a large enough tank is my suggestion.

And again unfortunately a 46 is too small for any Tang I have two small (2.5-3") Tangs in my 46 (my quarantine tank) and they are already too small for the tank IMO (they will both be relocated to my 125 shortly). They just get too big and are much to active for a 3' long tank.

But yes, you should definitely get a CUC. I recommend some Nerite, Cerith Dwarf Cerith, and Nassarius snails. Maybe a couple of blue or red legged hermits.

And finally, you will be surprised by how many corals you can fit into a 46 gallon. Don't worry about that for now

 

You may want to look into a dwarf angel like a flame or coral beauty and a goby/pistol combo
Dwarf angels are semi reef safe... Some will nip corals but if you keep them well fed it shouldn't be a problem