Idaho-Tank build... Starting over

So since it seems as I may be getting close to actually beginning the stocking of the tank - here is my first potential stock list. Please critique.

2 Ocellaris clowns - black or regular (had a breeding pair before, hope to again)
Blue tang (got to have Dorie)
Tribal Blenny
Sailfin tang
Yellow or red clown goby
Yellow watchman goby
2-4 Kaudern's Cardinal
2 dartfish - firefish

2 Peppermint Shrimp (one in sump one in display)
1 pistol shrimp
Dersa Clam(s)

Corals - depends on whats at the LFS and looks healthy.

Anemone -Carpet. Have kept carpets in the past with success and its what the wife wants again - although when I tore down my tank last I ended up with one wrapped around my arm. It stung me many times over until I was able to slowly pull it off my arm.... they are so sticky and it was about 12"+ across. Will need to be fore careful in the future handling them, don't really want to go through that again.

clean up crew

 

I personally dislike clownfish because they are mean, but you cant really ask for a more visable fish, they never hide. I'd watch out with the carpet, they have been known to eat fish. If you want to get into SPS watchout what fish you put in!

 

Yeah we like clowns - had a breeding pair before and hope to find another pair. I have also had good luck with carpets but I know they have a questionable reputation.

As far as fish with SPS, I thought this list was SPS safe?

Day 5 (with shrimp in water)

SG = about 1.025 +/-
Temp = 78.5
Ammonia = .25
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0

No raise in Nitrates yet - ammonia did go up slightly... I can smell the shrimp when I stick my head inside the stand - not a good smell. lol

 

Ive had terrible luck with *reefsafe* blennies and gobies. Clown gobies can kill entire acro colonies, and my ember blenny munched by blue voodoo to nothing. Its still slowly dieing. Luckily the blenny only ate that acro and starved. I couldnt catch them.

 

Day 6 Pulled the shrimp out this morning.... It was starting to get fuzzy and grow unwanted bacteria. I think it did the job of spiking my ammonia - fortunately it didn't go over .25 - hopefully it will drop back to zero in the next day or two. Still not sure why I still don't see any Nitrates though.

SG = about 1.025 +/-
Temp = 78.5
Ammonia = .25
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0

Also wondering what kind of temp swings people are getting.... My tank ranges between 78-80. Fortunately where we live even without A/C I have never needed a chiller.

 

Day 7 Everything looking good. Adding a Yellow watchman & Pistol Shrimp

SG = about 1.025 +/-
Temp = 78.5
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0

Skimmer working good - seems to be broke in. Pulling out skimmate from somwhere.

 

Day 8 Water tests still looking good

SG = about 1.025 +/-
Temp = 78.5
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0

My wife was in Boise over the weekend and stopped off at the LFS. She brought home 2 Peppermint Shrimp, a Tiger Pistol Shrimp and a Yellow Watchman Goby. I was a little surprised by the size or should I say lack of when I saw my new inhabitants... Im left wondering how fast these guys grow! Sets the bar for the fish size for my tank.

I used a 5 gallon bucket and drip acclimated these guys for 1.5 hours before putting them into the tank.

I have never owned a pistol shrimp before during the acclimation he was actually chasing the Peppermint shrimp around snapping his claw. I was amazed at how loud this TINY little thing could be. He spent about half of the acclimation time sitting beside the Yellow Watchman. I am really hoping they hit it off and work together like so many Gobies and pistol shrimp do.

After the acclimation, I put the peppermint shrimp in - they quickly hid. Then the Goby and pistol shrimp. The pistol was lightning quick and hid. The Goby never hid at all... just crawled along the bottom and actually ate a copepod that happened to cross his path. I figured it was a good sign that he ate seconds after being in the tank.

Here is my acclimation bucket. These guys are huge aren't they... Hope the tank can handle the bio load. lol. (Yes there are actually 3 shrimp in there.)



A zoom in on the inch long Yellow Watchman. These guys are so fun to watch.

 

Nice Setup. Also nice to see someone else in Idaho on here

K+ For the awesome pics!

 

watch out with peppermint shrimp eating corals. I hate them, they can trash a frag in no time if you dont keep them happy and full

 

Im just hoping they develop an apatite for aptasia.... Then if they cause a problem I will trap them and put them into my fuge.