what to put in a 40 gallon

Right now the tank is empty except for a few crabs and snails 30 lbs sand and 20 lbs live rock.

My original plan was a pair of ocellaris clowns, a yellow watchmen, and a blue neon goby. BUT made the mistake of taking my husband to the LFS with me and he has fallen in love with a flame angel...now I was told at first not to put a flame in anything less than a 55 but we told them we have a 40 gallon breeder tank so they said he'd be ok in that. Also I was told the flame angel wouldn't be good with a yellow watchman or blue neon but I REALLY want my yellow watchman.

If I stick with my original plan of the yellow watchman, ocellaris clowns, and blue neon would it be best to add the gobies than the clowns?

Also I have read different ways to introduce clowns and I thought that adding one clown and letting her get established for a month or two and than adding a 2nd smaller clown would be best but our fish store said no to add them both together, which I know is another option as well. Is one way "more right" than the other?

I have some books that I'm reading that I got when I got the live rock and sand. My husband says I know just enough about this hobby to get me in trouble,lol.

 

My flame angel has been a perfect citizen. I actually have one in 2 different tanks. My 210g sps dominant mixed reef and in a 55g and I have seen no real aggression out of either one. This doesn't mean they can't be aggressive, but not all are predestined to be bullys. I have a yellow watchman in the 55 and never had a problem...


I have had much much more luck adding two small clowns at the same time. If you add them separately you may have to take special care to make sure the 2nd one doesn't get waxed by the other clown. It was hell to get my large female maroon to accept a mate.

I would add the clowns 2nd to last then the Flame angel last.

 

would they all be too much for a 40 gallon tank? If I got the yellow watchmen, clowns, blue neon and flame angel? Eventually I will increase my setup to a 90 gallon but that won't be for a year or two when we move into a permanent house and we're not just renting.

 

IMHO, that depends on your filtration. I don't think you would see aggression due to the size of tank. But you will need good filtration to handle the amount of feeding necessary.

Edit: good filtration or a strong water change schedule.

 

I agree. You might want to look into a sump/refugium to add volume and export nutrients. A skimmer would also be a good idea. IMO that stock looks mighty fine as long as you have adequate filtration and a nice PWC schedule like mentioned above.

 

And you have an advantage with the breeder, it has more surface area for gas exchange and more swim room.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have a sump or skimmer I have a hob filter the lfs uses for their tanks. I have a spare 10 gallon I could set up as a sump possibly. the tank was a turtle tank at one point and has a hole drilled already. i'll post up some pics of my tank.

I also have 2 powerheads on either side of the tank and the filter is made for a tank larger than what I have. And I was planning on weekly 5 gallon water changes for the tank.

 

Looks good. What brand of filter? I highly recomend this sumphttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036S1FQG/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1&qid=1325269150&sr=8-3

 

I have a 40 breeder as well. I have a pair of ocellaris clowns, 1 yellow tail damsel and a scooter blenny in it right now for fish at least. I plan on adding a Flame Angle today!

 

I also have a 40b. Would a flame do well in a reef?