First SW reef tank, 55 gal. advice please

[Bavs]

Hey all,
First post on 3reef. Been reading the posts and finally decided to sign up! Anyway im in the process of starting my first 55 gal SW tank, with plans of it being a reef tank. Im finishing up a 20g sump with a mag 7 return and a aquac urchin protein skimmer, i have 32 lbs of live rock, 30lbs live sand, and plan on adding at least 20lbs of LR more before i start adding fish. The tank is cycled and the parameters look good.
Ok so here are the plans for fish:
2: Clownfish
1: Flame Angelfish (i know its not 100% reef safe but alot of people have had success with them so i want to give it a shot)
Ok the questions i have are...
-I want to have one more fish, maybe a tang or a wrasse, are there any small tangs that i could fit with the other 3 fish?
-What are some good beginner corals that the flame would probably leave alone?
-Any recommendations on a good clean up crew?
-And what is a good anemone for the clowns?

Im trying to do as much homework as i can, i realize building a reef is a long, careful, time consuming process and i want to do it right. thanks for the help all!

[nemo1991]

well i have a 55 and just started a it like a 3 months or more ago, i have a blue tang, yellow tang, 2 blue/green chromis, 2 false perc clowns, 2 black saddleback clowns, and a blue damsel ahah, i started out with zoas first, then went to a hammer coral, a derasa clam, and some green star polyps (sp?) and my tank parameters are fine, i have some cheato in there, that along wiith my skimmer and clam (he is like 6 inches or so) my parameters r fine, and my skimmer is not too good either hahaha

[wildreef]

welcome to 3reef

[feixjai]

Your tank will be fine with one more fish, but don't add all of the fish in at one time. The key to a successful tank is to be patient. I'm pretty sure a small yellow tang would do it for now, but once it gets bigger, you should find another person that have an appropriate set up that can take it or trade it to a LFS for a smaller one. As for a wrasse, there are many colorful wrasse out there like a fairy wrasse or even a six line wrasse.
What kind of lighting do you have? PC, MH, T5s?
Depending on the lighting you have, there are many easy corals such as zoos or polyps, mushrooms are also a great beginners coral. You could even try GSP (green star polyps) they grow like weeds under good conditions. Good luck with your tank, and welcome to the boards. Well I only joined a couple of days ago, and I'm having a blast learning and reading.

[mandarin11]

Welcome to 3 reef!

I also have a 55gal. It's been reef for 10 months, but I've had it for 4 years. As to what you want to keep coral wise what type of lighting do you have? Reply and we'll go from there.

For fish 2 clowns are ok and even the flame angel, just be warned that out of all of the pygmy angels flames are one of the hardest to keep. And stick to the one pair of clowns. It's never a good idea to put 2 pairs together in a tank together unless it's massive. Just because it's been done doesn't mean it should be. As far as tangs go I always tell people flat out "no" when it comes to a 55. Sure you could get a baby and have it until it grew some but then it would have to get rehomed so you would need to make sure you had someone in mind with a bigger tank that could take it or a reliable LFS to trade it in at.

Instead of a tang try a wrasse. There are many reef safe beautiful wrasses to choose from for a 55. Try one of the fairy or flasher wrasses after your tank has had time to establish itself. I'm assuming you know about the cycling period (which will probably start over when you add that extra 20 ibs of rock). Don't add fish to quickly, and always know your water params before you bring something new home.

Since this is your first SW let me save you some heartache. DO NOT bring something home that you have not planned on getting or know the requirements for (feeding, light, temp, etc.). LFS advice that you're getting the fish at does not count. Most of them will tell you anything to get the fish sold (Not all, but most).

As to your beginner corals, once again I need to know your lighting situation but normally any SW tank can have zoas and mushrooms, both of which are very easy to keep.

For a clean up crew, besides a lawnmower blenny or foxface (venomous
) for a cool algae animal (both are fish) try some snails. Mexican turbos are my favorite. They're like lawnmowers for your tank and they do a lot of work for one snail so you won't have to go nuts with them like a lot of people have to with other snails. They can be clumsy, but they're well worth that IMO. Nassarius snails are great for the sand bed.

Keep in mind that anemones need lots of lighting so once again we need to know what you have first.

Good luck and feel free to ask questions anytime.

[missionsix66]

Ok the questions i have are...
-I want to have one more fish, maybe a tang or a wrasse, are there any small tangs that i could fit with the other 3 fish?
-What are some good beginner corals that the flame would probably leave alone?
-Any recommendations on a good clean up crew?
-And what is a good anemone for the clowns?

Im trying to do as much homework as i can, i realize building a reef is a long, careful, time consuming process and i want to do it right. thanks for the help all![/quote]
Welcome to 3reef!
Go with a 6line or, leopord wrasse. Small tangs, not really.
Good beginner corals: Star polyps(possible issue with angel), mushrooms, xenia, zoas(possible nipping by angel), button polyps(possible nipping), kenya tree, colt coral,LPS corals, there are quite a few easy corals to get. Keep in mind that nipping/coral problems with the angel can be influenced by being under/improperly fed.
The list on the clean-up crew is easily obtained on-line for reference. Snails, hermits, shrimp work best for me.
The bubble tip anemone is a good pair for clowns. Reasearch should be done prior to adding anemone though. They require alot of attention and are a handful IMO. Your anemone should be one of your first to be added so, it doesn't roam your tank stinging your corals.

[baugherb]

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>>>

[R34dawn]

Welcome! I just joined yesterday, I have a 55g also and 45# of LR on 2 1/2" of Fiji pink LS,
10g sump 3500 Ocean runner, nano skimmer, no significant lighting as yet need some $$$
first....lol

[Stingray]

Nemo by blue tang do you mean a regal tang?

Oh i see from another thread it is a regalk tang , they get quite big for a 55.

[BaxterS80]

Welcome to 3reef!!!!!!!