Help stocking 50g FOWLR

newsalt · 01-29-2004, 12:13 PM

I've finally decided to go for a new 50g (36"x18"x18") tank. If you've read any of my other posts, I was first thinking of a 29g or 37g then I went to 40g breeder. Last night I noticed that a 50g is still 36" wide so I'm going to get a 50g. A 48" tank is too long for the space I have.

Anyway, I currently have a 15g high with 3 fish in it, a pair of clowns and a coral beauty. I'm not adding any more until I get the 50g (hopefully by Easter).

I wanted some stocking advice. Obviously, the two clowns and the coral beauty will be transferred to the new 50g. I wanted suggestions as to what else I might be able to put in the tank. I definitely want a royal gramma and perhaps 3 green chromis. I guess any type of Tang or Butterfly fish is out of the question right? Is what I've mentioned:

pair of clowns
coral beauty
royal gramma
3 green chromis

all I could have or is that even too much?

Thanks for the advice.

BoomerD · 01-29-2004, 12:26 PM

Unless you have a fairly large tank in your immediate future, the tangs will quickly out grow a 36" tank. That's not to say you can't have one in there, but you will have to be prepaared to either upgrade the tank in about a year, or else try to catch the fish out & trade it in for a smaller one periodically. If ya get them small, they will do fine until they get to about 3 - 4", then there's just not enough room for them to swim. SAme with just about any fish you wish to keep. Butterflies, angels, etc. Most CAN be kept in that size tank for a while, but will quickly out grow it. You'd be better advised to stick with the smaller fish such as you mentioned, clowns, psuedochromis, smaller dwarf angels etc.
Just my $.02

johnlewis · 01-29-2004, 02:16 PM

Some fairy wrasses would be a good addtion. Most bflys get big and are picky eaters. Jawfish would be a good addtion, but you will need 2-3" of sand or small crushed coral.

fidojoe · 01-29-2004, 02:17 PM

In my 50 (48" version) I went through 2 yellow tangs at different times, which are supposed to be the only ones you can keep in a tank of about 50 gallons, they just did not seem happy. My guess was that they are grazers and I didn't have much LR in my tank for them to graze on. They do require at least 48" of lateral swim space.

01-29-2004, 12:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	Help stocking 50g FOWLR I've finally decided to go for a new 50g (36"x18"x18") tank. If you've read any of my other posts, I was first thinking of a 29g or 37g then I went to 40g breeder. Last night I noticed that a 50g is still 36" wide so I'm going to get a 50g. A 48" tank is too long for the space I have. Anyway, I currently have a 15g high with 3 fish in it, a pair of clowns and a coral beauty. I'm not adding any more until I get the 50g (hopefully by Easter). I wanted some stocking advice. Obviously, the two clowns and the coral beauty will be transferred to the new 50g. I wanted suggestions as to what else I might be able to put in the tank. I definitely want a royal gramma and perhaps 3 green chromis. I guess any type of Tang or Butterfly fish is out of the question right? Is what I've mentioned: pair of clowns coral beauty royal gramma 3 green chromis all I could have or is that even too much? Thanks for the advice. __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-29-2004, 02:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	In my 50 (48" version) I went through 2 yellow tangs at different times, which are supposed to be the only ones you can keep in a tank of about 50 gallons, they just did not seem happy. My guess was that they are grazers and I didn't have much LR in my tank for them to graze on. They do require at least 48" of lateral swim space. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

01-29-2004, 12:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,223 View Gallery Karma Komment	Unless you have a fairly large tank in your immediate future, the tangs will quickly out grow a 36" tank. That's not to say you can't have one in there, but you will have to be prepaared to either upgrade the tank in about a year, or else try to catch the fish out & trade it in for a smaller one periodically. If ya get them small, they will do fine until they get to about 3 - 4", then there's just not enough room for them to swim. SAme with just about any fish you wish to keep. Butterflies, angels, etc. Most CAN be kept in that size tank for a while, but will quickly out grow it. You'd be better advised to stick with the smaller fish such as you mentioned, clowns, psuedochromis, smaller dwarf angels etc. Just my $.02

01-29-2004, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	Some fairy wrasses would be a good addtion. Most bflys get big and are picky eaters. Jawfish would be a good addtion, but you will need 2-3" of sand or small crushed coral.

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