large reef/salt tank options

[freshienow]

After this summer I was planning on setting up a large reef tank, at least 70 gallons or so. Between now and then I am going to do lots of research and read several books on the subject. Right now I have my mind set on a reef tank. Any recommendations on what sort of fish I should put in there?
So far i have these kind in mind:
-mandarin goby
-cardinal fish
-algae blenny
-damsel fish
-six line wrasse
-?boxfish?(maybe don't know a lot about them)
Also what sort of crustaceans should I put in there that would fit in with the community and not harm any of the fish or coral.

p.s.I have NO idea on whether or not the ideas I have in my head arte good ones, that is Why I made this thread

 

[BIGgourami]

as far as your fish go:
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
maybe IDK iof they are coral safe or not
the box fish would def. eat up any crustaseans that are put in there

if you intend to keep a lined wrasse and a mandarin together i would have to say you'd need ALOT of live rock to allow the madarin enough room to forage.. the wrasse will eat up alot of the micro fauna that the mandarin would need to thrive..
also you'd probably want to buy one that's already eating frozen foods.. the madarin not the wrasse

 

[freshienow]

Ok, thanks a lot!! yes I will purchase A LOT of live rock, more than I think I need at time of purchase. I read in another thread about making your own live rock, how would you do this? Or I might just not get the wrasse, any other fish suggestions? I'm willing to drop some on the list above if the suggestions are better.

 

[BIGgourami]

if you still wanted a wrasse a fairy or flasher wrasse would work and be more 'subtle' in the tank..

or you could stick to the 'proven'pacful fish, firefish, dartfish, cardinals, etc all are rather pretty and stay small and peacful

 

[freshienow]

aaaahhhh, very good looking fish, did I not mention firefish lol, I was thinking about a purple firefish.

 

[slowef]

Be careful with damsels as they can "freak" and kill everyone in the tank. They are thug fish and if you ever plan on getting different fish or removing the Damsels, have fun trying to catch those little guys without moving ALL of your live rock.

 

[BIGgourami]

i think as long as you are smart about choosing a good species and adding them properly to the tank, damsels are much less agressive than they are made out to be..

but yes certain ones are almost 100% major @holes

 

[freshienow]

haha too many human @holes to deal with, I'll drop the damsels, probably.

 

[freshienow]

 

[95Harley]

Also be careful with boxfish, when (if) they were to die...they put out a toxin in the water and can wipe out the whole tank.

Since you are staying small look at a single clown and bossibly a Dottyback or Pscheduchromis.

Also check out one of the small angels (Flame, Lemonpeel, Coral Beauty, etc...) But only 1.