30 gallon reef inhabitants

[jibbittyflibbit]

im starting a 30 gallon reef in the next few weeks, here is my shopping list as far as stock.. probably most of it would be from this site..
2x Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
1x Coral Banded Shrimp
2x Peppermint Shrimp
5x Blueleg Hermit Crab
5x Scarlet Hermit Crab
Decorator Crab
Emerald Crab
2x Horseshoe Crab
Sandsifting Starfish
10x Turbo Snail
2 percula clownfish
1 purple firefish
4" DSB .. probably 25 lbs LS, rest quickrete or southdown, depending on what i can find...
110 watts PC lighting - from LFS
40 or so lbs of LR
that good? should i trim some inverts?
thanks
jib

 

[jibbittyflibbit]

no plans on a filter or skimmer at the moment
i should be ok without the filter, since this is a berlin setup
probably a maxi-jet 400 (106gph) for circulation
any opinions ?
thanks again
jib

 

[ivanfj]

I used maxi-jet 600 in my 20 and I feel it's not really strong enough. As for the livestock, the CBS could kill all the other shrimps. I had one that killed all my cleaners before. HTH

 

[jibbittyflibbit]

thanks for you input.. i guess ill skip the CBS .. at least i can still get 2 cleaner and 2 peppermint shrimps.
maybe ill look at the next higher model up from the 600.. since you said that wasnt enough for a 20 gal.. and mine is a 30
regards,
jib

 

[jibbittyflibbit]

BUMP
could use a 3rd opinion
thanks

 

[rook]

I have a 29 gallon.
I say, IMO, no on the coral banded for reasons stated,
no on the bluelegs they will kill your snails for the shells,
at least wait on the emerald until there is enough algea to feed him, if not well feed he may eat some small polyps,
no on the horseshoes, my eat clams, and will get too big,
Lighting?? Depends on what type of corals you want to keep. If you ever plan on sps or clams, look into metal halides. Or at least buy a do it yourself install kit with rubber waterproof endcaps, so you can use them more versitally with MH down the road.
Powerheads?? I have a maxijet 1200 and two 900's. One 900 is directed behind the liverock to prevent dead spots, and the other two are pointed at the glass on each side to disperse the water. I have them hooked up to a wavemaker to create a rolling natural looking flow. I don't think it is too much. I think it is difficult to have too much, unless you have a tank that requires low water flow. Also, make sure the waterflow is well disappated so as not to put stress on any corals.
Also, some possiblities. I would consider an drilled overflow with a sump if you can fit one under your tank. You can DIY a lot of this to save on money, but having the room is the problem. You will want to strongly consider a float switch and top off system so you don't have to replenish evaporated water everyday. If you ever want to leave for the weekend, you will love a topoff system.