stocking a beginners 58 Reef

[ishmael]

Call me Ishmael.
OK. Witness how my wishlist for my first reef tank has evolved...
Two gold headed gobies--no good...they will spray sand on to my clam.
Blue legged hermits-- nope...they will kill my snails for shells.
Hippo tang--no way too ich prone
Powder blue or brown--nope too difficult to keep happy
two marroon clowns? Be careful, probably not a good idea. They will fight.
Anemones? VERY bad success rates...
cleaner wrasse....picks at coral
Angels obviously not. And the list goes on and on.
I have really tried to do my homework before stocking my tank. I've read three books, visited dozens of websites and numerous fish suppliers.I am AMAZED at how limited the selection of compatible life forms there is for an aquarium. Since I have done searches on this Message board (which, by the way, I think is terrific..) I read so many stories of deaths and disease I feel saddened and discouraged. But this is what I'm considering. Please advise me if I still need to adjust or can add something of interest. Its a 58 Gallon, protein skimmed,
175 watt MH
Red legged hermits
turbo snails
peppermint shrimp
1 small yellow tang
1 marroon clown
1 bubble tip anemone
1 pygmy angel
1 six line wrasse
2 bangai cardinals
1 hammer coral
1 plate type coral
1 xenia
more corals?
Is it reasonable? I expect to add each one gradually over time, starting with the anemone to let it pick its spot in the tank...
Thanks for the help.

 

[ishmael]

Thanks for the feedback, JRT. I really appreciate it. I am starting out with a 175 watt 10000k Metal Halide. From what I,ve read I am considering adding actinic?
I thought that one or two tangs would be nice to look at as well as help keep the algae eaten. At first I even considered one small hippo, one powder blue and a yellow! I just love tangs, I guess. but now I've come to the realization that that would be asking for trouble.
Your purple firefish and royal gramma ideas sound great. Thanks. The jawfish though, I've read that they enjoy 4 inches of sand to burrow into. My substrate is only about two....
As for the dwarf angel, I've gotten mixed reviews as to whether or not they are reef appropriate.
Once again, TANKS for your advice!

 

[junkf15]

Good work!
What about a Long Nose Hawk fish? SO NEAT to watch. Also, a flower pot coral is very easy to keep, and also neat to watch, mine has bright green "flowers" that almost look like neon lights. I like aqua mushrooms, nice colors, easy to keep, and I like green star polups, they brighten the tank up a lot. You haven't mentioned any sponges, they are easy to keep and look neat; like a red branch, or an orange ball sponge (mine looks more yellow). Just some food for thought...

 

[ishmael]

Hmmmm....Long-nosed Hawkfish? Never even considered it. Are they fun to have? Do they behave.? I love any suggestions.
Tanks alot!

 

[ishmael]

And sponges can be handles by beginners? What do they require?