Stocking Question/Assistance - what to get?

[jasonmarc]

Hi guys & gals,
Ok - I'm turning to the "boards" for advice and ideas. I have a 44 pent. tank with high flow rate (running close to 20x/hr) for it being a FO tank. I've found that is needed to keep the pH at the appropriate level.
I posted a while back about a TR Bangaii cardinal, which made it out of quarantine and only 7 days in the DT before passing on. I currently have:
2 TR ocellaris
2 larger turbo snails
1 TR canary blenny in QT
I need some ideas on fish to (eventually) get. I really like the look of the bangaii, but I'm thinking the heavier flow kept him from thriving in the DT - he tended to stay bunched in a low-flow corner while he was in there.
I want peaceful, easier-type fish. I like firefish, so that may be the next investment. But with the size and shape of the tank I have, what would folks recommend?
I'm also thinking of the blue reef chromis - I love the color I'm seeing on them. But with a relatively small footprint, would my tank have the proper size for an active/schooling fish?
Ideas appreciated. - thanks
Jason

 

[sharkboy13]

well i would only reccomend one school of fish per tank really, but if i wer u id stick w/ what u got and get maybe one more smaller fish

 

[lesleybird]

Why do you need such a high flow rate to keep the ph at the proper level? If you need more oxygen in the tank get an overflow box with a sump below. You could then slow the flow rate down and get a couple of tank raised seahorses that would like to live in a deep tank and would be ok with a small goby. Lesley

 

[jasonmarc]

3 fish in a 44 gallon tank?
How about some of the 35 other people that looked at this - any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks

 

[mace]

Originally Posted by JasonMarc
3 fish in a 44 gallon tank?
How about some of the 35 other people that looked at this - any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks
You have to look at how big those fish will get. 44 gals is not a lot. I have a 40g hex and only have 3 fish in there. Clown, basslet and a purple fire fish. I will add some sort of bottom dweller in a few weeks.

 

[jasonmarc]

I realize that part Mace - I realize I'm limited - that's why I was asking.
But if you're looking at 4 in a 40... I have 3 in a 44 (yes they will be slightly different sizes)....oh well.. thanks anyway everyone

 

[mace]

You can add the fire fish I dont think that will hurt any.

 

[texanangel]

I love my firefish, he puts himself to bed each night when I turn off the lights, and comes out each morning when I turn them on. Be careful with the bangaii (or banner) cardinals, I've heard many stories of them getting aggressive when they're older. Granted that holds true for many fish. And I have a 56 gallon, and I'm only doing four fish. Remember you can get quite a few inverts, and think to getting corals later, they really brighten up your tank. I just got my lighting so I can get corals, very exciting.