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[Amphibious]

Welcome to TR Dave. We appreciate your service to our wonderful country, thank you!

I like the fact that you have done some research and involved the family. That's a great thing to do.

Some of what I'm going to address has already been stated but my opinion should reinforce theirs. Also, we don't know the level of knowledge you have so bare with us on the basics if you already are aware of them.

Originally Posted by Dreed

We are going with about 55-60lb of Figi live rock and a 2-2.5" live sand bed.

My choice would be to go with about 90 lbs of LR. Generally it is recommended to use about 1 1/2 lbs per gallon of system water. Your live sand bed at 2.5" will contain and support aerobic bacteria good for the initial two cycling events. One, the conversion of Ammonia (very toxic) to Nitrite (very toxic). Second, the conversion of Nitrite to Nitrate (much less toxic, tolerated at low levels). Nitrate, if not converted to Nitrogen gas will continue to build to toxic levels. Along the way it will fuel other problems. How do we handle this Nitrate problem? I use and promote DSBs (deep sand beds) of a 4" minimum. This allows for anaerobic bacteria to develop and convert Nitrate to Nitrogen gas which is then released to the atmosphere. For more information on DSBs, go to this link on my web site and read Dr. Ron Shimek's article Sand Bed Secrets Click on the thumbnail picture of the book. You will come away with a better understanding of sand beds and the Nitrogen cycle which all tanks go through.

For corals, we have so far, monticap, some mushrooms, a torch, a sun coral, a chili coral, hammer, a toadstool, green polyp leather, and some different color Zoa's(my favorite).

In addition to the Chili Coral that Phurst mentioned, I'd caution you on the Sun Coral also. It requires special feeding because it is not photosynthetic either. It needs to be fed separately. I'd forgo that for now until you see the level of commitment generated from the family while your gone.

I haven't read on too many more but we've seen alot we like.

This is shared by all of us.

The fish we would like are 2 false percs, a yellow tang, a lawnmower blenny or a red scooter blenny, a red spotted hawk, a 6 line wrasse, a green or a spotted mandarin dragonet and we'd like a blue hippo but understand if the tank's too small we'd settle for a Kole, blue spotted Kole or a yellow eyed Kole to replace the hippo. The boys would love a "dorrie" in the tank.

As mentioned by others, your tank is too small for any Tang. They need a minimum of 6' of length for their comfort and that is a hard fast rule. Yes, you could get a little one with the intent of upgrading your system when he outgrows the tank. Please don't even consider that option. It is cruel to the fish because even at 1 or 2" the Tangs are programed to roam wide and far and they will be stressed out in your tank. A stressed Tang will soon be a diseased Tang and then you have real problems to deal with. By the way, the disease usually times it's arrival upon your departure on a TDY trip. No kidding!

The clowns (Ocelaris or Percula) are okay. Be aware that other species of clowns, cute and friendly in small sizes grow into territorial beasts. Ask here before buying. Scooter Bleenies and Manderins require live copepods to survive and Phurst covered the reasons for not having them.

I will be the one to inform "The Boys", sorry, no Dory guys. Dory is a tang that reaches 12" in length. Your tank is too small.

My skimmer is a Berlin Classic that I believe is rated to 125g but I got it for $75 so I took the deal. I plan to have 2 Koralia 3's for internal circulation

You got a great deal on the Berlin. I used one on my 75 gal for several years and loved it. When it comes time to shop for your Koralia #3 pumps please check out our web site - Koralia Pumps. We are a Tr sponsor. Besides having good prices we offer free shipping.

As I was typing this I see you responded, so I will continue on. You said you are open to more recommendations. That's good.

I hear that nobody should go with a tang because of size but I see so many of them in similar tanks for extended periods of time. When we decided to go with the yellow and one of the others, we understood that we'll have to get them small and either sell them off to the LFS for credit when they're too big, or hopefully our plans to get back to our other house up north would work out in 2 years and we could take everything up there to a 120-150g setup in my bar (basement).

Please read the following from someone who has been there and done that or at least tried. Selling them off when too big is more hassle than what it's worth. Your tank is going to be set up, established, LR decorated, etc. Do you think that tang, or any other fish, is going into a net with out a struggle? They are nearly impossible to catch with out tearing the LR out. Forget it. Moving them in two years is living in the future, we live in the now. Have you ever moved a fish tank cross country? It's a disaster waiting to happen and it will happen. It can be done but think for a minute. Your moving a complete household, wife, kids, cars and only you know what else. Adding a fish tank, filter system, livestock and water, again, I'll repeat it, is a disaster waiting to happen. It sounds easy but it's not. It sounds like the 120 or 150 gal in the basement is in the planning stages. That's going to be a great tank but, live in reality, Dave. Are you going to set that tank up ahead of time, allow two months for the cycle to happen? Or are you going to set the current tank back up the moment you get in the driveway? Because after making the trip "up North", you, the Wife, the kids and the fish are going to be stressed to the max. Am I making any sense? Do you understand? You would be better off selling this set-up and have the fun of taking the wife and boys on a buying spree once settled up North. Maybe you have a better plan, I don't know.

Just trying to point out reality, Dave. Hope you are not offended by anything I've said.

Dick