125g possible fowlr ideas

[Cahooligan]

theres a possibility that i might throw my 125g freshwater over to saltwater. im trying to figure out costs here. im thinking about a predator/semi aggressive tank. im trying to figure out pricing.
I figure a 6ft flourescent strip light, or 2 3ft ones: around $100
acceptable in sump skimmer: around $300
roughly 55g sump: petco around $55
hob refugium from CPR: around $150
hydor koralia powerheads: around $100-200
heater, plumbing, etc...: maybe another $100ish

i have: a return pump, and a large external overflow so id be looking at around $900 before live rock and stocking.

the tank wont be a barebottom, so ill use livesand and ill seed baserock with a few pounds of liverock. i have a few hundred pounds of baserock laying around so im good with that.

okay...am i on the right track with all of this stuff so far?

ill also put down a general idea of a stocking list. i intend on lightly stocking the tank(or at least i think lightly stocking). My goal is to not have to do water changes like i do in my reefs. (i want it around every month or so) ill be using reef salt for added elements, my water is RO, and the tank will be covered to reduce evaporation...

Possible Stock list:
i will be putting my powder brown tang in it from my 75 reef (i know 75 is too small, but it was not my idea, nor am i allowed to remove it)

option 1:

-powder brown tang
-huma huma triggerfish
-snowflake eel(will seal the tank off real good)
-smaller puffer
-some damsels just because
-i know due to agressiveness of the puffer, trigger and eel, i cant have a cleanup crew...will longspine urchins, or other urchins work? and what about a fighting conch for sand sifting?

option 2:
-powder brown
-bluethroat triggerfish
-lionfish(either medium bodied or possibly volitans)
-damsels(if they dont get eaten)
-snowflake eel
-urchins again for cleanup

option 3(less aggressive):
-powder brown
-bluethroat triggerfish
-small school/shoal of anthias
-medium angelfish
-full cleanup crew

other ideas:
-wrasses, butterflys etc...

none of this is set in stone in anyway, and i am completely open to any comments, questions or suggestions in equiptment or in stocking. thanks for any input.

 

[DoubleM 10]

option 2=NO
Option 1=I like
Option 3= would be my last coice

i like #1 because i like eels and own one. also i think it is a great mix of fish

i dont like # 2 because lions and triggers dont mix. no matter how peacefull one day it will turn to he**

#3 is ok because u can actuall have a CUC and other parts of that team

IMO the trigger will knaw down the spines on the urchin

never owned the conch or sifting star

matt

 

[Cahooligan]

thank you. i know triggers/lionfish dont mix, i just wasnt sure on the planktonic feeders. now are there any possibilities on anything to keep the tank clean for option 1? i would think urchins are alright with the eel b/c they have softer mouths, but the trigger, and puffer(depending on species) can chew through about anything. im trying to make this as clean of a tank as possible to avoid as much regular maintenance as i can(not necessarily a good viewpoint) im looking at an octopus skimmer, which i know is a very good brand, and its rated for around 250g (i know all skimmers are somewhat rated higher than what would be expected, but double ought to do it)