158g Fowlr

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12614412#post12614412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
Yeah I would love to see pictures when you get the tank going. Especially of the puffers! Here is a pic of my two guys:

Digi086.jpg
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I live in Indian Harbor Beach, Fl and we have an inter coastal waterway (we call it a river but that is misleading) and it is just full of that type of puffer fish one day i am going to set up a Florida FOWLR tank and those guys will definitely be in there, :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12747454#post12747454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LisaD
I wouldn't keep a blue line with the puffer, due to size and aggression. I'd only risk a niger if you knew you'd upgrade to a larger tank eventually (and start with a small one). There are other good choices.

I know I'm repetitive about this, but an Australian harlequin tuskfish is a fantastic choice. Your boys would like the blue "fangs", and this fish is really gentle, but outgoing with a great appetite. It stays less than 12" too.

You could also keep a foxface, which is colorful, personable and hardy.

I have had great luck with medium sized hogfish. Cool fish with lots of personality, some are very colorful, and generally not bullies.

If you must have a trigger, consider a sargassum or blue throat. They stay moderate sized and are peaceful.

You are wise to take out the corals you like best and move them to your reef, just in case...

Beautiful tank! I'm glad your friend reconsidered.
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Whats the diff between the Aust and Reg Tusk....got a picturte to show difference?

Also, isnt a hogfish simailar to a wrasse which the Harlequin is.. (costantly moving) and will fight with the Harlequin?

How is the temperment of the Niger Trigger.. fairly peaceful like a blue throat or even a Picasso(Huma Huma)?

thanks
 
a hogfish is a type of wrasse, as is the HT. I wasn't suggesting that he keep both, though I don't know that they would fight. I have never kept them together, but each separately has been very peaceful for a wrasse.

the difference can be subtle, but it's clear if you are a HT afficianado. here is a link to an article showing pictures of HT from the Phillipines vs. Australian HT.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/wrasses/choerodon/faciata.htm

I don't have a lot of experience with Nigers. I've had mine for a while, but I got it while it was very small, and it is still under 4". so far, it is very peaceful, I'd say in between a bluethroat and a huma huma. but that may change as it gets older/larger.
 
great reading Lisa. the Harlequin is growing on me. I did see some pics on live aquaria of them, and I prefer the Australian version. of course, it's the more expensive one, figures.
 
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Ok, the move will take place next Friday on this set up. I have a question and would like/need everyone's opinion. I would like to keep some softies like GSP, mushrooms to help with phosphates etc. My question is the tank comes with 2X250 MH lighting; I have another fixture I would rather use instead with 4X65 PC lighting. WIll the PC's keep the softies, or should I stick wth the 250's?
 
I keep 4 x 65-watt PCs over a 55, and maintain softies with this lighting. I don't think you have to use the MH, but I'd beef up the PCs more if I were you.
 
Thanks Lisa. don't know if I will spend the $$$ to beef up with another PC fixture. In that case I would keep the MH's.
 
How wide is the tank? I got some really inexpensive Coralife T-5s recently. The fixture is really narrow and low. You might be able to add some light without spending too much.

This is not where I got them, but it describes the Coralife fixtures. Mine has two bulbs, FS and actinic, in a 30" fixture (to cover a 29 FOWLR. I'm happy with it so far.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Coralife_Aqualight_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_T5_Light_s/293.htm

I think the MHs would be nice, but would compare cost of power and consider how much the tank might heat up if you didn't have a chiller.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12843759#post12843759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LisaD
How wide is the tank? I got some really inexpensive Coralife T-5s recently. The fixture is really narrow and low. You might be able to add some light without spending too much.

This is not where I got them, but it describes the Coralife fixtures. Mine has two bulbs, FS and actinic, in a 30" fixture (to cover a 29 FOWLR. I'm happy with it so far.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Coralife_Aqualight_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_T5_Light_s/293.htm

I think the MHs would be nice, but would compare cost of power and consider how much the tank might heat up if you didn't have a chiller.
Click to expand...


Thanks Lisa, I will look through the site. I guess I could add a small (small in bulb count) T5 fixture if it looks like the PC fixture is not keeping the softies right? BTW, the tank dimensions are 60"X24"X25"T, that might help with opinions.
 
elecbzerk,

I have never ordered from that site, so I don't know if it's good. I'd try thatpetplace and marinedepot if you consider a purchase.

I have the Coralife Aqualight PC 65-watt x 4 (no moonlights) over my 55, which is 12" wide. The fixture is 48" long. If you found you needed more light, you could probably get one of those on your tank in addition to what you have, and be well prepared to handle the softies.

If you decided to try the 2-bulb T-5, here's where I'd get it:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209444/product.web
 
Yeah, those T5 fixtures are very common on many sites and LFS here. I am leaning towards trying the PC's and dismantling the MH's. I guess I would have to set the fixture right on top of the glass though.
 
I don't know if you can get "feet" for them or not. My coralife PCs are mounted above the glass.
 
true, I forgot, the feet I have attach at the ends of the tank. can you sell the MH and use the money to buy a nice PC or T-5 fixture?
 
Yeah, I have some options. The PC lighting I have is on my 75, and was planning moving 2 of the 4 MH's from the new tank to the 75 for better lighting on the reef. I could keep the other two on the 158, or, move the PC's over to it. Good idea though to sell the other two and buy another PC/T5 fixture. I'll look into that too.
 
Yeah, I have some options. The PC lighting I have is on my 75, and was planning moving 2 of the 4 MH's from the new tank to the 75 for better lighting on the reef. I could keep the other two on the 158, or, move the PC's over to it. Good idea though to sell the other two and buy another PC/T5 fixture. I'll look into that too.
 
Well, I got it all moved to my house today. I will post pics tomorrow After the sand settles and I do some aquascaping. Here is the tentative stocking list:

golden dogface puffer 2" (already have this one in a smaller set up)
porcupine puffer
Blue throat trigger and/or niger trigger
harlequin tusk-australia
maybe a tang for algae purposes

Any opinions/suggestions? BTW-I plan to buy each of these fish very small, to watch them grow, and determine if any of them is not a good fit
 
Congratulations! Sounds like a plan!

If I were you:

1) I'd reconsider the porc. No offense to fans out there, but I got one recently to replace the pinktail trigger that was harassing my HT. Well, the porc nips at him even worse, and just doesn't seem to be happy in the tank, staying off by itself on one end of the tank. I like my dogface puffer much much better. Maybe it's just the individual I have, and maybe he will settle down. But you have limited real estate. I'd enjoy the dogface you have and hold off for a while on the porc. Maybe consider one of the sharpnose puffers (get 4" or so) if it will be compatible with the dogface and won't nip fins too bad...

2) If you want a fish for algae purposes, and aren't especially a tang lover, get a foxface lo. They are hardy, inexpensive, have great personalities, and add a gorgeous yellow to the tank. They will also eat some types of algae that most tangs won't touch. (Not sure if this was already discussed.)

3) It is hard to find HT very small. I have seen one tiny one in all the years I've kept fish. Normally the "small" ones run at least 5 inches. I think they are collected by people fishing for them with barbless hooks.

4) I don't remember if it's been discussed in this thread, but you might consider a dwarf angel for color and activity as well. You could add one without contributing too much to the bioload.
 
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