So I am about to get VERY lucky and land a 250 gallon aquarium with stand and sump for $300. The dimensions are 86l-30h-22w (I may be off a few inches but that is the basic footprint). I want it to be FOWLR and I am just blown away by the possibilitys! I want suggestions! What do you think would look cool with this size of aquarium??? SHOW PICS IF YOU CAN! lol
250 gallon thoughts!
- Thread starter sportyrox
- Start date
Wow, what a great deal! I'd love a tank like that.
I'll tell you my list - I have some of these in my 210:
Emperor angelfish
Mimic tang
Australian harlequin tuskfish
Dogface puffer
Porcupine puffer
Brazilian dragon moray
Blue throat trigger (or pair)
Whatever you get, have a great time!
I'll tell you my list - I have some of these in my 210:
Emperor angelfish
Mimic tang
Australian harlequin tuskfish
Dogface puffer
Porcupine puffer
Brazilian dragon moray
Blue throat trigger (or pair)
Whatever you get, have a great time!
elecbzerk
Premium Member
WOW...great deal!!!!Lisa's list is good. You might also think about some of the fish only wrasses available, and maybe some Angels as well. either of these types will add a great deal of color and movement. and with your tank size you have alot of room and options!!have fun and keep us posted, pics are nice too.
Here's what I actually have in my 210. Except for my concern about being overcrowded, this is a great mix. The fish are very interactive and the eels are out a lot.
In the tank now:
6" emperor angel
4" porcupine puffer
5" dogface puffer
8" black tip grouper
6" Australian harlequin tuskfish
24-30" Brazilian dragon moray
3.5+ foot zebra moray
Going in soon: 3" niger trigger and blue spot rabbitfish
For the most part, they get along, although the HT gets picked on by my angel and porc puffer. Hopefully with time, he'll get a little more assertive. (BTW, relative to elecbzerk's comment, a harlequin tusk IS a wrasse!)
Look at pictures of danorth's Coris wrasse. It's a gorgeous fish, and has been at about 12" for several years. Be sure you get the right species - some Coris get over 2 feet! If I had more room and a deeper sand bed, I'd get one of those.
Another nice fish is the foxface lo (as a suggested yellow fish in place of the mimic tang) - economical price, hardy, peaceful but can stand up for itself, eats algae, great color.
In the tank now:
6" emperor angel
4" porcupine puffer
5" dogface puffer
8" black tip grouper
6" Australian harlequin tuskfish
24-30" Brazilian dragon moray
3.5+ foot zebra moray
Going in soon: 3" niger trigger and blue spot rabbitfish
For the most part, they get along, although the HT gets picked on by my angel and porc puffer. Hopefully with time, he'll get a little more assertive. (BTW, relative to elecbzerk's comment, a harlequin tusk IS a wrasse!)
Look at pictures of danorth's Coris wrasse. It's a gorgeous fish, and has been at about 12" for several years. Be sure you get the right species - some Coris get over 2 feet! If I had more room and a deeper sand bed, I'd get one of those.
Another nice fish is the foxface lo (as a suggested yellow fish in place of the mimic tang) - economical price, hardy, peaceful but can stand up for itself, eats algae, great color.
I think I will stay away from morays, just concentrating on free-swimming fish. Can anyone tell me some info on the Broomtail Wrasse? There is two at my local LFS and they are pretty awesome looking but look very similar to the Napolean Wrasse which I work with at the Ga Aquarium sometimes........they get huge. So should I expect the same from the Broomtail? Also do you think that could get along with a tusk? I know they are both wrasse but they body shape and color differs so maybe that would work?
I think a broomtail is going to get on the edge of too big for your tank, almost two feet. I don't know how fast they grow. They are impressive fish, and I understand they are peaceful.
My tusk is very timid, even though he looks like a tough guy. I can't imagine a tusk bothering a broomtail, not sure about the other way around...
Take a look at this link:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cheilinus.htm
You might consider a hogfish, there are several colorful species that stay fairly reasoable sized. I had one a long time ago and really liked its personality and behaviors.
My tusk is very timid, even though he looks like a tough guy. I can't imagine a tusk bothering a broomtail, not sure about the other way around...
Take a look at this link:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cheilinus.htm
You might consider a hogfish, there are several colorful species that stay fairly reasoable sized. I had one a long time ago and really liked its personality and behaviors.
So hear is my long list for the 250 gallon. I will shrink it from here.....this is just the large list of fish I am considering...
Dwarf Agnels
1. Flame Angel
2. Lemonpeel Angel
3. Bicolor Angel
I have read of people having a harem of flame's I would love to replicate that in my tank...though I love the look of lemonpeels.
Large Angels
1. Imperator Angel
2. Blueface Angel
3. Queen Angel
Now these larger angels are potential "showpiece" fish. To be honest I do not know enough about them to be completely confident. I have heard they are very aggressive with one another but I have also seen many pictures of beautiful angelfish tanks with many large angels in it. I for sure want at least one of these fish in my 250 gallon though.
Wrasse
1. Cuban hogfish
2. Lunare Wrasse
3. Coris Wrasse
4. H. Tusk
I really like the Lunare Wrasse, the fact that it is bold and brings such interesting colors really makes me think this fish can be a part of my 250 gallon. I also like the contrast of yellow/red of the cuban hogfish. Though I am surprised that I cannot find a lot of information on them.
Puffers.
1. Stars and stripes
2. Porky
3. Dogface
4. Map Puffer
5. Golden Puffer
Ah my lovely puffers, I am selecting one from the category. Probably will be based on personality at a local LFS. So more that likey I will bring home a porcupine puffer from my lfs. Though all are in the running, just remember I want one and only one from this group.
Triggers
1. Undy(lol just kidding no undy)
1. Pink Tail trigger
2. Blue Throat
3. Hawaiian Black Trigger(Durgon)
4. Huma Huma
I love triggers they are my favorite of all marine fish. My golden heart trigger I have now is just a joy to keep. I am very aware that the one thing you can count with these guys its there ability to be unpredicable. I really like Durgons though, just the beautiful accents around the face is awesome.
Scorps
1. Volitans
This is a maybe fish, the 250 gallon has a lot of room and I would love to see a volitan be able to strech out its finnage.
So what combination do you guys think would work from the above? Do you think I am missing something maybe a schooling fish? A hawkfish? anything?
Dwarf Agnels
1. Flame Angel
2. Lemonpeel Angel
3. Bicolor Angel
I have read of people having a harem of flame's I would love to replicate that in my tank...though I love the look of lemonpeels.
Large Angels
1. Imperator Angel
2. Blueface Angel
3. Queen Angel
Now these larger angels are potential "showpiece" fish. To be honest I do not know enough about them to be completely confident. I have heard they are very aggressive with one another but I have also seen many pictures of beautiful angelfish tanks with many large angels in it. I for sure want at least one of these fish in my 250 gallon though.
Wrasse
1. Cuban hogfish
2. Lunare Wrasse
3. Coris Wrasse
4. H. Tusk
I really like the Lunare Wrasse, the fact that it is bold and brings such interesting colors really makes me think this fish can be a part of my 250 gallon. I also like the contrast of yellow/red of the cuban hogfish. Though I am surprised that I cannot find a lot of information on them.
Puffers.
1. Stars and stripes
2. Porky
3. Dogface
4. Map Puffer
5. Golden Puffer
Ah my lovely puffers, I am selecting one from the category. Probably will be based on personality at a local LFS. So more that likey I will bring home a porcupine puffer from my lfs. Though all are in the running, just remember I want one and only one from this group.
Triggers
1. Undy(lol just kidding no undy)
1. Pink Tail trigger
2. Blue Throat
3. Hawaiian Black Trigger(Durgon)
4. Huma Huma
I love triggers they are my favorite of all marine fish. My golden heart trigger I have now is just a joy to keep. I am very aware that the one thing you can count with these guys its there ability to be unpredicable. I really like Durgons though, just the beautiful accents around the face is awesome.
Scorps
1. Volitans
This is a maybe fish, the 250 gallon has a lot of room and I would love to see a volitan be able to strech out its finnage.
So what combination do you guys think would work from the above? Do you think I am missing something maybe a schooling fish? A hawkfish? anything?
saltyESQ
New member
my suggestions:
careful combining triggers with volitans...triggers (esp humus) like to nip at the fins until nothing is left, leaving the lion stressed and often dead. i would stick with a more mellow trigger so if you have a passive angel or passive butterfly at some point, you will have options.
i'd go with 2-3 angels (1-2 dwarf, 1 med (like a regal or flagfin) and 1 show that you get small who can grow -- add this last since large angels tend to be the most aggressive and territorial).
i'd avoid tangs who can be ich magnets and big swimmers if you don't have perfect water parameters (which is a challenge in a fowlr)
i love puffers. i have 3 -- golden, stars n strips and blue spotted. i'd definitely get one small (like a blue spot or valentini) and a larger one. big puffers = no small fish so watch what you buy.
for schooling fish: i'm not a fan of anthias, but i do like bannerfish and you can get 3 of those. try to find the ones with the longer streamers.
every fish has its own individual personality and always good to see how it interacts with tankmates as a good predictor of how it will behave at home.
careful combining triggers with volitans...triggers (esp humus) like to nip at the fins until nothing is left, leaving the lion stressed and often dead. i would stick with a more mellow trigger so if you have a passive angel or passive butterfly at some point, you will have options.
i'd go with 2-3 angels (1-2 dwarf, 1 med (like a regal or flagfin) and 1 show that you get small who can grow -- add this last since large angels tend to be the most aggressive and territorial).
i'd avoid tangs who can be ich magnets and big swimmers if you don't have perfect water parameters (which is a challenge in a fowlr)
i love puffers. i have 3 -- golden, stars n strips and blue spotted. i'd definitely get one small (like a blue spot or valentini) and a larger one. big puffers = no small fish so watch what you buy.
for schooling fish: i'm not a fan of anthias, but i do like bannerfish and you can get 3 of those. try to find the ones with the longer streamers.
every fish has its own individual personality and always good to see how it interacts with tankmates as a good predictor of how it will behave at home.
I am not into Tangs at all for some reason. They just don't do much for me. What kind of large angels are best for angel beginners? Also I am under the impression that the Durgon, Bluethroat, and pink tail are mellow triggers in comparison to say Queens, Titans, and Golden Hearts.....but are even the mellow triggers to much for Large angels to thrive?
Anyone else have any suggestions?
Anyone else have any suggestions?
Go w/a red sea theme.
1- regal angel
1- sohal tang* (smallest one you can find, they're mean)
1- purple tang
1- redsea sailfin tang
1- asfur angel
3- semilarvatus butterflies
or a hawaiian theme
1- bandit angel
1- potter's angel
4- flame wrasses
1- moorish idol
1- humu trigger
1- tinkers butterfly
2- male/female Genicanthus personatus(if you're a millionaire)
1- bluelined butterfly
1- regal angel
1- sohal tang* (smallest one you can find, they're mean)
1- purple tang
1- redsea sailfin tang
1- asfur angel
3- semilarvatus butterflies
or a hawaiian theme
1- bandit angel
1- potter's angel
4- flame wrasses
1- moorish idol
1- humu trigger
1- tinkers butterfly
2- male/female Genicanthus personatus(if you're a millionaire)
1- bluelined butterfly
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