40G Mixed Reef and 125G FOWLR Help

[Walthall89]

Hey guys!
Brand new to this forum. So hi! I am wanting to get some advice, tips, and gain more knowledge about my current and future tank.

What I Have"¦
40G Breeder Mixed reef tank.
HOB filter for a 100G tank.
LED lights which I found out were not meant for corals even though it says it is. Found that out once I lost $150 in coral frags.

Livestock In Tank
All Fish and Inverts are under 2" in length.
Valentini Puffer (He will be sold in about 2 months)
Mandarin Dragonette (I dont need advice on this fish. Not to be rude but Ive seen how brutal these convos can be and Im 100% certain I know what you will tell me. We are good. She eats copepods which I grow and harvest, as well as frozen brine shrimp, and a jello like food substance which I forgot the name of.)
Cherub Angel
Longspined Urchin
Cowrie
A pair of Sexy Shrimp
A pair of Snowflake Clowns
A pair of Bumblebee snails
A pair of Nassarius Snails
1 Hammer will 2 heads
1 Duncan with 3 heads

What I Want
Fully functioning Reef Tank with Fast Growing Corals.
A clam would be legit.

What I Am Thinking I Should Buy
Skimmer
OceanRevive Lights

My Question
What is the best brand of Skimmer?
Are the OceanRevive lights worth their price? Are they the best option for my tank? Would they also work on a larger tank? Of say 150 Gallons?
How do you decide where to place Powerheads? I had a problem with none of the corals liking anything higher than indirect flow of enough power to keep their tentacles from drooping.

I also have a second part to my questions.

My boyfriend and I are wanting to set up either a 125 gallon long tank or a 150 gallon square tank. It will be a FOWLR aggressive tank with the following fish:
Porcupine Puffer
Humu Trigger
Zebra Eel
Voltian Lionfish
An Angelfish
A Butterfly Fish

Do we need a skimmer for this tank? Even if it is barebottom? I was thinking a Powerfilter (or 2) that are rated for 200 Gallons+.

Can all of these fish live together without issue?


Thanks All In Advance!!!

 

[Temeraire]

Be careful, that's a rather aggressive triggerfish. If you're dead-set on getting one, add him in last.

 

[Entacmaea]

Hey there - is the livestock you listed in the 40G or the 100G - just a little unclear from your post. If you want fast growing corals (LPS corals which is what you have), then spot feeding them will help, as will keeping calcium and alkalinity levels stable - are you dosing anything?

Regarding your 150 FOWLR, these fish will be messy eaters - so I would definitely advocate for a skimmer for this system, and really any system. People certainly go without skimmer and have success, but most do use them because they are a major nutrient export method that works.

 

[Walthall89]

Hey!
Thanks for the replies.

The Trigger is def. a fish I want to get so I will make sure to add him last if he is going to be a butt.

Entacmaea -
The first list with the Dragonette is what I have in my 40G. The list with the Eel will be in the larger tank.
Would a Skimmer be needed if the excess food was removed from the tank?

 

[Entacmaea]

Hey there, yes - a skimmer couldn't hurt, even on the 40G. I don't know what live food breeding system you have in place for the Mandarin or if it is connected to your system, so skimming could effect that - not sure. You are lucky if you have trained your Mandarin on prepared foods, congrats - as I'm sure you know, a 40G is normally woefully inadequate for this fish and may still prove risky for its long term health. I would definitely do a skimmer on your FOWLR - just an extra safety margin and will likely decrease your need for water changes. Also, be aware that the Zebra Moray gets very large, and will outgrow a 125 or 150. Unless you have a plan to upgrade to a truly monster tank or are ok gifting away the eel when it gets too large, I would avoid it. Keeping a 5 foot eel in a 6 foot tank, or worse a ~3' 150G square would be borderline cruel...

 

[Walthall89]

Yeah, She is on frozen brine and a gummy like food (i forgot the name). I also am breeding copepods and amphipods for her as extra. I also dump in a bag of 1,000 copepods in to my DT every 3 months or so. LFS said I would kill her in 2 months because they wanted me to take a Target Dragonette instead. Shes going on 6 months right now and is active and healthy.

I am okay with trade ins, as I cant afford to have such a large tank atm, nor will my apartment allow it. Im trying to keep from getting a 120-150g tank for corals too.

 

[Entacmaea]

Hey that's great - sounds like you beat the curve and are taking fantastic care of her.

 

[dgbandog]

dope