Fishless reef tanks???

[pex]

I will be setting up my new system soon, and I am considering going fishless, also known as fallow. I wanted to see what kind of input others may have. I'm not big on fish, and the ones that I do like are not reef safe. It will allow me to keep fish bourne illness and pathogens from the system, as well as allow for virtually no detris. This will aid in keeping a low nutrient system. There obviously will not be fish poop to feed the corals, but with proper feeding for them and AA dosing I should be able to compensate adequately. It should also allow for me to use almost no clean-up crew. I hate cleanup critters because they disturb corals. With proper flow placement any extra coral food in the tank will be suspended and removed for filtration. Am I missing anything important here??? Does anyone else have a set-up like this, and if so what are your experiences? Any input would be great.

 

[nalbar]

I think you are doing the right thing.

While I nave never gone completely without fish, my tank has never had more than four.

Breeding pair of Oc. clowns
diamond goby
wrasse


in a 100g system.

While going without fish won't allow for poop, I consider that the least important factor, because in order to create enough poop to feed corals in any amount, you would also have to introduce amounts of phosphate with the food. It's not a great trade off.

The one great advantage of going without is that you can go slow if you do decide later to add a fish or two, in the meantime your system has stabilized. Too many here add a lot of fish within a couple of months, and that is not enough time for a system. It also allows you to avoid 'fish conflicts'.

Going without is just a variety of patience.


nalbar

 

[JLopez]

nalbar is quite right. i tried this out for a while with my 20 gallon. once it was completely stocked with corals there was nothing left to do. i had literally every inch of rock covered, no visible rock. so then i got a bit bored and started adding fish. i now have 7 fish in that little tank and they'r all doinf great. also, my tank looks amazing now that it has fish swimming through a really nice reef that had time to establish itself and grow lots of coraline.

 

[fuschia_red]

going fallow is okay I guess. But for some reason, a reef tank just doesn't feel complete without at least 1 or 2 reef-safe fish inhabiting it. I agree however that your bioload will be nil and your tank parameters will always be safe but you'll get bored of staring at things that don't really move around on their own.

 

[reefergeorge]

If you have a large enough tank for even a pair of clowns do it. I am fishless in my nc, and feel like something is missing. I just think 12 gallons is too small for any fish.
People are always asking were the fish are, and why do I have a tank set up just for corals?

 

[fuschia_red]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12624201#post12624201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefergeorge
If you have a large enough tank for even a pair of clowns do it. I am fishless in my nc, and feel like something is missing. I just think 12 gallons is too small for any fish.
People are always asking were the fish are, and why do I have a tank set up just for corals?

george,

Have to agree with you on that one. I'd say, let them ask away all they want about where all the fish is. 12 gallons is too small to keep fish in. You MIGHT be alright with a goby or a small ocellaris or even a tomato but other than that, I wouldn't care what other people say.

 

[tkeracer619]

There are a few fish that you cant keep in anything else than a 12 gallon and smaller or you would never see them.


I'm not a fan of fishless tanks. You can't interact with corals the same way. Plus I hated when everyone I knew always asked why there wasnt any fish (I did the fallow thing for ich and it worked great)

 

[pex]

I'm definetely not worried about what others think. The system is for my pleasure and if others like it great, and if they don't that is great too. I like the fact that it is easier to keep nutrient levels low, and that I don't need a clean-up crew. I like triggers, and while there are a few reef safe ones, I like to feed them live and do not want to be putting possibly diseased goldfish into a coral system that will be SPS dominated. I also like Lionfish and eels and am in the same spot with them. I will definetely start fallow, and if I get bored or feel it needs more I can always add fish.

 

[fuschia_red]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12628424#post12628424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pex
I'm definetely not worried about what others think. The system is for my pleasure and if others like it great, and if they don't that is great too. I like the fact that it is easier to keep nutrient levels low, and that I don't need a clean-up crew. I like triggers, and while there are a few reef safe ones, I like to feed them live and do not want to be putting possibly diseased goldfish into a coral system that will be SPS dominated. I also like Lionfish and eels and am in the same spot with them. I will definetely start fallow, and if I get bored or feel it needs more I can always add fish.

It's a smart move. Corals are the way to go.

 

[sjj80]

Do what you feel most comfortable with, it doesn't really matter what others think about a fishless reef tank, it's about what makes you happy. If later on down the road you feel like adding a fish or two you can always get small nano fish like gobies that won't really impact your bioload as much as bigger fish would.

 

[sunfish11]

It is your tank and you should do whatever you like. If you don't want to mess with fish then don't. I have read in a few places though that you should always have at least one fish in a coral tank because fish poop and enzymes are good for coral. Personally, I like the fish better than the coral because they add so much life and motion to an aquarium and are just beautiful. I can see the reason others might not like the hassle though. Good luck!

Lisa