new 230 build: reality check?

[Dinnin]

It's a 60x30x30 I've inherited in a trade. It has thrown me for a bit of a loop, as I was originally building a large sump system and fish room with the idea of having a peaceful community tank in my 75. I am now having visions of larger, more I'll tempered things swimming in this glass bathtub.

I also believe my ideas may be bigger than my reality.

I have been considering getting another niger trigger, as "Bob the builder" was a big hit in my old tank years ago ( he would stack small rocks up, thus the name. The thing would also play fetch with a rock, and carry algae wafers around like a bone.). I love trigger fish, so another less evil (no undulates or humas) would be on my list.

Any of the tang family is interesting. I think, if my rock work island plan is succesful, they would have sufficient swimming space. I love the powder blue and chocolate both. No interest in the yellows.

Grouper - I absolutely adore the miniatus grouper. I also know they become large hoover vacumn cleaners in the wild, I had the misfortune of getting between a 100+# black grouper and dinner on a dive one night. That hurt like the blazes! Any chance of him existing happily in this setup?

I really want A big angel ( don't need multiples unless it's just a wonderful idea...which , if I remember right, it's not! ). I have had the pleasure of filming one of the largest emperors ever seen in the gulf, and have interacted with most of the larger species. I think the emperor may get to aggressive to quickly, even with the tank size.... what about a queen?

Other suggestions are welcome. I have some time, stocking won't begin for a year or so.

 

[slay]

Since it's only a five foot tank, I'd personally choose somewhat smaller fish than you may be thinking.

A five foot tank, even at 220g, is way too small for say a Queen Trigger. They are aggressive, grow quite large and need lots of swimming room. The Miniatus Grouper might be doable, but still, a pretty large fish for that tank. IMO a Powder Blue/Brown is a decent fit (I'd prefer 6' tank length tho) if introduced before the more aggressive tank mates (but only one of the two, they'll likely be aggressive towards each other in a five foot tank).

I really think it's too bad it's not a 7' 220g,

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with Slay, why not look at the Regal angel?

I'd like to see your video of that large Emperor in the Gulf.

 

[Dinnin]

I will see if I can find it, we saw a large tile fish the same day.

That rig is unfortunately no longer standing thanks to the destruction that idle iron wrought in the gulf, but it was one of the most beautiful and vibrant reefs I've ever seen.

The regal would be a possibility, not quite the look in would like but definitely a pretty fish. I have no interest in the queen trigger, really the only ones I was considering was the niger or picasso.

The dimensions where bot my choosing...but considering I traded 2 snakes unpaid 65$ for, for both the stand and tank, I can't pass it up.

 

[slay]

Sorry, I thought you meant a queen trigger when you meant a queen angel. But the same really goes for queen angels - they grow to be giants. If you want a Pomacanthus angel how about a Majestic Angelfish? They are gorgeous and are among the smaller members of the genus and not particularly aggressive. Probably a little easier to care for than a Regal too.

 

[Dinnin]

I'm not by any means set on one fish, I was just throwing some ideas out, and was hoping for suggestions.... and dear lord that fish is GORGEOUS! ! I think I like that better than the queen truth be told! Thank you!

So that, a powder tang, and maybe a niger trigger? What about adding a piccaso into that mix? Or another large (ish) fish to add in, or maybe some smaller tankmates!

 

[Dinnin]

Little bit of research later ( actually I've been reading everything I can find on fish being mentioned today lol)...what about a sargassum trigger in the mix? Supposedly plays well with others, a different shape and look as well. Maybe the angel, a niger, a sargassum and a tang of some type? Possibility of adding a couple of bangai (sp?)cardinals and some chronis with them,

 

[Dinnin]

Maybe even a cross hatch or pink tail?

 

[slay]

The Sargassum trigger would probably be the best fit in the long run, but IME all triggers have the potential to be quite aggressive as they grow large. They may leave Banggais alone, or they may go after them.

As for a school of chromis, what typically happens in my experience is that the school will dwindle in numbers with the least dominant fish going first until you are left with just the dominant chromis. And that's not even taking the potential aggression of the larger tank mates into consideration.

 

[BigBlueTang]

Maybe even a cross hatch or pink tail?

Best option for a trigger is a Xhatch... Gorgeous and probably the friendliest out of triggers...

 

[Dinnin]

The chromis school I had before actually stayed together well, but I guess it's very hit and iss.

BBT I was actually just looking at those! They are beautiful, and are definitely on my list of possibilites.

Are any of the larger wrasses likely to do well?

 

[slay]

I love Green Bird Wrasses - smartest fish I've ever owned. They can handle their own against similar sized triggers and angels no problem (they grow to about 10"). Another option would be a Harlequin Tusk.

 

[Dinnin]

It would be one or the other on those correct, as they're both wrasses? They're both quite beautiful. I think I would lean more towards the tusk for color variation, but the bird is a unique shape.

 

[slay]

They aren't closely related nor do they resemble each other at all, so they shouldn't have a problem with each other. Both are tough enough to hold their own among the fish we've been talking about without being particularly aggressive fish.

A Harlequin Tusk will eat through your clean up crew unfortunately, they eat snails and other invertebrates. If you do get one, I suggest an Australian one - they are in most people's opinions are better looking, and tend to be somewhat hardier/easier to acclimate.

 

[Dinnin]

Thank y'all so much, I think I have a list of tank/species compatibles to start planning towards.

I'm planning to have about 300 gallons of sump and refugium, and a rather large skimmer ( debating on style and model atm), in a remote setup in the garage, which is what I'm working towards completing now. I don't expect to be stocking for 6 months or more.

 

[Dinnin]

When y'all get tired of me, tell me to hush. Just chit chatting and planning going forward, I'm almost enjoying the build as much as the completed tank, though I'm not looking forward to getting the display inside!

The rule is generally 1in to 4 gallons correct? That should give me ~60 inches MAX to play with.

The majestic, xhatch, pblue, bird wrasse and harlequin all get about 10" according to the information I've found.

I realize that's a pretty aggressive mix, but all are similarly sized, very dissimilar shapes, and from what y'all have said are about an even temperament. Would this work in y'alls opinion, or am I setting myself up for disaster? I really am open to criticism and input, I don't always listen well, but in wouldn't have come here without wanting feedback I promise

 

[BigBlueTang]

Cross hatches are my favorite. I wouldn't get a pair, usually you get two males... Most of the fish you have listed would be fine in a 230... You're pretty understocked in my opinion, with only six fish in a 230 gallon. Naturally I'd guess you wouldn't be buying show size 10" fish... You have room for a lot more. Just my opinion, I may be completely wrong. Never kept any of these fish, anyone else, feel free to bash me if I'm wrong!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dinnin]

Hmmm I guess I will keep looking some then! I figured I was pushing awfully close, guess I was a bit cautious.

I had a sailfin tang at one point....any chance for that one again?