new 75 gallon f/o

Fishyfreak031592

Fishyfreak031592

New member
well, i persuaded my dad out of a chiclid tank to a fowlr, and hes actually really into it now. It is a 75 gallon, and we want a couple pounds of lr and some sw plants. I have kept a reef tank now for about 2 years, so i am somewhat experienced with saltwater tanks.

Now, i am guessing that lighting doesnt matter with f/o, but if i had some plants, would simple pc lighting do the job?

I am pretty sure that we are going to get a wet/dry filter, so should we also get a protien skimmer with that also?

Now the big question: what kinds of fish should i get?! These were the fish that i was considering on getting, but im not going to get ALL of them, though, they are just ideas that i liked, and i would like your oppinion on which ones are good and which ones arent...

Yellow Longnose butterflyfish(?) or Copperband Butterfly(?)

Foxface

Porcupine Puffer (love em :) )

Yellow Tang or Purple Tang(?)

(either) Picasso, Niger, or Clown trigger (?)

Paddlefin Wrasse (would it get bullied around?)

Marine Betta (they always looked cool...)

Moorish Idol (?)

(either) Coral beauty, Flame, or Bicolor anglefish (?)

Regal Anglefish (would it have enough room 2 swim?)

Volitan Lionfish (again, enough room?)

Any imput will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Lucas
 
Ok, the good news: not ALL of the fish you listed will outgrow the tank size:

Copperband or Longnose: One of these could be kept in a 75 gallon. Although the longnose is hardier, I prefer the copperband. MAke sure you get one thats eating though, it'll make it easier on yourself. There are several threads on copperbands.

IMO, a foxface would fit in a 75 gallon, and they are also pretty hardy. Just be careful of their venomous spines.

Porcupine puffers can get big, too big for a 75 gallon. I wouldnt torture yourself by getting one only to have to give it away if you dont plan on upgrading to a bigger tank.

Yellow Tang or Purple tang, the only one that will fit in your 75 would be the yellow, and if you plan on keeping the docile butterfly Copperband, I wouldnt recommened this stress inducing fish.

unfortunately, all the triggers you listed will get too big for a 75 gallon tank. the only trigger that wouldnt get too big for that tank, would be an undulate, and it would have to be the only inhabitant, as they are very aggressive.

Im not sure of the paddlefin wrasse.

The marine betta could live in 75, just dont plan on keeping any ornamental invertabraes, as these guys love shrimp. However, they are a nice, docile fish. But can also be reclusive.

A definite no on the moorish idol. until you get more experience and a bigger tank, stay away from these. They have a very high mortality rate.

Any of those dwarf angels would work, but only one to a tank. I have an eiblii angel that i prefer over all three of those you listed. But its a matter of opinion.

The regal angel and volitan will get too big for a 75 gallon. If you have your heart set on a lionfish, a fu manchu, dwarf fuzzy, dwarf lion, or antennata would work, but dont plan on having smaller fish with them, theyll become an expensive snack.

I hope that helped! Good Luck!
Neil:)
 
fishyfreak,

here is what i'd go with from your list

Foxface
Purple and or yellow tang
flame angel... one of my favs

if you want a large wrasse go with a harequin tusk also some hogfish would be nice
radiata lion would be a nice addition
maybe a small eel, goldentail moray?
flame hawk?


i'm really into color on fish
 
Im planning on a camel back cowfish, but these can be difficult because of their ability to release toxins into the tank and kill everything in there. However, I plan to run carbon and be very careful. I like the camel backs because they seem to have all the personality of larger cowfishes, but get this, their maximum size is only 4"! So a minimum of 50 gallons is needed.

Emperior, I wouldnt put a purple tang in a 75 gallon. I think they need more room than that.

Fishyfreak, do you want peaceful, docile fish, or an aggressive tank with lions and eels and hawks, (do I even have to say it?).

OH MY!
 
For a 75 youre going to be somewhat limited.

from your list go with:
foxface or long nosed butterfly
flame or bicolor angel
yellow tang
niger trigger

The lions will get too big FAST. Same with the puffer....unless you start with a very small specimen. Purple tang swims too much and is way too territorial for a tank that small. I personally think most hogs, and a harlequin tusk should be out of the question for a 75. As with the paddlefin....the swim alot and almost ALL Thalassoma wrasses tend to be very belligerent.

Completely pass on the clown trigger, porcupine, copperband, paddlefin, lions, purple tang, moorish idol and regal angel.....Most of those fish either need a large tank or an established tank to do well.
 
I would stick to hardy colorful fish. Purple tangs are tough aggressive fish. I have had a Coral Beauty dwarf angel that has been thru tons of disease and beatings and just keeps on kicking for over 2 years now. You can read my fish list below, but I would definately not go with a difficult large angelfish if you are just starting. From your list I would go with a Purple Tang, Coral Beauty or Flame angel, and maybe a Picasso triggerfish, and then maybe a pair of Percula Clownfish and then that would be it. Hawkfish are cool fish too but you need to add them last, plus they would eat any inverts you might put in the tank. Whatever you do just make sure you add enough liverock and let it sit and "grow" for a few months before adding all your fish at once. Believe me, from experience, you dont wanna rush things and add everything too quickly nor do you want to overstock your tank. The fish will thankyou for it in the long run. So will your dads wallet! Also definately go with a skimmer, I started out with a AquaC remora and now have a AquaC Urchin in sump skimmer on my 75, they are reasonable and not complicated in setting up or maintaining.
 
If u really want a puffer you could go with a smaller Arothron species. Make sure when you buy him thats hes only 2-3". They typically dont grow too fast......good species for a 75 gallon ( for a while ) would be either common dogface, narrowlined, or a panda puffer. Panda bieng the most expensive. Definitely stay away from Gunieafowls, reticulated, stars and stripes, stellars and maps.....get way too big for a 75 and a pricey too.
 
I got a black tip in my bath tub, but he is about to outgrow it, who wants him?
FishyFReak I would go with Torno's original advice.
go to your LFS or an online company and look at the fish you like.
then do lots of research on your fish, I mean lots. different companies/people have different opinions on what can/cant be kept in what size tank. After you do some reading you will start .
to figure out what will work.
I would definitaly add a snowflake eel, a dwarf lion, perhaps a hawkfish, the marine betta, and if you still have room the foxface. that should balance yo out fairly well and still fit in your tank. just my .02
 
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