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[FishAddiction84]

Advice on Predators

Advice on Predators

Hello, hope I picked the correct thread! I am looking for some advice on stocking my newly cycled predator tank.

Setup:
55g glass
Crused Coral Substrate
Fake Coral Deco
Fluval 305 canister filter w/ Tom surface skimmer and DIY spray bar - 1 tray prefilter rings, 1 tray fluval bio rings, 1 tray Kent Nitrate Sponge (plan to swap in carbon, or phos sponge if needed)
Undertow Undergravel Filter with 4 110gph pwr heads (pointed up making nice surface agitation)
Coral Life Super Skimmer 65g - setup HOB
Standard Aquarium Light Fixtures w/ Coral Life 50/50 bulbs

I did a fishless cycle with the ammonia from Ace hardware, took almost 6 weeks. Nitrite seemed to hang around for what felt like forever! Once I was registering no ammonia or nitrite within 24 hours of adding my 4ppm ammonia, I executed sizable water changes to bring nitrates down, which are now around 5-10 according to API's test kit. Still have had to bump PH with a buffer to get around 8.2.

Once all this was done and I was happy with it I trapped my Snowflake Eel, he's around 11 in. and put him in (after acclimation of course). I then purchased a Dwarf Zebra Lion from Reefs2GO and put him in. Both seem happy and doing just fine so I think its going well, but I don't really know where to go from here! I have a very small Humu Humu in my reef now(newbie purchase at LFS who told me he would be fine in my reef) that I was planning on putting in there because he is demolishing my CUC. This I now know to be a horrible idea from reading I've done on here about lions and triggers! So I'm not sure what to do with him at this point, trade-in most likely.

Here are some species I have been considering:
Honey Comb Puffer
Valentini Puffer
Bi-Color Dwarf Angel
Eibli Angel
Longnose Hawkfish
Any Butterflies
I would love to have an Angler, particularly a Wartskin Angler, which I'm almost certain is out of the question! It is isn't it!?

I figure I will be able to have about 4-5 fish in that tank depending on size and type. So, I need to pick 2-3 more that are compatible. As I learn more I also seek to be more responsible and plan towards long term successful housing of my fish. I welcome any advice on stock quantity, species suggestions (even ones that I didn't mention), or anything else regarding the setup!

Sorry for the long blah blah blah, but I wanted to give the full story!

Thanks in advance,
Eric

 

[snorvich]

Hello, hope I picked the correct thread! I am looking for some advice on stocking my newly cycled predator tank.

Setup:
55g glass
Crused Coral Substrate
Fake Coral Deco
Fluval 305 canister filter w/ Tom surface skimmer and DIY spray bar - 1 tray prefilter rings, 1 tray fluval bio rings, 1 tray Kent Nitrate Sponge (plan to swap in carbon, or phos sponge if needed)
Undertow Undergravel Filter with 4 110gph pwr heads (pointed up making nice surface agitation)
Coral Life Super Skimmer 65g - setup HOB
Standard Aquarium Light Fixtures w/ Coral Life 50/50 bulbs

I did a fishless cycle with the ammonia from Ace hardware, took almost 6 weeks. Nitrite seemed to hang around for what felt like forever! Once I was registering no ammonia or nitrite within 24 hours of adding my 4ppm ammonia, I executed sizable water changes to bring nitrates down, which are now around 5-10 according to API's test kit. Still have had to bump PH with a buffer to get around 8.2.

Once all this was done and I was happy with it I trapped my Snowflake Eel, he's around 11 in. and put him in (after acclimation of course). I then purchased a Dwarf Zebra Lion from Reefs2GO and put him in. Both seem happy and doing just fine so I think its going well, but I don't really know where to go from here! I have a very small Humu Humu in my reef now(newbie purchase at LFS who told me he would be fine in my reef) that I was planning on putting in there because he is demolishing my CUC. This I now know to be a horrible idea from reading I've done on here about lions and triggers! So I'm not sure what to do with him at this point, trade-in most likely.

Here are some species I have been considering:
Honey Comb Puffer
Valentini Puffer
Bi-Color Dwarf Angel
Eibli Angel
Longnose Hawkfish
Any Butterflies
I would love to have an Angler, particularly a Wartskin Angler, which I'm almost certain is out of the question! It is isn't it!?

I figure I will be able to have about 4-5 fish in that tank depending on size and type. So, I need to pick 2-3 more that are compatible. As I learn more I also seek to be more responsible and plan towards long term successful housing of my fish. I welcome any advice on stock quantity, species suggestions (even ones that I didn't mention), or anything else regarding the setup!

Sorry for the long blah blah blah, but I wanted to give the full story!

Thanks in advance,
Eric

Sorry, but I do not give advice on predator tanks. Best advice can be obtained here.

 

[FishAddiction84]

Wrong Post

Wrong Post

Sorry to post in the wrong area! I'm pretty much new to forums altogether. Thanks for steering me in the right direction Snorvich!

 

[Holyhands22]

I have a 30 gal. Basic fluorescent bulb. In about a week or so will have 35 lbs of live rock. Thinking about upgrading the lighting system any suggestions would be awesome. I want to get a black onyx true percula clownfish with anemones. Also want to get some fairy wrasse and purple fire fish goby. also interested in mushrooms/polyps am I shorting for to much in this size tank. Oh yeah I already have a Royal Starfish. He's about 5-6 inches. I have 20 lbs of live sand will be getting another 20 when I get the live rock.

 

[snorvich]

Sorry to post in the wrong area! I'm pretty much new to forums altogether. Thanks for steering me in the right direction Snorvich!

No problem and Welcome to Reef Central!!

 

[snorvich]

I have a 30 gal. Basic fluorescent bulb. In about a week or so will have 35 lbs of live rock. Thinking about upgrading the lighting system any suggestions would be awesome.

Yes, for an anemone you will have to upgrade your lights, best information in our equipment forum which can be found here.

I want to get a black onyx true percula clownfish with anemones. Also want to get some fairy wrasse and purple fire fish goby.

firefish would be fine, and should be introduced first, but remember they can jump so the tank must be covered. Fairy wrasses really need a larger tank and they too jump.

also interested in mushrooms/polyps am I shorting for to much in this size tank. Oh yeah I already have a Royal Starfish. He's about 5-6 inches. I have 20 lbs of live sand will be getting another 20 when I get the live rock.

Unfortunately your starfish will starve to death in that sized tank

 

[Merrell056]

first, thanks for running a thread like this. It helps us noobies out a lot.

Second, i have a 40 breeder I'm setting up and it will be my first salt tank. I will definitely be adding a watchman goby and pistol shrimp but I would also like to add a jawfish. I've read that while jawfish are very territorial this kind of arrangement can be done with proper aquascaping and making sure they all have enough tunneling space.

What is your opinion on this?

I would also like to add 2 clowns. Would that be too much for this size? Can I add more?

 

[BabyGirl143]

Hello,
I have a 26 gallon bowfront it has been cycling for a little over a week. My LFS told me to put a few damsels in while its cycling so i did and i have noticed that the larger spotted damsels is constantly chasing the smaller blue with yellow tail damsel. I have found a new LFS that only deals in reef tanks and he recommended your site. He also said i will have issues with these damsel and that they may kill other fish. The blue one seems pretty easy going but the other is very aggressive. I plan on putting clowns in here and a few other small fish not sure exactly what i want yet. I am considering a dragonet as they are very colorful and neat looking. Should i remove the aggresive damsel before i start adding fish. I also need to know what i can add to get the hair algae under control. I will be adding soft corals to the tank when it is ready. Thanks

 

[Ryand63]

29 gallon standard. 25 lbs LR 40 lbs LS. No corals. Already have 1 mishap clown. Would like to add. Bangaii cardinal, blue chromie, flame angel. Is this acceptable and could I add the bangaii before the chromie?

 

[snorvich]

first, thanks for running a thread like this. It helps us noobies out a lot.

Second, i have a 40 breeder I'm setting up and it will be my first salt tank. I will definitely be adding a watchman goby and pistol shrimp but I would also like to add a jawfish. I've read that while jawfish are very territorial this kind of arrangement can be done with proper aquascaping and making sure they all have enough tunneling space.

What is your opinion on this?

I would also like to add 2 clowns. Would that be too much for this size? Can I add more?

You should be able to do both. Add the jawfish first, ideally make a pvc home for it. Your fish list is fine.

 

[snorvich]

Hello,
I have a 26 gallon bowfront it has been cycling for a little over a week. My LFS told me to put a few damsels in while its cycling so i did and i have noticed that the larger spotted damsels is constantly chasing the smaller blue with yellow tail damsel. I have found a new LFS that only deals in reef tanks and he recommended your site. He also said i will have issues with these damsel and that they may kill other fish. The blue one seems pretty easy going but the other is very aggressive. I plan on putting clowns in here and a few other small fish not sure exactly what i want yet. I am considering a dragonet as they are very colorful and neat looking. Should i remove the aggresive damsel before i start adding fish. I also need to know what i can add to get the hair algae under control. I will be adding soft corals to the tank when it is ready. Thanks

The first LFS is either incompetent or is selling just to sell and is not reliable from an information perspective. Take out the damsels, return them to the original LFS and tell them unless they issue credit for them, you will never purchase from them again. To cycle, place a single table shrimp in panty hose (or equivalent) and use the ammonia from degradation to cycle. Cheap, easy, and no ongoing problem from fish that should never have been purchased. A dragonet is a low success fish in your sized tank without a LOT of extra effort.

 

[snorvich]

29 gallon standard. 25 lbs LR 40 lbs LS. No corals. Already have 1 mishap clown. Would like to add. Bangaii cardinal, blue chromie, flame angel. Is this acceptable and could I add the bangaii before the chromie?

The fish list is fine, no preference on order but I would add the most aggressive last (chromis) just as a general guideline.

 

[Holyhands22]

im considering getting either a 75 or 125 gal tank in the next month or so i just need the starfish to survive until then in this size tank. thanks for the light link.

 

[MoonPie88]

Hello,

Here is my fish - wishlist for 30gal:

2x Tomato Clownfish or Pink Skunk Clownfish
2x Two Spot Goby
2x Green Mandarin

optional:
Six Line Wrasse
Flame Angel
Tail Spot Blenny / Bicolor Blenny

 

[snorvich]

Hello,

Here is my fish - wishlist for 30gal:

2x Tomato Clownfish or Pink Skunk Clownfish These fish will own this sized tank once sexually mature and will preclude other fish due to their aggressive nature
2x Two Spot Goby difficult, impossible in this sized tank
2x Green Mandarin difficult, improbable success in this sized tank

optional:
Six Line Wrasse very aggressive
Flame Angel
Tail Spot Blenny / Bicolor Blenny

 

[Merrell056]

You should be able to do both. Add the jawfish first, ideally make a pvc home for it. Your fish list is fine.

Thanks snorvich!

Do you think I could add more? Maybe something that swims in the middle of the water? From what I've seen clowns (as my only real swimmers) kind of stay in one place.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks snorvich!

Do you think I could add more? Maybe something that swims in the middle of the water? From what I've seen clowns (as my only real swimmers) kind of stay in one place.

Depending on the species of clownfish, once sexually mature and start mating, they will want to "own" 25-50 gallons of tank space and become aggressive towards others in that space.

 

[MoonPie88]

Thanks snorvich

Here is my fish - wishlist for 30gal:

2x Tomato Clownfish or Pink Skunk Clownfish These fish will own this sized tank once sexually mature and will preclude other fish due to their aggressive nature
Switch them to 2x true percula?
2x Two Spot Goby difficult, impossible in this sized tank
They are too small for 30gal? Even german sites say about 150litre minimum?
Are there other gobys for the ground which fit in 30gal? Perhaps watchman goby + pistol shrimp?
2x Green Mandarin difficult, improbable success in this sized tank
Heard that most of them accept frozen food and they don't move very much?

optional:
Six Line Wrasse very aggressive
Are there less aggressive Wrasse which fit in 30gal?
Flame Angel
Too big for 30gal?
Tail Spot Blenny / Bicolor Blenny
?

 

[Merrell056]

Depending on the species of clownfish, once sexually mature and start mating, they will want to "own" 25-50 gallons of tank space and become aggressive towards others in that space.

Thanks again. I'll leave it at the 4 I'm planning on then till I upgrade.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks snorvich

Please do not use colors to ask questions, I cannot easily see them. Thanks. That means that your yellow colored questions were not answered because they are invisible to me.