reef tank

[docjones]

I am setting up a 125g tank where I plan to have 3 pillars of rock like some people have. I want to house some low maintance coral (Hammer, Frog, Ric, Mushrooms, Zoo's) but I want to have "predator" fish. My goal would be a clown and Picasso trigger, lion, and puffer. Is this possible or is there something I am missing that would cause it not to work? Thanks.

 

[docjones]

Ok, further research and answered my own question. So no trigger unless its a Niger or a Blue Throat.

 

[Absint Reefer]

the problem with the more aggressive triggers and the puffers is that occationally they will just take a bite out of anything even rock or coral but I don't see why you could'nt do most soft coral they will just grow back after the first bite unless they taste good.

 

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11324242#post11324242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by docjones
Ok, further research and answered my own question. So no trigger unless its a Niger or a Blue Throat.

Or Sargassum, Crosshatch, Pinktail, etc. Pretty mush any planktonic feeding trigger would be considered reef safe.

 

[reefer334]

I would be more worried about the puffer they will instantly eat all of your corals.I would do a male Bluejaw for a triggeras they do fine in a reef.I have a niger and a titan in my reef the niger is fine but the titan is not working out.

 

[jda]

Even if the agressive fish won't eat your corals (and some certianly will), then they won't allow inverts to keep the tank cleaned up. Without snails, small fish and shrimp, then you could have a real hard time with aiptasia, algae and other bad critters.

Pinktail, niger and durgeon aren't really planktivores. They are sometimes reef safe, but usually will be more destructive as they grow. The X trigger are the only planktivores. Crosshatch, goldenback, sargassum, bluethroat, etc. are great choices.

 

[docjones]

Well I have thought of the cleaning crew and am working around that. I do plan to run two ASM G-2 to help matters. But, I thought must aggressive fish dont eat snails, I thought you could keep some types of snails and hermits?

 

[jda]

In even the cleanest of reef tanks, algae will still grow if there isn't something to eat it. Apitasia could be an issue too.

Mexican turbos are usually very resistant to agressive fish, but they are very clumsy in a reef tank and can knock corals around. They are great algae eaters though.

 

[docjones]

so is impossible to have coral and aggressive fish? I am planning on only Zoo's and hammer/frog? I am not into the acros or stuff like that. But I would like a eel, lion, trigger, tang (know he eats algae) and maybe a puffer. thanks for the help jda!

 

[jda]

No, it is not impossible, just know what is ahead of you.

Those fish should leave the coral alone (depending on which trigger that you pick). The puffer might eat it. Some of the larger puffers will destroy stuff. I had a gunea fowl once that could take a hammer/torch skeleton and turn it into reef grade sand in about 5 minutes. They need to eat/munch hard stuff to keep their ever growing teeth in shape. This puffer would also eat glass heaters, algae magnets, etc.

 

[docjones]

WOW, interesting I will just have to carefully choice my fish then.

 

[reefer334]

PUFERS WILL EAT ALL CORAL,as I stated above I gues you were not reading whay I wrote.I have plenty experiences with all of the above fish as I have 1100 gals of saltwater tanks.

 

[docjones]

dude I read what you wrote and I have ALSO read plenty of others state that their puffers did not eat corals. Plus some of the books that I read says that some puffers only eat hard coral and should leave soft corals alone. I am just trying to get a general consciences on the topic. And just because you have 1100gals doesnt mean you are the end all be all.

 

[reefer334]

The above is my oppinion not what is right or wrong.I have had several puffers and they all would eat any coral soft or hard in a tank.Sorry not trying to offend you just trying to help.

 

[docjones]

Now hard feelings, its cool. Im just trying to do the right thing, and not that you would or are, but some people try to tell you exactly what to do. So I am just trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks reefer, like I said no hard feelings and I enjoy your comments.

 

[docjones]

ok, so back to the drawing board. A friend recommend a Sohal tang, which is a interesting idea. so here is my list...

V. Lionfish
Sohal Tang
Zebra Moray Eel
Niger Trigger
Pink Tail Tigger

All in a 125g, to much?

 

[jda]

Have you studied the agressive nature of sohal tangs? They also require some water movement which the other inhabitants might not care for.

 

[docjones]

Yea they are aggressive, but so is the other fish are the not?? I figured as well as my friend that he would do fine with those types of fish. As far as water flow goes I was under the impression that all the fish I mentioned are ok with a moderate to high water flow, am I wrong on this? Thanks.

 

[gary faulkner]

Tangs love very high flow.

Didn't know about lower flow for the other fish, but yes I think that tangs love as much flow as you can throw at them.

HTH

 

[docjones]

I plan to have about a good amount of water flow, about 25x the tank volume. But I dont know what of the above fish would have a issue with that. The only one I could take a stab at would be the lion fish or maybe the eel??