Ric and Zoa tank?

[cweber]

I have a 125g tank that Im thinking about changing schemes on. Its a standard 6' tank and I have a 6 bulb 48" T5 fixture over it. I would like to go with rics and zoas and two or three leathers. The only fish are a blue tang and volitan lion. Would this be a pretty simple to maintain system? Basically meaning water changes only to maintain levels. I wouldnt think it would take much calc and alk to support and should be more than enough light. Opinions?

 

[UnusualSuspect]

Wow, no replies. I'm thinking about converting my 90gal freshwater to a ric & zoa tank, and was hoping somebody would've chimed in on this thread.

 

[jimmy frag]

ric/zoas

ric/zoas

just got a 24x24x24 and have an HQI pendent 250w. am going to do the same. all zoas and rics. have not decided on the fish yet. has any one had luck schooling purple fire gobies.

 

[cubsFAN]

I plan to switch from a sps,lps,softy mixed reef to a ric/zoa tank with a few LPS. I'm sure you won't have a problem, but I would guess the tank will change appearance from time to time as some zoas and Rics overrun one another. Keeping them separate on different "islands" will probably help you maintain your diversity. My first tanks were softy tanks that were very easy to maintain using just water changes. I'm tired of all the additions. It's pricey and I have to test my water all the time which is even more cash. I'm looking to go back to the easy life and I'm selling off my sps now. Those are pretty big fish in that system and I expect they will create a lot of waste which shouldn't be a major problem in a softy tank. The tang will eventually have to move into a bigger tank as the years go on. You will have more than enough light for that set up, and I have found my 36in 6x39w bulbs over my 48in 75 is good for my sps, but my lower light corals suffer. You might want to use extra actinic bulbs that don't put out too much par or keep your lights high to acclimate the lower light corals.

 

[cubsFAN]

just got a 24x24x24 and have an HQI pendent 250w. am going to do the same. all zoas and rics. have not decided on the fish yet. has any one had luck schooling purple fire gobies.

From what I have read, fire fish do best as established pairs or as individuals. They are also jumpers. A search should yield some valuable info.

 

[cubsFAN]

You should also have some good low light areas on the outside of the light fixture.

 

[cweber]

Replies!!! I almost forgot about my thread. I wanted to get rid of the lion but my wife said no. I would like to keep a couple LPS also, but wanting this to be low maintenance. I have recently been doing 40 gallon water changes every two weeks, but now I need to order another bo of salt.

 

[cweber]

For anyone who has ordered a ric pack, is the variety pretty good? It seems like for the most part there are the main few color forms with just slight changes. Just considering this as an option.

 

[Jedidad]

i can't believe you would be considering getting rid of the lion considering all the work yo put in getting it to eat when you first got it. that setup should be good. i am getting to where i like zoanthids as much or more than any other coral. there is so much variety to be found.

 

[Rudolph]

I have a lot of zoas and rics between my two tanks (75 and 28 cube). I would not opt for a ric pac unless you know what you want and what you are getting. The price looks tempting, but you will most likely get the plain ones. I am not sure if I can mention where I got my most recent ones, but they were fantastic and not your plain colors. If you PM me I will be glad to share (unless that is not allowed). They have great pics to show you what you are getting. Other sites are hard to tell what they look like as the pics are so crappy. If I cannot share then puruse the site on the web until you can see good pics and find out what you want. Also check out the RC sponsor sites. I personnally like the ones with orange with blue trim or yellows. Anything with orange really pops under actinic.

There are so many zoa with different colors and sizes so they are great as well.

The good news is when they multiply you will find they are easy to sell/trade because there is a big fan base for these two corals.

Your lights sounds adequate to me, just make sure they are quality bulbs. Of course that is a whole other topic.

40 gallons every two weeks sounds like a lot? I do about 15% which would be 20 gallons on your tank. Of course I have a low fish load.............

 

[cweber]

Jedidad, it was much easier to care for the lion when it had its own tank. I find it kinda difficult to work in the tank sometimes not always being able to watch it. We have kinda decided to keep it. Do you want it?

 

[Rudolph]

you PM'd me for some pics.....here is the middle of my 28...the prettier ones are in the front...the pics are blurred so need to take some more..anyway here are some of my first ones..

 

[Rudolph]

these are really too blured to appreciate....but for now

 

[Rudolph]

from my 75 g ...

 

[Rudolph]

 

[Rudolph]

just tried to take a top down pic and had to turn everything off....of course the corals closed up a bit...oh well

 

[Rudolph]

ok last one...I promise to get better at this...

 

[jeff@zina.com]

For anyone who has ordered a ric pack, is the variety pretty good?

Depends on the vendor probably, but not really a lot of variety in my experience. You get better variety picking them out yourself, but they're cheaper in a pack. I have one LFS with reasonable variety that wants $25 a head. The pack, with shipping, was like $15 a head. For me, the best variety has been at frag swaps. Better pricing too, though the only major issues I get with corals are all from frag swaps.

Jeff

 

[cweber]

Nice pics. Thats what im goin for.

 

[Rudolph]

Jeff: I lived in Naples for 18 years and am visiting my kids there in May. I don't remember any LFS selling corals back when I was there about five years ago. Is that the one on Davis Rd? Is he now selling corals? I only wanted to know as I might drop in while visiting...Kerry