Very new.. would like some advice

[dalejr31815]

Hi there!
i've always been expierenced with FW but SW is a complete new story to me.

I've got in mind for a 55/75g tank. I've been reading alot and some of the things i've read have really got me confused...

Do you need a sump? or no?
Is my combination so far ok: (1) true percula clownfish, (1) Blue Regal Tang, and possibly a Longnose Butterflyfish... i want to add maybe a couple more but i don't know if that should be enough??
(( if you have any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated!))

THANKS SO MUCH!
mesha

 

[seapug]

go with the 75. They are a great dimension for setting up a reef.

Sump is good. The bigger the better, and to go all out, make a partition in it for a lighted refugium.

I would not put a blue tang in a tank that size (gets way too big) and I wouldn't put a butterfly fish in a reef. Many like to eat corals. Think smaller, too. Try to stick with fish that don't get over about 3 inches or so. They will be much happier down the line.

 

[dsn112]

sumps are very beneficial and if you can have one you should.

All Tangs need tanks atleast 100g. Both your looking at really aren't good for tangs unless they are the size of a quarter and you get rid if them when they get bigger. Even that is pushing it.

 

[dalejr31815]

so no tangs... so instead of those which would be recommended for a beginner??

btw thanks!

 

[seapug]

all depends on what your vision is for the tank, but hawkfish, many fairy wrasses, gobies, jawfish, Cardinalfish, blennies, etc. are appropriate for a tank that size.

 

[dalejr31815]

i read somewhere that you had to have a balance between semi-aggressive and peacefull fish many of those are i believe peacefull and the clownfish i liked is somewhat semi-aggressive wouldn't the school-based fish out balance him/her?

 

[seapug]

you want as little aggression as possible if you are trying to have a community tank. There's nothing wrong with having all "peaceful" fish. Some clowns can be very territorial, especially as they get older, but it's usually only a certain part of the tank if they are used to having other fish around. That's about as "aggressive" as you want to let things get. It can be a real downer to have a fish that constantly gets picked on or groups that fight.

 

[AquamanE]

Hey Seapug, how about a Bud Light instead of a Dr. Pepper.

 

[Sk8r]

And in a certain sense---even very tiny marine fish may be aggressive---on their scale. Seapug is right. In a 75g tank you want as few conflicts as you can get. Understand, many of the better-known fishes you are used to seeing in the ads grow more than pan-sized, so they keep running into each other. The blue gets to be a foot long and butterfly fish aren't good survivors in small tanks: they barely make it in large ones. In freshwater the vendors class everything as community or aggressive: in the ocean, there's no real equivalent of the molly or the swordfish---even the herbivores will nosh on shrimp, if diced. I had a rabbitfish, an herbivore, that took out a live cleaner shrimp---not waiting for dinner. And I have fish the size of guppies that will readily fight---each other, but mostly for show: which is the deal with planning a community marine tank---give everybody enough room to retreat and nobody's fins get nipped.
Go to www/liveaquaria.com and take a look at nanofish. You'll see a lot of prospects that will not outgrow your 75. I keep a 54, and have plenty of room and no warfare.

 

[dalejr31815]

thanks sk8tr! and seapug! it really has opened me up to this hobby more... i will continue to research and ask questions but thanks so far!

 

[Aquarist007]

here is a great chart on fish size etc--just clic on each link and it gives you a chart:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Fish

 

[Sk8r]

brilliant link, cap'n. That's one I'm bookmarking.