55 Gallon Sw Preds Tank.

[PRW1988]

So, after much thought and consideration. I've decided that, even after our original 72gallon reef had an eletrical fire, that I'm going to get back into the saltwater game when I move into my new house (March). Well, I've decided to go with SW predators. I have 2 protein skimmers, one is rated for up to 100gallons and the other one is for up to 150gallons. I plan to have them both running, aswell as a Rena XP3 rated for 175gallons.

I'm really interested in lionfish and I've found a few different species, but I'm still trying to decide if the 55gallon would be too small for the Lionfish. Also, a dogfaced puffer fish is something else I'd be interested in, aswell as (probably) a small moray of some sort (thinking of a snowflake). Does it sound like this would be an okay mix in the tank?

Tank specs (besides the water stats as the tank isn't set-up) RO water, over 70lbs of live rock, live(ish) carribiean sand.
Lights, standard flouresents, 2 Powerglow light bulbs. I have Marine glow (which shows a blue tint), would this be better?
Tank size- 55gallons. 48" long.



Any advice,info on the species I want, or comments??

 

[BigBeginner]

Same size as my reef tank!

A fuzzy dwarf lion and zebra dwarf lion should be good in a 55 gal

I dunno if a dogface would be happy in a 55 gal (i wouldn't risk it) try looking for a smaller species, i believe (dont quote me on it) spotted puffers, saddle puffers, valentini puffers are smaller species

Good luck =]

 

[SkiFletch]

WAY too small for a dogface, and also too small for a fullsize lion (volitans or similar)

 

[BigBeginner]

WAY too small for a dogface, and also too small for a fullsize lion (volitans or similar)

what about the dwarf species? are they small enough?

 

[SkiFletch]

Sure are

 

[PRW1988]

Well, I'm thinking of about 3 Dwarf fuzzy lions, they grow to 8" max I've read and I know the general rule of thumb for saltwater is 1" of the fishes maximum size per 2gallons of water. 55gallons, 3x8=48. 55-48=7gallons remaining.

But then again, I may only get 2 Dwarf fuzzy lions, a smaller species of puffer(can anybody reccomend one? Would a porcipine puffer be okay? or should I go with a trigger and the 2 lions?) Also, I want a moray of some sort. As they're fairly inactive and are general cave/crevace dwelers would they be fine in the tank??

What are your reccomendations? This is what I'm thinking of for stock thus far.

2x dwarf fuzzy lion fish
1x pufferfish (dunno species, could even be a boxfish)
1x Snowflake Moray eel.


And yeah... I'm pretty sure that's it, I may throw a frog fish in, but not 100%... Any advice plz

 

[BigBeginner]

Definitely not a porcupine puffer if any

the whole 1 inch per 2 gal doesnt always apply in the marine world

thsoe are big fish you want to keep, and they like big tanks, 55 gal is a medium sized tank TBO

Heres some info i found out using a compatability chart:
Lion (Can be kept with puffers, eels, lions, and frogfish. Not triggers)
Puffer (Can be kept with eels, lions. Maybe frogfish, and triggers. Not other puffers)
Trigger (Can maybe be kept with eels, other triggers, and puffers. Not frogfish or lions)(EDIT: cant really be kept with anything without risk)
Eel (Can be kept with lions and puffers. Maybe triggers, other eels, and frogfish)
Frogfish (Can be kept with lions. Not triggers. Maybe puffers, other frogfish, and eels)(EDIT: frogfish should be kept by them selves)

I would say:
1x snowflake
1x fuzzy dwarf
1x small puffer (someone will know a good species)

Might be able to add:
1x fuzzy
OR
1x frogfish

 

[bae1994]

Heres some info i found out using a compatability chart:
Lion (Can be kept with puffers, eels, lions, and frogfish. Not triggers)
Puffer (Can be kept with eels, lions. Maybe frogfish, and triggers. Not other puffers)
Trigger (Can maybe be kept with eels, lions, other triggers, and puffers. Not frogfish)
Eel (Can be kept with lions and puffers. Maybe triggers, other eels, and frogfish)
Frogfish (Can be kept with lions. Not triggers. Maybe puffers, other frogfish, and eels)

yeah the bold undeerlined ones contridict each other about the trigger thing

 

[BigBeginner]

sorry i might have read it wrong ill edit

EDIT: was supposed to be maybe triggers, thanks for the catch

 

[bae1994]

just point it out so that he doesnt try and end up with big probs then blame you lol

 

[BigBeginner]

Yea, that would be bad

thanks agian

 

[bae1994]

thats fine glad to help lol

 

[kj23502]

triggers should not be kept lionfish. The trigs can actually kill them. I've already researched that for a snowflake, lion and trigger tank down the road. It changed my plans.

Read this:

http/www.wetwebmedia.com/pufferselfaqs.htm