Changing To Marine After Fish Thoughts

[kniesh]

I have a 6x2x2 an think I am finally in a financial position to do a proper tank so I'm gonna do it gradually. I was just wondering though about the thoughts on fish. I am debating puttin some more larger fish in there like Angels, possibly a Puffer or Eel. Is this tank big enough for that kind of stocking or should I stick to smaller stuff?

Thanks in advance

 

[jtnova13]

I think you have room for almost any fish.

I don't know compatibility with puffers and eels though. I assume if you put an eel in with fish larger than it's mouth, it won't eat it.

You could also look at some triggers in addition to angels.

 

[kniesh]

I think you have room for almost any fish.

I don't know compatibility with puffers and eels though. I assume if you put an eel in with fish larger than it's mouth, it won't eat it.

You could also look at some triggers in addition to angels.

Thanks for the reply. I will obviously do a lot of research on the fish before I buy them, I was just after a general idea for now. I am still debating on invertebrates or larger fish, cant make my mind up but think it will prob be the larger fish like Tangs, Angels etc...I want a Snowflake Eel I think if possible and a Picasso Trigger is probably my favourite fish. These were everywhere when I was diving in Egypt last year an I just fell for them.

 

[ben1987]

Sounds like a Fish only with Live Rock system then.

Look into large protein skimmers
A QT is a must if your going Tang

You dont need hight powered lights when not keeping corals, big angels and puffers will often eat corals

 

[mark1979]

Sounds like a Fish only with Live Rock system then.

Look into large protein skimmers
A QT is a must if your going Tang

You dont need hight powered lights when not keeping corals, big angels and puffers will often eat corals

hey ben

whats QT? is it a quaratine tank?

is so why is that a must?

sorry to jump on the thread

 

[seffieuk]

Yes, a Quarantine tank

A QT is absolutely essential if you plan on keeping the ich prone Tang

Seffie x

 

[kniesh]

Thanks for the replies, the QT is a must may swing it towards a reef now then. I dont really have much room for another tank unless I get rid of some of my others. I really like the look of full reef systems and love shrimps, crabs snails etc.. These are probably my favourite part but I have a suspision I will end up wanting bigger fish. Think the reef it is though.

Gonna try and sell my FW fish now and try and get the tank emptied this week and some saltwater and LR in it. I still have some gear from when I had a 40gal one set up but I hated that, it looked too small, hence why I think this tank should be perfect.

 

[jtnova13]

Even with a reef tank, you will need a QT for tangs.

Reef tanks require much higher flow rate from powerheads and powerful lighting depending on what coral you plan to keep.

Best idea for a reef tank is to put together a livestock plan and then buy equipment accordingly.

If you want big fish, tangs and SOME triggers are reef safe. Angels and puffers are not as mentioned, because they will eat some corals and your clean up crew. With your tank, you could get a snowflake eel in with the reef. You want to stay away from small fish though if you get an eel.

 

[seffieuk]

Even with a reef tank, you will need a QT for tangs.

Reef tanks require much higher flow rate from powerheads and powerful lighting depending on what coral you plan to keep.

Best idea for a reef tank is to put together a livestock plan and then buy equipment accordingly.

If you want big fish, tangs and triggers are reef safe. Angels and puffers are not as mentioned, because they will eat some corals and your clean up crew. With your tank, you could get a snowflake eel in with the reef. You want to stay away from small fish though if you get an eel.

A good point from Nova there - start planning - get yourself a notepad and start putting a wish list together. Then start to think about hardware, another list expect you see a theme running through this

I however don't agree on the comment that triggers are reef safe, a couple of them are considered reef friendly, but it is a bit hit and miss. If you are thinking of Triggers (lovely fish), you will need a sump, as they can bite through cables, unless of course you are going to cover the cables somehow

Most of all, read, research and have fun planning

Seffie x

 

[ben1987]

triggers can do a mighty fine job of eating crabs and snails too

 

[jtnova13]

edited

 

[kniesh]

Yeah what I meant with the choice was it was either Tangs an triggers etc... OR the reef. I wont be mixing an matching as part of the joy of the reef will be all the inverts. I am almost certainly going to get a reef now although I dont think I will be buying 40 kilos of Live Rock in one swoop. The freshwater fish I have currently are quite big though and a couple of quite odd ones too so I should get some decent cash for them.

In terms of equipment and planning, as i said I do have a few powerheads already from last time, plus I have 3 x Fluval4s I am going to empty out the media and add rubble to and then try and hide as best I can in amongst the rock. This means I wont need to buy too much in terms of powerheads, although I will still be buying at least 1.

I have been reading through all the other help threads here to get an idea of getting started properly so I dont bother you all with the same old questions. A few links to decent marine websites in the UK would come in handy though if anyone knows good ones. I am really after a good skimmer as my last one was pretty poor, done a job but it is massive and very visible in the water, and above the tank.

 

[seffieuk]

We enjoy the questions

Mark has a MCE600 for sale - top marks skimmer

SEffie x

 

[kniesh]

can u link me please? just had a look and cant find it in the classifieds.

 

[seffieuk]

Just PM Mark1979 - he hasn't actually put it up for sale yet - but he has two mce 600, one he is going to use, the other sell

Seffie x