question about FO

[pballer]

Ok i have only had reef tanks and might want to start up a FO tank maybe a 50g. It would be for my common room at college so i dont wanna spend much money on it. What would i need at the min(/cheapest possible) to have one like do i need special lighting skimmer high water movement.
TIA

[dobejazz]

Fish only can have Normal Output lighting. Live rock and a big skimmer would work for filtration but alot will depend on what you plan on keeping

[pballer]

well every1 on gen reef disc just shot down my temp shark thoughts so now im maybe thinking maybe a small puffer, snowflake eel, harlequain tusk, lionfish. something like those.

[Geoff]

for that sized tank i would just get one zebra moray. that should keep everyone happy. fun to feed. pretty to look at. lighting would be absolutely minimal. skimmer would need to be monsterous, but this is true for any predator tank.

do this only if you plan on keeping the eel longterm. i also do not agree with "renting" fish.

G~

[pballer]

I would be keeping the fish long term but when the semester is over it is going to be brought down to LI. Will the eel be trouble doing this???

[pballer]

Also does the rock have to be live?? how much for a 50?? Would i be able to keep like one big fish in there with it like the Harlequin Tusk or the lion or a puffer???

[Geoff]

no, those fish get to big quickly. the reaon why i suggested the Zebra is that they do not like to move around much. keeping them in a 4' tank is not a problem for them. most other eels like bigger tanks.

Tusks/Lions/Puffers can all get near the 1' length when fed correctly, even in small tanks.

G~

[pballer]

ok thnx 4 the advice