FOWLR question

[Ryan22]

First off, hello everyone

Now heres my question:
I'm going to be moving soon and i was thinking that during the move would be a good time to change some tanks around. I started working on a 55gal reef tank but stoped the process when I realised that I would be moving soon. So right now I have the 55 gal with a 4-5in sand bed and nothing else waiting to make the move. I also have a 29 gal with the remains of what I have left from my first (failed) attempt at SW waiting to go into the 55. I have a Coral beauty, three blue damsels and a maroon clown in the 29. I have desided that because of $$$$ restrictions I am going to go FOWLR when I move. I'm also going to switch my African Cichlids into the 55 and make their former home(72 gal bowfront) the FOWLR tank. So I was thinking of getting a niger trigger, a snowflake eel, a dwarf lion and a puffer of some sort in addition to the others listed above. Will this be to many fish for the 72? Do you foresee any posible problems with this? I would also like to get a kole tang, a picasso trigger and an angle or butterfly if at all possible, or as a replacement for one of the others mentioned above. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your input.

Ryan

[ 08-03-2001: Message edited by: Ryan22 ]

[wagnutz69]

Well, I am going to upset a great number of the members around here, but here goes.....I honestly think it can be done easily...since not a reef tank. The owner of one of the LFS stores around here, the one that I trust completely, has a 110 Gallon Tank, with an Amircale (I believe) refugium, and skimmer with the following:
(1) Guinea Fowl Puffer (9 IN head/tail)
(1) Majestic Angel (6 to 7 IN head/tail)
(1) Lunare Wrasse (6 to 7 IN head/tail)
(1) Harlequin Tusk (8 IN head/tail)
(1) Blue Jaw Trigger (6 IN)
(1) Naso Tang (bigger then I've ever seen, 9 IN head/tail)
(1) Harlequin Sweetlips (5 IN)
(2) Chainlink Moray Eels (LOOOOONG)

He has had this setup, different type of filtration until lately, with ALL fish in it since I have started the hobby (5 yrs ago), and has not had one problem with it. All fish look immaculate, and have grown!!! The Puffer looks like it weighs 4-5 lbs!!! May not seem like much to you, but here in Iowa, THAT'S A BIG FISH IN A TANK!!! I'm sure his nitrates fluctuate, and would guess he does frequent water changes, but they are all healthy, and get along with each other (the puffer and the Majestic parade around the tank like a couple, quite weird....). I think it would be alright, as I have seen similar setups, some with MORE fish, and they seem to do great to. But in the end it's up to you, and definitely want to get many many different opinions on the matter. HTH


Tim

[FishDaddy]

Hi Ryan,

Good to have you here. Tim's post points out something very important: The experienced professional owner of a LFS who is with his tank full time can sometimes exceed the abilities of us ordinary hobbyists. Experience and knowledge counts for a lot. Many experienced and qualified reefers push the envelope beyond what the rest of us might dare.
I would suggest going slowly with this project, adding one fish at a time and keeping close check to make sure you do not exceed your particular tank's ability to handle a large bioload. The conservative and widely accepted propositon is that a 75 is the minimum size for any tang and the larger ones need a 6' tank. The Niger Trigger and Picasso are major big fish. I personally would want a 6' tank to keep either of them to provide swimming room to display their beauty and keep them healthy. The entire load you have in mind would fare much better in say, a 180. Snowflakes and Lions also get big and are messy eaters. I'm sure you know most of this as you've had some good saltwater experience.
For a new tanks setup with LR/LS, you will be essentially operating with the filtration of the LR and skimmer as it is going to take a good 6-8 months for the sand alone to process a modest bioload and a year or more to reach max efficiency. I would recommend adding only a few smaller fish during the first year, perhaps one of the larger ones, before increasing the fish load further.
I would also recommend the biggest sump you can fit in your cabinet for the increased water volume and stability, together with a Refugium to help process the Nitrates.
I would not presume to pare down your fish wish list as to specifics; much of this is personal choice with care as to compatability, but I would select 3 or 4 of the small to medium ones that you really like and work with that until the tank is fully mature and stabilized. If you add the Damsels first, their territiorial aggressive behavious would be an aggravation to the other ones as they are added but, your choice.
BTW, do you happen to have Robert Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist or John Tullock's Natural Reef Aquariums? If not, I would recommend either or both of these before buying any addtional equipment. Some great info in those books about bioloads and fish compatability.
This has to be exciting and challenging to switch 3 tanks around and move too.
We are very glad to have you with us.
Dick

WAGZ,
I bet your friend's tank resembles a massacre scene at feeding time! Hehehehehehe

[ 08-01-2001: Message edited by: FishDaddy ]

[wagnutz69]

Fishdaddy does make SEVERAL important points, the main being EXPERIENCED!!! I did not take that into consideration, and should have...The more I think about it, he's been in the biz for about 20 years...so he knows LOTS of tricks....which is why it most likely works out!! I do agree with him, taking it slow, watching your params....as for the sump, DEFINITELY!!!


WAGZ


P.S., reminds me of JAWS The Revenge there, quite a site, wish I could get my hands on a Guinea Fowl myself, tis the most awesome fish I have EVER seen!!!

[Ryan22]

Hi guys, thanks for the info.

I definatly plan on a sump for the tank, and I have a turbofloater 1500 that I plan to use, I also have a fluval 404 and a fluval 304 (actually I have 3, 304's)that I could add to the system. I had actually planed on it, for added filtration and circulation. I figured they would be ok since some nitrates aren't as much a problem in FOWLR as they are in a reef, and I have a mag 9.5 for a return pump. I have Tullock's book and have been makeing my way through it in my downtime at work (I have a lot). I've had a saltwater tank of some sort or another in my house for just about a year now, so I wouldn't consider myself experienced, but I have learned alot. Thanks again for your input. I'll be happy to provide any other info.

Ryan