Predator Tank?

Reefdude5 · 08-24-2003, 10:21 PM

I know this isn't exactly a reef question but I was wondering if it would be possible to make a predator tank of a snowflake/zebra eel,a trigger of some kind, a lionfish, and maybe a puffer in a 55g! I was thinkin of trying something a little of the reef subject. Thanks for the input!

thefatman · 08-24-2003, 10:33 PM

i think that might turn out to be a bit too much for the 55. the triggers and lions can grow to need a 55 or larger on their own.

buzz will be able to answer better than i since he has a few predator tanks. specifically lions and triggers.....and bears... oh my!!!

Yoshi-22 · 08-24-2003, 10:34 PM

ur a dork

Brandon

thefatman · 08-24-2003, 10:35 PM

glad we agree

squid · 08-24-2003, 11:42 PM

Quote:

ur a dork

LOL WHAT???

Buzz_Hog · 08-25-2003, 12:19 AM

A lionfish will get too big for a 55...

If you want a really cool setup for a 55, I'd suggest 2 or 3 Dwarf Lions and a snowflake eel.

Watch out for the triggers. There are too many stories of Clown Triggers killing off all inhabitants in a tank. I currently have an Undulate Trigger which is from the same family as the Clown and he's just as, if not more aggressive. He's a 4 inch fish and he has his own 125 gallon tank with good reason. He's can and will kill anything I put in the tank with him.

With Lionfish, beware that they are venomous fish. Also be aware that you MUST ween the fish to eat prepared foods. If not, he will not live long. Lions are very picky eaters, but can live for 15-18 years if kept properly.

Feel free to give me a hollar if ya got any specific questions.

Oh yeah, before I forget, in a predator tank, DO NOT use Southdown as substrate. Predator fish love to stir up the sand and you will have constant milkshakes. I'd reccomend a 1 inch bed of crushed coral which make it easy to vacuum.

For filtration, go with a good sized wet/dry sump and be prepared for more frequent water changes. Also, a good skimmer will do ya good for water clarity as predator fish are an extremely heavy bioload on the tank.

MammaDuck · 08-25-2003, 01:21 AM

FWIW, my dad kept a 90 gal tank with a moray eel, a picasso trigger, and a lion fish for years. . .

Buzz_Hog · 08-25-2003, 05:19 AM

Yep, I got a Picasso Trigger also... He's one very smart fish... His is the only tank that doesn't have a timer for his lights. If he sees the other tanks lights go out and I haven't turned his light off, he'll tap the front glass when I walk by to get my attention. It's pretty wild to think this fish is telling me to turn off the lights.

Reefdude5 · 08-25-2003, 07:23 AM

THanks everyone! Hey Buzz, what about keeping a picasso with 2 dwarf lions and a snowflake? The picasso triggers are so beautiful! And do you keep corals in your non-trigger/puffer predator tanks? Thanks!

Buzz_Hog · 08-25-2003, 07:59 AM

Yes and Yes...

Juswt keep an eye on the Trigger as they can be fin nippers. It would be horrible for a trigger to chew up a lions streamers.

Along with my predator tanks, I've also got a 29 gallon reef. It will soon be moved to a 55 gallon and I'll be setting up a 180 once I get moved into my house.

Where in VA are you located? I'm heading down to Quantico on Thursday.

Reefdude5 · 08-25-2003, 09:12 AM

Buzz, I'm in Middleburg VA, near Leesburg and Manasas. About 50 miles west of DC. I think Quantico is several hours away, I went to the Marine obstacle course there with my uncle once. BUt to tell you the truth I'm not sure which direction from me it is. That would be kool if you were driving by! Also, what Protein Skimmer would you suggest and I've been told to add the moray first but if the trigger is really small could I add him and wait for a while until he got bigger? Thanks again!

Buzz_Hog · 08-25-2003, 09:32 AM

You could, but triggers don't seem to grow very quickly. I've have my Huma Huma for about 6 months. He was about 2 inches when I got him and he's now just barely three inches.

Are you getting a Moray, or a Snowflake? I'd reccomend a snowflake. Moray's get WAY too big. With a snowflake, it wouldn't really matter which you added first. Just make sure you have plenty of caves built into the rockwork. For the most part, you won't see the eel much. Probrably only at feeding time will you see him. They tend to be skittish creatures and live in caves.

Huma Huma triggers have a lot of personality and are pretty personable. He'll be out and about swimming the front glass, but will need his own cave to sleep in. Mine has a hole burrowed into a rock that he keeps enlarging to fit himself as he grows. I've moved him through three tanks and that big humk of rock has always moved with him. No matter where I place it in the tank, that rock marks his territory. I'll post some pics of my fish in a bit.

MammaDuck · 08-25-2003, 09:41 AM

I'd say snowflake eel as opposed to a moray as well. . . mostly for aestetics. At least a snowflake eel has better coloring. After our moray got big, and since he's kinda flesh colored he reminded me of a male "you know what" with googlie eyes glued on it!

Kinda creeded me out, but he made it impossible to add anything else to the tank. Anything less then three inches or so was food, and even somethings bigger than three inches, come to think of it. . .

A word of advice on the snowflakes, they are escape artists. You'll have to keep the tank covered or he WILL get out. The saddest thing is having to peel your eel friend off the carpet because he jumped

Buzz_Hog · 08-25-2003, 09:51 AM

Undulate Trigger (Extremely aggressive and mean)

Miniata Grouper

Black Volitan Lionfish

Huma Huma Trigger (I call him ****it, cause that usually the first thing I say when he gets my attention)

MammaDuck · 08-25-2003, 09:54 AM

Buzz,

Your black volitan in GORGEOUS!

Thanks for sharing. . .