Help Stocking a 58 gallon FOWLR

bigjohn · 12-19-2004, 10:58 PM

Hi everyone!

I am working on setting up a 58 gallon FOWLR. I want to get some "non-reef safe" fish that I always want but can't keep at home in the reef tank.

Here is a preliminary list of some fish that I would like to keep:

Banana Wrasse
Lunare Wrasse
Niger Trigger
Picasso Trigger
Clown Trigger
Porcupine Puffer
Blue Dot Puffer
Flame Hawkfish
Coral Beauty

This is definitely not a "must have everything" list, but I do intend to choose the inhabitants from this list. I don't want to overcrowd the tank, but I should have plenty of volume for supporting the bioload (58 gallon display and 40 gallon sump).

Also, I know that shrimp would not be safe with any of the fish that I listed. What about corals? I have a plethora of mushrooms and zoanthids that I could frag. Would any of this fish be coral eaters?

FR · 12-19-2004, 11:21 PM

i supose you know that if you actually had that list of fish you would need a pretty big tank like a 180 or something?

Loverotties · 12-19-2004, 11:48 PM

more like 300.

webdr · 12-19-2004, 11:50 PM

look, his second paragraph states (This is definitely not a "must have everything" list)

FR · 12-20-2004, 01:05 AM

wrasses need a ton of space to swim around in, i wouldn't recommend them in a 58 gallon tank.

tims · 12-20-2004, 07:46 AM

the P. puffer is said to like to munch from time to time..

Loverotties · 12-20-2004, 08:33 AM

I Knew That Webdr

rwdandald · 12-20-2004, 10:07 AM

Flame Hawkfish and coral beauty should both be fine IMO , the triggers and puffers will quickly ( a year at most IMO) outgrow the tank. The banana wrasse is a slow grower at least so if you could get a smallish - 2" one it might be ok for a couple years -

bigjohn · 12-20-2004, 10:29 AM

Thanks, that's the kind of feedback that I am looking for. I've had a reef tank for about 5 years, but this is my first experience with most of these fish.

Cosine · 12-20-2004, 11:45 AM

stocking is my favorite part of setting up a tank!
here's how I see it
I'm not really familiar with wrasses. I have a little 4line in my reef but he's nothing like a lunar or banana.
The triggers will also get big and are territorial. In your list I think the niger is your best bet but still I think the tank would be too small. The clowns get HUGE and mean and I think the same for picasso
You may have to look to some other fish
However, other people might dissagree but some are good choices IMO
the coral beauty, flame hawk and the blue dot puffer.
the blue dot puffer that I believe you are looking at is a Canthigastar. They are cool and stay small!
Although I read that cathigastars can be nippy to other fish, but the other fish should be able to handle themselves.
Anyways that's how I see it, I'd start there and then choose from there.
what's the dimensions of that tank anyways?
well HTH!

bigjohn · 12-20-2004, 02:05 PM

Thanks, the Canthigastar is the one I had in mind. I've read a little bit about them and seen some pictures, but I was hoping for some feedback like yours, Cosine.The main tank is a 58 gallon Oceanic. It measures 36" X 18" X 22"(?). I am using a 40 gallon long 36" X 18" X 16"(?) as a sump.

Cosine · 12-20-2004, 02:35 PM

Glad I could help some.
Without corals you can put a few more fish in there.
I would think that those 3 would be fine with a couple of other small fish.
There might be a good wrasse for that size tank out there.
good luck

FR · 12-21-2004, 02:41 AM

how bout a tang?

bigjohn · 12-21-2004, 10:07 AM

The tang police would get me if I put one in that small a tank!

I'll save the tangs from my 125 gallon reef.