Any idea on the "one or two medium to big fish" ? That could change things completely.

 

Undecided, but leaning towards dwarf angels. I want a butterfly fish but know they are difficult. Do you think the rest of the setup is okay?

 

The Bioload is way to high the water changes are not enough. I would say to half the fish-load and do weekly water changes at 15-20%.

 

You say half the fish load? Really? that doesn't seem like a whole lot of fish considering their size... I'm probably going to get rid of chromis and cit back on the firefish now. 15-20% weekly also seems like a lot to me.. hmm.. If I would go the weekly route I was thinking 10% water changes.

 

I would stick with 1 firefish --- 2 or more (( unless you find a mated pair )) are more likely than not to become 1.

I would skip the damsel -- just too mean for my liking.

I would skip the chormis, they have a tendency to pick each other off until there is one left.

A dwarf angel would be fine (( they will nip at some corals )), but would pass on a butterfly.

 

I'll take your advice into consideration Todd, thanks. Do you think I would have room to substitute in more fish for the ones you skipped because of temperament?

 

For your main fish maybe a wrasse or a yellow tang?

 

I would love a yellow Tang, however it seems like a very debated topic on if a 55 gallon is too small for it. Thats an option for me though. Any other "Big fish" ideas?

 

See that's the wrong attitude to have.. "Fish are tolerable of nitrates". You should want whats best for your fish not whats "tolerable" Thats like saying you can live off crackers and water, so thats how you should live. Get what I mean? That is also the reason you shouldn't out a tang in a 55g. Can you? Sure. However the fish will suffer and that is anti-everything about this hobby. Also, water changes every week are much better for your fish than ever 3 weeks. Yes, protein skimmers on larger systems are almost a must because they remove the nutrients that you add every time you feed your fish.

If you don't remove the nutrients, you could develop algae, have ammonia problems, etc. You're already at a recipe for problems with wanting to delay water changes to every 3 weeks. If there's one key lesson to be learned, it's nutrient export must equal the import at the very least, otherwise you're going to have a lot of problems. The hobby requires a lot of attention and a lot of care. If someone can't do that, they should do whats best for the fish and just not start until they are ready to do so. A

 

The trick is that you are placing a significant number of fish that need a lot of bacteria in a small tank with a small surface area. Even for a fowlr there are specific restrictions. While the "window" of tolerance is wider on some nutrients, there are other areas in which fowlr can be more restrictive... such as O2 demands and bacterial carrying capacity. That is why wet/dry filters work for fowlr and skimmer are useful.

Nitrates are one thing to be away of but it is not the end-all of a system. However as nutrients increase such as nitrates, the 02 demand increase and that leaves less for fish. Wet/dry increase gas exchange while also providing bacterial processing once mature. Also prolonged nitrate exposure can lead to other fish health issues.

 

I would not run a tank without a Skimmer... Just sayin..

Here is some advise for you, only stock what you can allow to thrive given the set up..
Also your Bioload is always dictated by your Husbandry, as well as your equipment..