Exciting new tank, help please!

[cstar]

Good news: I have a unique opportunity to take over a tank in a local restaurant. (Just finished cycling, currently contains a good amount of LR and 2 damsels)

Bad news: It's about 3 feet high and 4 feet long and only 1 foot wide and it has only basic equipment (an Enheim pro and florecent lights)

Would you tackle this job? I think it's probably best as a FO tank, what would you stock?

Thanks for your suggestions

 

[fishfarmer]

How much maintainance are you going to be doing to the tank is the first question? Are you willing to go in every couple of weeks to do water changes/tests, weekly glass scraping, look for dead fish, etc?

Will you have funds for more equipment like a protein skimmer?

Will you be feeding the tank daily or letting restaurant employees doing it? I would avoid fish that generally require several feedings throughout the day. I would stick with your generally easy fish like damsels, chromis, clownfish, dottybacks, and pygmy angels. Fish that don't need a lot of swimming room.

Will you have COMPLETE control what goes in and out of the tank, i.e. when you tell them that you have to wait a few weeks to put fish in, they don't go out themselves and start putting in fish.

I currently maintain a 120 gal FOWLR at a local campground minutes from where I work. It's generally an easy job so far, they do most of the feedings. I go in every few days to add some nori for the tangs. Once a week the glass needs to be scraped, skimmer cleaned, water topped off. Every two weeks or so I do a WC.

[ August 24, 2001: Message edited by: fishfarmer ]

 

[Litoria]

In my previous life as a aquarium maintanance guy, I encountered many a tank like this. Weird dimensions, underfiltered, with almost impossible access. Did I take them, of course. Were they difficult? You bet. Dont try to over do it. If this tank is that strangly shaped, I recommend only one thing. Freshwater. The challenges of any saltwater tank are confounded by the filters and the shape of the tank. With only an eheim, you are going to have problems. Stick with freshwater, Get some nice african cichlids. They are nicely colored, extremely hardy, and most "regular" people wont even be able to tell the difference.

 

[cstar]

I would have complete control over what goes in the tank. Perhaps they'd be willing to sping for a skimmer.

I'll get the excact measurements and get back to you. Perhaps it was a bit wider than my guestamate, it looked challenging but doable as SW.

Oxygen exchange and access are obviously the biggest issues in a tall tank , anything else I should lookout for?

Thanks

 

[GobieWanKenobie]

If you are left WANTING a skimmer and decent lighting, I would have to say FO lightly stocked. Make sure you set up a DSB because skimmer options seem limited from your posts. I would stock a trigger and a butterfly fish if that is the way you want to go.... Always wanted a threadfin, reef prevents it. If you need any help with any purchases, post it and we will always push you in the right direction, you may not like what we say $$ wise but we are only looking out for your animals...

Hope this helps, and keep us informed.

Gobes

 

[davelin315]

I second that. Dump it and send me the live rock. Seriously.

 

[cstar]

Gobiewan
I'm liking your suggestions...similar to what I had in mind. What particular qualities made you suggest those fish?

I'm concerned about leaving in the damsels, or attemping to get them out! Wouldn't they become trigger snack?

Thanks