Advice on possible new tank.

[LisaJill]

Well,

It's been a long time since I've posted here.

I recently moved back to NY from Australia... and find that I'm suddenly in a place where I can get some of the fish that I always wanted.

Here's the situation:

I have - nothing.

What I'm looking at it something small, really. I'm thinking maybe a 2'er to go along the wall opposite my bed. Not a bow, I just don't have the area for that.

What I would like to get is this:

2 jawfish of undetermined type, 2 black perc's.

Really I'd like to get about 5000000 more fish, but given my current circumstances, I'll try to be reasonable

What I'd also like is some low light corals - a few shrooms, polyps... maybe a hardy low light hard coral.. bubble or some such, to con the clowns into hosting in.

Now, my memory is sketchy on this. Jawfish require a 4"+ sandbed, or is that inaccurate?

Will 2 flouro's do? I know, I'd love metal halides - it ain't happenin'. I was thinking a hood with 2 flouro's built in - or possibly 3-4 flouro's built in if I can find in all in one hood.

Can I accomplish any of this with the all-in-one tanks? Or am I looking at doing this in bits and pieces?

My end goal is this: Some nice activity, some pretty colours, and something as low maintenance as possible. Money is an issue here, although I haven't considered the budget - I'd love some input on the cost I'm looking at for this, from someone experienced.

For this I believe, although I'm not sure, that I can put in some coral sand in the filter to maintain PH levels. A deep, live sandbed for real filtration, and some live rock and invertebrates. The 4 fish plus some hardy corals - I think this will fit nicely into a 2 foot tank - am I being too ambitious?

Lastly, should I go ahead - I need some input from NY'ers - preferably in Westchester.. where/whom do I buy from, who's good/trustworthy, healthy stock? Am I looking at mail order to get that or can I go and -see- this stuff in a store, which is my preferance.

Also, I know all about cycling and setup - no need to get into that yet.

Thanks guys, lookin' forward to your input.

 

[tazdevil]

WOW, someone who joined back in 2000, and doesn't have more than 100 posts?!?
Hmmm, well about the jawfish, they do need a deep bed, and with many different sizes/shapes to make their burrows with. Not entirely sure if a dsb can work with jawfish, do to the digging activities.

What size tank would you put there? You said 2 foot (I assume length), and how about width/height (and total gallons).

 

[LisaJill]

WOW, someone who joined back in 2000, and doesn't have more than 100 posts?!?
Hmmm, well about the jawfish, they do need a deep bed, and with many different sizes/shapes to make their burrows with. Not entirely sure if a dsb can work with jawfish, do to the digging activities.

What size tank would you put there? You said 2 foot (I assume length), and how about width/height (and total gallons).

I was never a big poster, I did some though.

I was under the impression that jawfish chose a small section to make their burrow - thereby a live sandbed would be ok for the most part. This is not correct? =/

Umm, 2 foot standard, which in Australia was 2x12x12 I think.. whats that like 25 gallons? I suck at this part....

 

[tazdevil]

I'd think Firefish gobies might be at home, the two percs should be good too. I'd only put 1 jawfish in that size, but that's more a personal opinion. Otherwise, pretty good tank idea, you'd probably want either VHO or PC for lighting (I'll get flamed for that one), as you said MH was not an option. Think PC might be better, as they last longer, and in the long run, may be cheaper for operating/replacement costs. HTH, FWIW, Good Luck!

 

[LisaJill]

I'd think Firefish gobies might be at home, the two percs should be good too. I'd only put 1 jawfish in that size, but that's more a personal opinion. Otherwise, pretty good tank idea, you'd probably want either VHO or PC for lighting (I'll get flamed for that one), as you said MH was not an option. Think PC might be better, as they last longer, and in the long run, may be cheaper for operating/replacement costs. HTH, FWIW, Good Luck!

For some reason, I thought jawfish came in pairs. I really like watching that type of interaction, hence the reasoning.

Could I do 2 firefish gobies and a jawfish, +2 percs? Or am I overloading if I do that?

I totally forgot that VHO and PC was available here - its hard as hell (if not impossible) to find in Australia - thats an excellent idea, thank you.