Compatibility and tank size

[Natalie]

Hi folks. It's my first post, so be gentle.

Later in the year (around August or September probably) I am planning to purchase an aquarium to set up for fish only. I've had saltwater before (for about 2 years) but was not able to move the tank with me when I relocated, so its been about 3 years since I did any of this stuff. Admittedly, I did not know as much about the hobby then as I could have, so consider me a quasi-newbie, I guess. lol

I would like to have the system (equipment and inhabitants) all planned out prior to making any purchases of equipment or anything... so bare with my questions as I make these decisions. I am presuming that my best course of action will be to determine which creatures I'll be keeping, then plan the system around them, yes?

I would like to do a fairly decent sized system (in the 6' and 150 or 180 gallon range, probably) with maybe 3-4 fish. The fish I'm kind of focusing on at this point are as follows: Regal Tang, Powder Blue Tang, Huma Huma Trigger, Queen Angel, Imperator Angel, Lionfish (Volitans perhaps, but perhaps something a tad smaller may be more appropriate?).

I realize that I should probably choose just one tang and one angel and not mix species in those groups, but aside from that does anyone see any blaring compatibility issues? For instance, would my trigger harass my lion endlessly and/or nip at its fins? Also would a 150 or 180 be large enough for 3 or 4 of these beauties as adults?

Thank you so much in advance for sharing your expertise!

 

[Anonymous]

Natalie, I have a 180...but with small fish. I'm gonna bump this...you'll see much more traffic starting tomorrow.

Welcome to RDO!!

 

[Natalie]

*in best Ben Stein voice*

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[ChrisRD]

I've seen some of those species coexisting in FO tanks before, so I'd say it can certainly be done. I'll move this into the GRD where you should get more feedback...

 

[SpecialK]

I would take the lion out of that mix because Angels, Triggers & Lions dont mix. Angels & triggers like to pick the fins of Lionfish and will kill them. Lions can be kept with Pinktail Triggers and Blue Throats but you still have to watch them, but there is still the angels.
If you plan on having a larger sump on this tank with some lighting you could have a fuzzy dwarf lion in that with some rock. I have a 50G sump on my 300 and keep a Fuzzy & zebra lion in it. I keep lions in there when training them to frozen foods.

Kaye

 

[Anonymous]

I have a different take. I would get rid of the angels. They can get to be just to aggressive when they get good size. I have had some big angels that have literally killed good size fish that were added after the angels were established. Angels also tend to be more sensitive to parasites then other big fish.

I have kept triggers with lionfish without any problem. But you may want to introduce the lion first and get him trained on raw, non-live food - which is easier to do without other aggressive eaters present.

Tangs are ok, but I would consider rabbit fish as alternative. They are great algae eaters and not nearly as aggreesive. I have an 8" blue/orange-spot rabbit in my reef tank that has got to be one of the best I have ever had. Hippo and Naso tangs tend to be less aggressive than many of the other tangs.

Some of the less aggressive morays might also be a good choice to mix with some of the other fish you want to keep. A zeebra moray would be a very good choice.

A puffer or box fish might also be a good addition.

If you stay away from some of the more aggressive fish, you may also want to consider some of the hardier butterflys.

BTW, make sure you get a very good skimmer to handle the waste from the big eaters that you plan to keep.

 

[Natalie]

Thank you everyone for your replies! Keep the suggestions coming, they are SO appreciated.

ghostofmilz, that was going to be my next question! Is there a specific skimmer you would recommend?

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone for your replies! Keep the suggestions coming, they are SO appreciated.

ghostofmilz, that was going to be my next question! Is there a specific skimmer you would recommend?

Tough one. I have used ETSS skimmers with great success - I think I have had a couple of the dual stack 750 model numbers (this is model I believe that they still make, but never seem advertise). It is similar to their current ETSS model 800 skimmer. I used these skimmers on a 175g and a 200g. The stacks need to be cleaned regularly, so make sure you have good access. And more recently, one of these units developed a small leak in the bottom box - but I think it will be pretty easy to repair.

More recently, I have been using Andy's skimmers at My Reef Creations for bigger tanks. These are becket injector units that work very well. The first uint I bought was for a 360g and was very well built. However, the more recently bought unit (for a 330g) is outstanding. I have been really impressed with Andy's workmanship. I believe that he sells smaller units that would be suitable for a 150g-180g.

But there are other excellant skimmers out there as well. I just don't have any familiarity with those units.

 

[SpecialK]

You can have a volitan but I would not mix it with certain fish.
I keep a mated pair of Bird wrasses with mine and a Tassled File which you might want to look at also. My filefish is such a cool fish with a non stop personality, I will say I love my Lions & Tassled!

Here is a great lion article you may want to take a look at http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002- ... /index.htm

Let me know what you think!

Kaye

 

[Anonymous]

Let me toss my hat in the ring by recommending a Harlequin Tusk and a Polleni Grouper. Both are frighteningly colorful and excellent tankmates for the semi-aggressive tank. Both can be kept with angels without a problem. I have kept both in the past, and they are excellent fish.

Peace,

Chip

 

[SpecialK]

Beautiful fish!!! What size do those get?

Kaye

 

[Anonymous]

Beautiful fish!!! What size do those get?
Kaye

Polleni gets about 12-15", Tusk about 10-12".

Peace,

Chip

 

[Natalie]

OMGoodness! That Polleni is gorgeous! (and expensive! lol) I'd never even heard of that before! I've had a few people recommend the Harlequin Tusk. In fact, its been suggested more than any other. That has to mean somethin.

The more I read, the more I'm thinking the lion just isn't going to work for me at this time. I *really* love the Huma Huma, so the lion will have to wait for another tank, I think.

So, now the list is shaping up as follows:

Huma Huma Trigger
Harlequin Tusk
Imperator Angel
Polleni Grouper

I like the Powder Blue Tang and some of the butterflies, too, but would there be room for one more big fish? I want them to all be as comfortable as possible.

 

[Anonymous]

Let me toss my hat in the ring by recommending a Harlequin Tusk and a Polleni Grouper. Both are frighteningly colorful and excellent tankmates for the semi-aggressive tank. Both can be kept with angels without a problem. I have kept both in the past, and they are excellent fish.

Peace,

Chip

FWIW, my 8" annularis angel killed a 6" grouper I tried to add to a 175g tank. The grouper was dead (with multiple wounds) by morning. Add the angel last and you should be ok.

 

[Unarce]

A personal favorite is the Miniatus Grouper, which was my first SW fish back in '91. Not all that expensive either, considering it's striking appearance.

 

[SpecialK]

Yes! That is a beauty, I almost bought one of those, they are striking in color.

Kaye

 

[Anonymous]

FWIW, my 8" annularis angel killed a 6" grouper I tried to add to a 175g tank. The grouper was dead (with multiple wounds) by morning. Add the angel last and you should be ok.

I agree with Milz here...100%. I had a 10"+ annularis angel in with 4 6"+ trigger fish (blueline, picasso, titan, and clown) and it was in perfect shape (no nipped fins) and the boss of the tank. If a trigger tried to mess with it, it was quickly put in its place.

Don't worry about big angels, they can hold their own. Just make sure to add it last, as Milz suggested.

Peace,

Chip