200g + 90g build/ideas! Advice, please!

S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Ok, as some of you already know, I have been "babysitting" a 1" Longhorn Cowfish.
Well, it seems I quickly grew attached to little L.C. and made the call that has allowed me to keep her!

Right now, she is in a 20g long that I set up for a Mantis tank.(No Mantis yet)
Realizing, she can not stay here, I have been searching for better housing and *fingers crossed* I may have found it.
I heard today that a freind of mine is getting rid of a 200g tank. Assuming I can get it. (Should know by this weekend) I think this will house the little Cowfish for several years, if not for life.
So, here's my plan(maybe) if I should get this tank. I really need some advice on whether these are good ideas, or just filling in what I know I want.
200g display tank with 90g display refugium. Both FOWLR.
In the 200g will be the Cowfish and ????? suggestions, please. A couple of gobies, maybe. What else could I house with her???
In the 90g, I would like to house some scorps/lions. I def. want a ghoul stingfish(assuming I can get one) a Leaf fish or two, a dwarf fuzzy and a hawaiin dwarf fuzzy. (My original plan for the 90g)
Assuming, I run a large protien skimmer and some sort of filter with carbon(incase Cowfish releases toxins), and lots of macros(for nitrate consumption) do you think this could be done??? Or am I dreaming??

Oh, I did own a 4" Cowfish when I was a newbie.(Let's just say a couple of years ago...lol) Had it about 6 months. It died in my tank with 0 other casualties. So, the toxin potential of these fish doesn't scare me as much as(maybe) it should!
Thanks in advance, Amy
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Shoot! I thought you or the saxman might be helpful on this! So, how much faith do you have in the compatibility chart they have on that sight with the WYSIWYG??
If I could go by that, I could do the above in addition to quite a variety of possibilities in with the Cowfish(boxfish).
But they also list many fish as compatable with anglers/frogfish so........IDK.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
You can't trust it (the site) at all, I'm sorry to say.
There's a chance they could get along fine. They are nippers, from what I hear (and from what their teeth tell me), so there's also that chance they could nip.
Greg had a puffer, trigger and lion together for 10 years... so it's all about personality. It's definitely a risk.
Just always have a plan B when trying something like this.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
That was my opinioin, too. About the site.
Seems like everything you read about Cowfish is that they need peaceful tankmates. I don't think they are agressive at all, but that's why I am looking for opinions, cuz who knows what they are like at 16" or so.
The lions/scorps. would be in the 90g and the Cowfish in the 200g. So, the only potential problem would be the supposed toxin, which I am sure exist, but think the reputation of it may be similar to the Mantis/shattered tank theory!
You know, it can happen, but does it really??
 
fmarini

fmarini

Member
Interesting. I have no experience w/ cowfish -except for what I've seen in the LFS- Like cranberry says--they are adorable when small.
I too have read the same stories as cranberry, about them being fin nippers, and about the toxin. Both of which i have no practical proof on.
As for compatibility charts- sure they make life simple, but since most fish have individual personalities- compatibility charts are guidelines. I've seen things that should have worked- and disaster when things should have worked-didnt.
So- I'm sure what to tell you--
Except-Good luck
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Originally Posted by Shrimpy Brains
http:///forum/post/3262299
Seems like everything you read about Cowfish is that they need peaceful tankmates. I don't think they are agressive at all, but that's why I am looking for opinions, cuz who knows what they are like at 16" or so.
The lions/scorps. would be in the 90g and the Cowfish in the 200g. So, the only potential problem would be the supposed toxin, which I am sure exist, but think the reputation of it may be similar to the Mantis/shattered tank theory!
You know, it can happen, but does it really??
I wouldn't worry about aggression at all. The picking wouldn't be do do aggression but it's "kind of what these type do".
But Holy Moly, I just reread your post. He would just be in the same system of water... not the same tank, right? I wouldn't worry about the toxin at all. I've never heard of someone's tank being killed by one.... kind of like the mantis shrimp. Have you heard first hand of one breaking though an appropriate size tank?
I think that setup would be fine. I can't believe I totally missed the part about the refugium.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3262351
I wouldn't worry about aggression at all. The picking wouldn't be do do aggression but it's "kind of what these type do".
But Holy Moly, I just reread your post. He would just be in the same system of water... not the same tank, right? I wouldn't worry about the toxin at all. I've never heard of someone's tank being killed by one.... kind of like the mantis shrimp. Have you heard first hand of one breaking though an appropriate size tank?
I think that setup would be fine. I can't believe I totally missed the part about the refugium.
No, I have never heard of a Mantis breaking thru someone's tank. That was my point. I think even though they may release toxins, with the right precautions, she would not crash the whole system. (hopefully)
Yes, I thought the display refugium (scorp/lion) would be your favorite part!
Yes, same water system, but seperate tanks. Is that a good stocklist for the 90g?
This way I have almost 300g in the system and I still get to use my 90g as I originlly intended. (Inspired by you)
Holy Moly, is right. I am very excited about the idea. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get the 200g tank!
If I do, the next big step(aside from drilling, plumbing, set up, modified or new stand and cycling
) will be the stock list for the 200g tank. So far, I have on this list 1 Longhorn Cowfish.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Originally Posted by FMarini
http:///forum/post/3262345
Interesting. I have no experience w/ cowfish -except for what I've seen in the LFS- Like cranberry says--they are adorable when small.
I too have read the same stories as cranberry, about them being fin nippers, and about the toxin. Both of which i have no practical proof on.
As for compatibility charts- sure they make life simple, but since most fish have individual personalities- compatibility charts are guidelines. I've seen things that should have worked- and disaster when things should have worked-didnt.
So- I'm sure what to tell you--
Except-Good luck
Thanks! I appreciate your input. Also, is your book out yet? Where can I buy it?
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Ok, I am going to run some errands and then go check out the 200g. Hope he doesn't want too much for it! *fingers crossed*
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Yeah, I googled the book last night. According to Barnes&Nobles: May 1st.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Ok, here's the deal on the tank!
200g tank with glass canopy(I won't use), Rena cannister filter(I won't use) Cheapo lights(may use since this will be fish only tank) and a chiller(nice will def. use) $400.00 takes all!

So, the deal is made, but he has to remove his freshies and I've got to recruit some help to move it!

Would love to do it tomorrow, but I have plans. Hopefully, next weekend. It will have to go straight to lfs to be drilled and overflow added, then moved to my house.
Any opinions on overflows for this system? I'm thinking two @ 1 inch, or one @ 2inch! If I put baffles on either side of the 90g to slow the flow, or maybe run the overflows into a DIY PVC spray bar on either side of 90g. I am pretty sure I just need a easy flow for lion/scorp. Not too hard. Does that seem right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top