55 gal FO stock list

[teh]

I've been playing around with some ideas for stocking a 55 gal FO tank recently, and this is what i think i've decided on:
(1) Threadfin Butterfly (Chaetodon auriga)
(1) Antenneta Lionfish
(1) Snowflake eel
I'm aware that the threadfin can reach 9 inches, what i'm looking for is more will they all get along? and how hard will it be to feed them? i read the butterfly will not compete for food, and lion's can be finicky eaters...
also any other suggestions/comments are welcome
Thanks in advance

 

[moraym]

The lion will only eat what it can fit in its mouth, so he won't bother anything. And the SFE isn't a big fish-eater, so he won't bug anything. They should all get along.
The antennata can be a finicky eater, but properly weaned off live food onto a steady prepared diet, I've never had a problem with them.

 

[moraym]

Oh yeah, when purchasing the lion, get one that has been eating already in the store. It is much easier to wean dwarf lions off of live food than it is to make them start eating in the first place.

 

[teh]

awesome...that's what i like to hear
thanks for that helpful tip on the lion too, that makes sense...
also, how vital is a protein skimmer to that setup?

 

[moraym]

although I have maintained an aggressive tank without a skimmer, it takes too much maintenance. Luckily, your SFE won't create as much waste as some larger eels, same with your smaller lion. And with your set-up, with just those 3 fish, you should be able to keep a living clean-up crew too. So whereas a skimmer is not essential, I would definitely put it on there if you have the funds. Definitely run RO/DI water with or without a skimmer.

 

[teh]

alright...i'll be in the market for one of those soon then i guess...
any reccomendations for a skimmer? or what to look for in a good skimmer? something affordable but quality...
also reccomendations for a "clean-up crew" (what, how many, etc)?
sorry i'm asking so many questions...those darn fish are just so expensive, i'd prefer to get it mostly right the first time
Thanks again
---edit---
also, the LFS sells RO water for $.50/gallon, is that reasonable?

 

[cgpuffers]

Thats An Awesome Deal On Real Ocean Water! My LFS Charges $1.20 A Gallon and That Gets Expensive With A LArge tank

 

[teh]

well i'm pretty sure it's just plain old RO/DI freshwater, and then you add salt to it...still, i agree that it can get expensive, which is why i'd rather just treat the tap water with the solution i already have...