55 gal FOWLR

jawfish177

Member
55 gal FOWLR... tank has been cycling for 1 1/2 weeks... how much longer should we wait for the cycling process.. all parameters (ammonia, PH, nitrite, nitrate) are normal when we have them check at the LFS... i guess BioZyme works... we will monitor this as we progress...
wet/dry filter, CC/sand combo, 20 lbs live rock
things to buy: protein skimmer
want to stock: 1 purple tang, 1 butterfly fish,1 jawfish, 1 flame angel... is this feasible? what order should we introduce them?
we also need a clean-up crew.. we currently have 2 snails in there... suggestions?
any other suggestions?
thanks again...
 

jawfish177

Member
21 looks and no reply... come on people, i need some advice here... <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
 

locke

New Member
What type of butterfly fish? if its a juv. Copper Band you'll be ok. The Flame will be fine, but the Purple Tang, i don't know the tank seems a little small to put a tang in as they like to swim a lot. If its small do it for a little while but move to a bigger tank.
 

jawfish177

Member
that's what i'm talking about.. thanks for the advice... me and my bro will prolly want a bigger tank (100 gal) in the near future (1 year)...
do i need to put additives like Calicium to stimulate the live rock or to make them healthy... what do they need to improve their efficiency in filtration?
additives we have: Calcium, Strontrium, Iodine, Reef Buffer, Reef Builder..
 

ckkihei

Member
I completely agree with JW......a 55ga is too small for a tang. I would also suggest that you add 30 - 40 lbs of live rock a few weeks before adding your fish......best piece of advice I can offer you is to GO SLOW and BE PATIENT. Always wait at least a week or more between adding each fish. :)
 

ckkihei

Member
oops!! sorry Jaw. just re-read your post and see thAt you already have some LR. You might want to add another 15 - 20 lbs......that's what I'm adding to mine this weekend.
 

koiman6

Member
For the order of introducing them
1. Jawfish
2. Butterfly
3. Flame Angel
4. Purple Tang
If you change your mind on the fish selection, but still want the Angel and Tang, put the angel in second to last and tang last. The reason is dwarf angels can become fairly aggressive and you want his tankmates to be fully settled in and the tang will become somewhat teritorial so put him in last so the other fish can setup their teritories. In the end this will result in a rather peaceful tank. I think the amount and size of fish might be a little too much but if you buy them small it will probably work.
 

jawfish177

Member
this is exactly how i'm going to introduce the fishes with 1 or 2 weeks interval..
1. Jawfish
2. Butterfly
3. Flame Angel
4. Purple Tang
thank you again for your replies...
 

jawfish177

Member
most likely the threadfin or tinker's
i've heard that they're some of the hardier ones...
what would be a good one? i would like one with yellow on it and one that will not grow too big..
 

mike j

Member
I have the threadfin, which, I think is the most beautiful butterfly around. It is as hardy as butterflies get and only gets to be about 5 inches max length. Try to pick one that isn't hiding at the store, it will most likely be a good addition and won't be shy. Mine doesn't bother touching my anemones or feather duster *knocks on wood*
 

mike j

Member
I've never seen one 9 inches. I've read that they only get that big in the wild and will rarely exceed 5 inches in the aquarium...I have been wrong before though :)
 

jawfish177

Member
thanks for the input.. i will re-think my options...
okay: so no BF's and no tangs???
i'm stuck with the jawfish and an angel.. what else would be a good addition...
i might as well just do a reef tank... <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
 
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