55 Gallon Saltwater Reef

extinct 1ne

extinct 1ne

Member
What do you guys think? Just wanted a quick comment or two.ANYTHING WITH A "*" BY ITS NAME MEANS THAT IT IS ALREADY IN THE TANK.
FISH
TOMATO CLOWNFISH*
POWDER BLUE TANG
STRAWBERRY DOTTYBACK
GREEN CHROMIS*
GREEN MANDARIN DRAGONET
INVERTEBRATES
GREEN BRITTLE STARFISH*
RED & WHITE CONDYLACTUS ANEMONE*
SCARLET CLEANER SHRIMP
HORSESHOE CRAB
TURBO SNAIL*
CORALS & MARINE PLANTS
RICORDEA
MUSHROOMS*
ZOANTHIDS
XENIA
OGO ALGAE
LIVE ROCK
~30 LBS. FIJI FANCY LIVE ROCK*
~10 LBS. FIJI STANDARD LIVE ROCK*
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Your stock list does not sound bad but there are a few flaws that I see with it. The tank does not have enough live rock and is not large enough to support a powder blue tang, green brittle star, or horse shoe crab, three animals that will grow far too large for the aquarium.
 
extinct 1ne

extinct 1ne

Member
lion_crazz - What if I change the Powder Blue to a Hippo/Yellow, Horseshoe Crab is out, Green Brittle Starfish is already in the tank...and I am going to get more Live Rock. Thank you.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
The brittle star is fine in a 55g, but be aware that they can become preditory and catch and eat small fish. I would be wary of a manderin in a 55g as well, they need a large amount of live rock and large population of pods to sustain them unless you can get them to eat prepared foods.
 
davmul

davmul

Member
I would also recomend the Kole Tang. I have one that is doing great in a 55. It may not be as spectacular as a powder blue from across the room, but it is really beautiful up close.
 
M

mr.reef

Guest
kole tang i think is ur best bet. they are great fish and dont get as big as many of the other tangs.. but get more liverock. what a reef with out rock and corals...
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/3049522
The brittle star is fine in a 55g, but be aware that they can become preditory and catch and eat small fish. I would be wary of a manderin in a 55g as well, they need a large amount of live rock and large population of pods to sustain them unless you can get them to eat prepared foods.
I agree - the issue with the green brittlestar is that it is a KNOWN predator in the wild. So you do want to keep it spot fed, and just be aware it could be an issue. I have 3 and have not had a problem but it is possible.
The mandarin would also be a concern - at least until the tank is very established (a year) with more live rock...or if you have one from another hobbyist that takes prepared foods.
Also agree the horseshoe crab is not a good choice. :(
I agree both on the poor choice of the powder blue but the excellent recommendation on the kole

The corals will require relatively moderate lighting - PC or t5s in general, but otherwise are not particularly problematic.
 
extinct 1ne

extinct 1ne

Member
The Kole Tang was my 4th choice, but I think it's pretty with the stripes going down it. Whichever tang I choose, it will be very small (smaller than my pinky finger). Every time I go to the LFS, they tell me a Hippo Tang would be fine [the reason I wanted a saltwater tank]?
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Yes, but it will not stay small. If healthy, it should outgrow the tank quickly. Then what will you do? If you want a longer term tang, IMO, the Kole is the best choice. Also keep in mind how much the LFS is trying to sell you on the spot. Impulse buying is a bit thing for a store. Get them to buy it...Get them to buy it...
BTW, does your LFS have a warranty on their fish? What will they do for you when you need to return the tang because it is too big? What is their buy back percentage (eg what percent of the sale price at that time?)
 
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