55 gallon Stocking question?

[unknown]

I am begining to set up my 55 agg with a 20 gallon sump.
I would like to put in a SFE or a yellow ribbon eel.
Niger trigger or Humu Picasso Trigger.
Maybe a Yellow Tang
Pair of Clowns
a Blenny of some kinda
And a few damsels.
Sound good or overloaded??
I have a larger tank for the fish like the trigger and tang to go into as they mature.
On a side note I need some good advice on a skimmer setup or DIY plans.
Vince

 

[titan]

Tang-Too big/active for a 55GL tank
Ribbon Eel-with a 90%+ death rate, it's not worth the $$$
Niger Trigger-Can hit 20" with streamers, thats why I'm setting up a 270GL tank
Picasso Trigger-small size will be alright in there for a short period, but sooner than later will need a 90+GL preferable anything 6' at adulthood
I would go with the pair of clowns,blenny, damsels etc. fish of smaller stature; even SFE get big and fat, and eventually dwarf the 55GL.
I assume the tank is un-drilled? I would skim the tank with the 125 Coralife super skimmer, a large eihem or rena canister filter, 4x MJ power heads with x3 1200 up top and a 900 deep in the tank to keep flow through the rocks, approx. 80lbs. of nice LR. It would be a decent set-up without busting your wallet.

 

[unknown]

My dad already has a 300g ready for all these fish so I have a tank to suit them as they mature.
I was thinking I could keep all these fish in the tank for aleast a year. When I get these fish they will only be 3" MAX.
I don't under stand how a yellow tang could not be happy in a 55g for at least a year.
Yes the tank is drilled left coner with two 1/2" overflows and two 3/4 Returns.
I am going to have a MAG 7 or MAG 9 for the return pump.
I am looking at the Terminator II Protein Skimmer. Is this a good skimmer or no?? any other suggestions would help.
Comment good or bad accepted
Vince.

 

[boalgf]

I think you should ditch the trigger idea entirely. You sound like you want a tank stocked to max capacity, so putting such an aggressive fish in a small tank, with an overload of tank mates, you are asking for trouble.
If you get the yellow tang, add it last. Avoid the ribbon eel, they are tough to keep. As long as you get the fish very small (3' is a good size) and ditch the trigger idea, you should be fine. If you don't add more fish, the SFE will not outgrow the tank. You will hear different from others I'm sure, but I am not of the belief that every fish needs a 125 gallon tank or more. My views are based on experience and lean towards a more lax perspective.

 

[unknown]

I think I am going to hold of on the trigger Idea like you all said.
I do want that ribbon eel though. I have been doing my homework and have found out that the biggest reason for a high fatality rate for these animals is that most people have a hard time getting them to eat. The one I am looking at in the LFS is about 3-5 months old about 24" long and eats everything dropped in the tank, Mysis, ghost shrimp, cyclopzees, Brine, feeders, this eel eats it all. and they are selling him for $89.00 seems like a good deal to me.
Vince.

 

[titan]

It's a common misconception when a ribbon is eating in a LFS. You'll take it home all will be well, 4 weeks later stops eating and wilts away to death. I'm not saying they all die but any stress, pestering tankmates can do this moray in. I personally wouldn't attempt it for the past history these guys have. JMO

 

[boalgf]

You can do as you please, of course, but the ribbon eel is more trouble than it's worth. I kept mine alive for 8 months or so through pure determination. Then I sold it with my reef tank to make way for some real eels.

To keep that bad boy alive I had to force feed him mysis shrimp by netting him and holding his jaw open while I shot in the shrimp with a turkey baster. This was after I bought him a small enclosure and filled it with a dozen or so shrimp and small chromis for him to eat at his leisure. He never touched them, so after 2 months I had to force feed him. He then got moved to my reef where I kept it stocked with dozens of shrimp just to keep him alive.
My LFS told me that he was eating like a pig before I bought him. I knew they were lying, I just wanted the eel bad. $89 is a little high. Mid 60's is a more appropriate price. If you buy him, make sure you have a turkey baster handy. I tried other methods I've read about but none worked.

 

[unknown]

I apprecciate your honesty and have decided NOT to buy the eel. They are beautiful creatures but sound like alot of work.
This will be my stocking list
SFE
Niger trigger
Yellow Tang
Pair of Black Oynx Clowns
Lawnmower blenny
mix of 3-6 Blue/Green reef Chromis
I know that you said I should bag the trigger idea but I have keep a NIger Trigger and a Humu picasso in a 55 for alomost 2 years before I got out of the hobby.
I believe that 70lbs of LR a 20 refuge/sump, with a strong skimmer and a large clean up crew will do the trick.
on a side note you have any ideas on which order to add these fish in?? I was thinkning.
SFE
Tang and clowns
Blenny
Chromis
Trigger
In that order
Vince.

 

[boalgf]

You are still overstocked and the trigger is still a bad idea. If you insist though then do this order
Blenny
Chromis (don't do more than 3)
clowns
tang
eel
trigger

 

[natep206]

not saying these are all compatable or the tank is big enought but i would go with
clown trigger
powdered blue tang
pair of clarkis
orange spotted bleenie
and some green chromises
if u wanted damsels or clowns u woulded be able to do the eel sorry
porbly couldnt get all of that in there but out of all those species i would get those types

 

[titan]

/ / / ??? I'd skip the Niger, mine is too big for my 100 let alone a 55.

 

[boalgf]

Don't get a clown trigger or a powder blue, bad ideas for cramped tanks.

 

[unknown]

I do apprecciate all all of the advice.
Think about it though.
I would have a Terminator II Skimmer Running 24/7
a 20 gallon sump/refuge which would total 75G of total volume water.
I will have a 18watt UV Twist Sterolizer.
and if I need more filtration I will install a large canister filter.
So the problem is not filtration it is swimming room. With a 4" Trigger in a 48"LX12"LX18"H
he should not feel cramped.
As for over stocking
The blenny and the Tang eat ROUGHLY the same sheet of Vegieselects
The clowns and the Chromis are minimal
The trigger and the eel will be the dirtiest of the bunch
I am thinkning for a clean up crew like
50 astrea
12 nassareuis snails
6 Trubo snails
x2 cleaner shrimp
MAYBE BIG maybe a Coral Banded Shrimp
How does my plan sound now.
Vince.
P.S. I know I sound like I am not listening but it is because I used to have a 55 gallon with a 50g sump/refuge and I keep in there a Niger Trigger, Humu Picasso Trigger, SFE, and a Dragon eel for year and a half with out a skimmer, Filter canister, and half the time I didnt have a RO unit Yet. That is why I know this setup is possible.

 

[reeftank27]

Originally Posted by Titan
/ / / ??? I'd skip the Niger, mine is too big for my 100 let alone a 55.
They do have small nigers, a small one would be fine in a 55 for a while, i have seen nigers a 2" big. a 55 has plenty of room for that fish.

 

[titan]

A tiny Niger yes it will suffice but if you've ever seen a full grown Niger they get bigger than the width of a 55. I'm by no means a tank cop but 55GL tanks are skinny.

 

[nigerrabit]

Titan,
If people followed your rules for salt water fish, there would be many less in the hobby. First of all, he doesn't need 80lbs of LR right of the bat, and I dont know where you get off saying this is light on the wallet. A skimmer? Why does he have to have a skimmer? Why not just do more frequent water changes if it's a fish only tank? Also 5 power heads?? And then you say this would be a "decent" setup. If he got everything you requested it would be an amazing set up, until you see he only has a few chromis because thats all he can get. You know there is an exact way to do things, which is what yours is, than there are the just getting by ways which work as well. I just don't understand why you say this is light on the wallet. Oh and Titan get ready to preach to me on my stock list:
1 Niger
3 Damsils
1 Chromi
1 Puffer
1 Foxface
Guess what, the niger hasn't touched anything!! Sure he may out grow the tank in a couple years, by then I will be ready for a new fish. ITS A FISH! As much as you would like to think, it isn't human. They're great pets, but you take it too far.

 

[titan]

You seem to be offended! Opinions are like bung holes Nigerrabit we all got one! I didn't say run out and buy 80lbs. of LR, it was a mere suggestion as to what a 55GL tank with a nice rockscape could look like, and over time would be a good target weight of LR. NR if you clearly read the first post "Quote Unknown" I need some good advice on a skimmer set-up? "Un Quote" So I suggested the Coralife SS 125 which is a fairly good skimmer with out a huge price tag; I've got the 220CSS and it works great. I suggested 4 power heads not 5; and you need them for flow and top-water gas exchange; not to mention they are fairly cheap as well. You wouldn't want un-eaten meat settling in LR pores and rotting would you? rather have it blow around until your fishes get around to it. This is not your thread it's unknown's so not sure why your going off topic here? unknown never had a problem with any "suggestion" I've made, as we are all free to do what ever the hell we want. As far as your Niger I assume he's tiny wait till he's about 8+" long and an inch across the belly as mine is, you'll see the triggertude! So NR a tiny Niger in your tank is a temporary residence not a lifer, as for your puffer if it's in the Toby genra no prob, any of the big boys your tank is too small! Foxface will out grow your tank, damsels and chromis are good. You almost sound as if your cartman in incognito! Any other questions or service I may provide for you...I'll be waiting

 

[boalgf]

ITS A FISH! As much as you would like to think, it isn't human. They're great pets, but you take it too far.
NigerRabit,
I was looking over Titans posts to try and figure out where this unexplained outburst came from. I can't see anywhere that Titan gave less than good information. You however give advice that can lead people to believe they can get by on a tank, water, and decorations. Skimmers are very important for fish only tanks and Unknown specifically asked about them. You should have some basis for your rantings, instead of flaming people who gave very reasonable advice that another person had asked for.
Unknown,
You can say what you want, but adding 10+ fish to a 55 gallon tank with some of the fish being a trigger and eel is over stocking. Most hobbyists believe you shoudn't buy a fish that would not be able to live comfortably in the tank for life. I'm not against having a high fish pop. When you combine overstocking with aggression and incompatibility though, it's a bad idea. Seems like you made up your mind though, which makes me wonder why you bother asking. Also, triggers with inverts are a good way to lose money. The SFE might eat them as well.

 

[titan]

Inverts are definately at high risk! To the point my Trigs will bite into a snail and pull them off the glass; then flip them upside down and start pipefittin. Our CB shrimp came out've the rockwork one day with his two large arms torn off, then never saw him again after. Cleaner shrimp did last a long time as the big Niger really enjoyed being cleaned! Until one day I saw him hovering in front of their cleaning station clacking his jaws, next day gone. The red-starry hermit, and these crowned snails are the only ones that can survive, due to hiding/camoflauge during the photoperiod.