agressive or not agressive FO tank ??

[califishnut]

What are the pros and cons of each i am having a hard time deciding what to do a agressive or non agressive ..i like the crabs and shrimp and clams so i think a non agressive would prob be best for me what do you guys/gals think ?
Dennis

 

[jrein40806]

You can't have any agressive fish with a reef system. Triggers will even chew on live rock. I was going to do the agressive at first. I like the lionfish,triggers,sharks,etc....but I changed my mind. I think the reef tanks look the best. I know a reef system can be a little more challenging than a fo tank.

 

[fulcrum]

There are lots of restrictions in this hobby with any type of tank.
If you like the inverts, I would stay away from an aggresive tank.
I agree with Jrein. I think the aggressive fish are a little heartier, and easier to keep for a first time SW tank. You just have to be careful on what species you add, and in which order you add them.
Either way I would make sure you invest in enough live rock and a deep sand bed to give you the basic tank platform. Then decide after you see what comes on your live rock. You may fall in love with some hitchikers that would get chomped up in an agressive tank.
(you could also do what I did and get both )

 

[califishnut]

thanks guys but a reef tank scares me i think ill kill everything in it i dont know enough about the lights and so on

 

[simm]

Start out with a FOWLR like I did then gradualy move into a reef when you learn and get more experiance on lighting, filtration, water params and so on. You'll be amazed how fast you will learn here.

 

[jrein40806]

I went with power compact lights(PC's) But metal halide seem to be the lights that everyone really favors. A lot depends on the types of corrals you want to keep. Lighting is an expensive part but an important part. With a fish only you don't need to worry about the lighting nearly as much,

 

[newbe reefer]

You don't have to worry about the whole "reef" thing right now. Others have suggested FOWLR and I agree this would be a really good start. This way you can have all the cool inverts ie;shrimp, hermits, crabs, worms and so on. Often I find these things are more fun to watch than the fish, they just swim around
But with this set-up you can go "reef" down the road if you choose. I would put in a DSB and at least some if not all LS.
Just remember with a aggressive tank all you'll have is fish.
Good luck,
NewBe