converting a 90 to 185 gallon, stocklist questions

[fite4fun]

I have not posted much on this site, however I read the advice given here often. When I first joined I was advised that my tank was too small for my fish and recently bought a 185 gallon tank that is getting set up the weekend after New Years. My current stock list is Blue Face Angel, Maroon Clown, SF eel, and clown trigger (less than 2 inches).
My first question is regarding the tank conversion. My LFS has advised me that there is no need to cycle the new tank since we will utilize the existing sand bed and water to make it more like a 50% water change. My bio wheel will come over and we will add a compartment of bio balls as well. I have a skimmer rated for 250 gallons and a UV sterilizer for 250gallons as well. Any issues with the LFS advice on conversion? advice?
Secondly, my stock list. The clown trigger obviously stands out and I know I may have to get rid of him. My BF angel is much larger however I know there are overnight changes as the Clown gets bigger. Has anyone had succes with large angels and Clown Triggers? Maybe get rid of the clown and replace with a humu last a couple months after conversion? I am also looking for suggestions on wrasses and tangs that would do well in this setup. Thanks guys.

 

[rcreations]

When I upgraded from 65 gal to 150, I didn't cycle the 150. I transfered the sand and the LR, then put the fish in. No fish died, no ammonia or nitrite spike, it all went smoothly. Do you currently have any LR? (live rock) Honestly, I'd be nervous to do this if I only had the sand to transfer.

 

[fite4fun]

No liverock, only sand, I feed algae daily for the Angel. I treated the tank with cupramine early and unfortunately could never get all the copper out of the system. I have thought about putting my BF Angel in a QT tank until I am sure the larger tank is cycled only because he is my favorite, most expensive, and I cannot fit any others in a 30 gallon QT.

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by RCreations http:///forum/thread/382477/converting-a-90-to-185-gallon-stocklist-questions#post_3338224
When I upgraded from 65 gal to 150, I didn't cycle the 150. I transfered the sand and the LR, then put the fish in. No fish died, no ammonia or nitrite spike, it all went smoothly. Do you currently have any LR? (live rock) Honestly, I'd be nervous to do this if I only had the sand to transfer.
I did the same thing from a 40 to a 155. No issues.
I added sand, then topped it off with the sand from my 40G and a 20G I also had which helped. I also transferred over the same sump, so it basically was a water change into a bigger tank rather than cycling. Just keep water on hand in case you have any spikes and need to do a water change quick.

 

[fite4fun]

Thanks will do. I have everything ordered and ready to go for that weekend. Any advice on the stocklist? do you guys think the clown trigger needs to go or can he coexist with my BF Angel?

 

[rcreations]

Hard to say. I had a clown trigger and the bigger it got the more agressive it became. Had to trade it in. But I still think a clown trigger can be kept in a community tank as long as it has the right tank mates. It's important for it to be the only alpha fish. In your case, I think you'll have problems with it and the BF angel. Wrasses, again are gonna be a problem with the CT because they're agressive as well, at least the big ones are.
I think you'll be better off switching to a Humu.

 

[mjm889]

i agree with rcreations, my clown triggger got bigger and more agressive as well. my humu humu i have now is pretty aggresive as well towards food otherwise he leaves the other fish alone. i switch my 100 gallon to my 135 gallon without anyproblems i just out everthing from the old tank into the new and added the 35 gallons of water

 

[deejeff442]

aggressive fish is a tricky business.i had a cherry grouper that ate a lionfish almost 2/3 its size.when i looked in the tank i only saw about a 1/4 inch of a fin sticking out of the mouth of the grouper.
i would say a clown trigger is for a specimen tank.

 

[mjm889]

did your grouper die??????

 

[deejeff442]

took him back to the fish store.he also beat my 5 inch wrasse to death.nasty fish.

 

[mjm889]

ouch sounds like a real treat, The only recent story i had is when my pinktail trigger and bursa trigger were fighting over food and my pink tail but him right below the mouth and would not let go. Pretty much killed him at that point

 

[fite4fun]

Well guys I think that seals the deal on my CT. MJM889 does your humu get along with your Emperor? Thinking about taking out the CT, letting my BF get even bigger and then adding a small humu last. I love the personality triggers have, me being a fighter they just appeal to me. Thanks for all the advice guys, my LFS will have no problem finding a happy home for my CT.

 

[mjm889]

yes my humu and emperor get along just fine got them at the same time, My emperor is a juvi and eats like a big i cant wait to to watch change into an adult

 

[palmer373]

i would get a niger instead of a humu but the humus stay smaller so its your choice. GL!

 

[fite4fun]

Ok, I took all of your advice and here is the new plan: the addiction has consumed me and I am keeping my 90 gallon up and running along with my 185. My 185 will be all my peaceful fish and my 90 will be an aggressive species tank. I am getting rid of the clown trigger as it is already getting aggressive and biting fish and it is not 2 inches. In my 90 I will keep my medium SF eel and I am getting a small Golden Heart Trigger. I figure I will be able to keep it for a couple years until it outgrows my tank and with a fish that rare I will have no problem finding a happy home in a large tank for him. I have done all the research and with so many varying opinions (aggressive/non aggressive) on this trigger, I think it is best he live alone with the eel who he wont pay attention to. Anyone have any experience with this fish? any tips? I am not putting any fish in the 90 for several weeks until I am sure there will be no recycling etc since most of it will move to the 185. The eel will go in first for a few weeks with some damsels. The GHT will stay in QT for about a month once he arrives.

 

[rcreations]

I had a GHT. It didn't seem all that agressive. The other fish gave it space and it never bothered them either.
It's a cool looking fish but I ended up selling it because it was way too reclusive. It never came out of its cave except to eat. Don't know if it's just the one I had or if all of them are like that, but personally I don't like to keep fish that hide all the time.