Diary Of My Cycled FOWLR Tank!

[robdog696]

The best and worst part about the flame hawk is that it's so active. It's constantly jumping from rock to rock, stopping only to sit and watch any time something in or outside the tank changes. That makes for a great display fish. My clown is rather boring, as he just swims in front of the powerhead all day. But the hawkfish is entertaining and relaxing to watch. The down side is that every time he lands on one of my corals they start to close up. But ultimately, the reason they are labeled "with caution" is because they will eat some inverts like shrimp. I found mine at an lfs that had him eating Marine S pellets. I feed him pellets twice a day and have had no trouble with him bothering anything else in my tank.

 

[estein02]

Alright I'm sold! Now my fish list looks like this:
1. Lawnmower Blenny (I think my tank will be okay...I can see all of the rock through the bottom so it doesn't look like I have to worry about the blenny collapsing my rock work)
2. Percula Clown
3. Sixline Wrasse
4. Foxface
5. Flame Hawkfish
6. Flame Angel
What do you think of the order in which I have them?
I was thinking about a Maroon Clown instead of the Percula but I read that they can be aggressive. Have you found yours to be aggressive towards other animals in your tank?

 

[robdog696]

LOL! Maroons are the LEAST aggressive clown. The clown in the pic above was hiding in a small corner of my LFS owner's display tank because the two perculas would beat up on him if he took up any of the 290 gallons of the 300 gallon tank that they thought were theirs. They are also very hardy. For that reason, whatever clown you get I would add them first. I don't know how well blennies and hawkfish get along, though. You might want to ask someone more experienced.

 

[estein02]

On all of the sites that I have looked at they state that the Maroon is aggressive, guess I should do a little more reading. Also, from what I have read the blenny and hawkfish would ge along. Thanks again for your help.

 

[robdog696]

Most of my knowledge comes from my LFS owner, who is very helpful. Unlike most store owners, he will sit and chat with me for hours if I let him. LOL! From what he has told me young maroons are very peaceful. It's when they get older that they become more aggressive. Even then it's because they become territorial. Like I said, mine already has a favorite spot in the tank. His all seem to have one as well. I was in the same boat you are. When first starting, all you have to go by is what you read. I was lucky enough to find a GREAT lfs. I trust everything he tells me above anything I read. He hasn't steered me wrong yet. In fact, my only regrets are things I did NOT listen to him on. Either way, ANY clownfish will make a great addition to any reef aquarium! Again, your tank is just so awesome! I hope mine looks that good after I move it to my new 125! You did a great job stacking your rock! My flame hawk would LOVE all that tonga branch! LOL!

 

[estein02]

Thanks again...If I can find a small Maroon that is probalby the direction I would go, I think that they are great looking. Thanks again for the complements on my tank. I had to rearrange the LR once to how it looks now...looked like a mess the first time I set it up. You are lucky to have a reliable LFS. The one that I got my CUC from has great looking tanks, but I haven't been able to establish a relationship yet with their main person, working on it though. The store is a little further away but worth the trip! I'm thinking about adding zoas to the tonga branch but will wait until my tank matures some. Thanks again for your help.

 

[estein02]

This is the first time that I have tested for Alkalinity and Calcium and I think my KH level is too high. Anyway, here are the results:
Temp: 80 (having a difficult time keeping it lower since the temperature has gone up. might need to get a small fan)
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 8.2
Amm, Trites and Trates: 0ppm
dKH: 11.5
Calcium: 400ppm
For the pH, Amm, Trites and Trates I am using an API test kit and for Alk and Calc I am using Salifert. Assuming I tested accurately, what should I do to lower the Alk levels?
TIA