Help me pick things for a 400 gallon tank

[aepi_tank]

I have a 400 gallon saltwater fish-tank, and I have no idea where to start filling it with fish, and inverts.
:happy:
The tank belongs to my fraternity, and it is now recently vacant. I have changed the water, and the water levels are all in check.
Post ANY suggestions you have. Think of this as your dream tank, and what would you do with it.
:thinking:
The shape is kinda like this from the top:
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Front:
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There is ample lighting (6 4ft 40 watt bulbs, 3 blue, 3 white).
The tank is about 9.5 feet long, 4 feet back, and 2 feet deep.
It is a spill over filtration system, with bio-balls and a filter.
There is alot of base rock, and a little live rock. I need to buy more rock to make it a better tank anyway, so the type of rock in there now doesn't really matter.
I have plenty of heaters.
Now maybe more on what I am looking for.
Getting money for this tank depends on how much the brothers like it. They would like something more exciting than say a few damsels, clownfish, or (even though I like them) triggers.
I have had suggestions of barracudas, or maybe sharks. I don't think those would be very compatable with anemone or sponge type life, but I may be wrong. I want it to look nice, even without the fish, so inverts and such are a must.
Thanks:help:

 

[clarkiiclo]

Welcome!

First of all that lighting is not enough. You have 6 40w bulbs.
That is 240W total. In a 400 gallon tank?
That is .6W per gallon.
I would suggest at a minimum 4W per gallon.
If you want corals double the lighting to 8W.
You have a few ways to go. You can do a FOWLR(fish on with live rock) tank.
There are plenty of neat fish that would be happy in a 400.
4WPG would be fine for a FOWLR IMO.
If you want to have corals/anemones and such that would be a reef.
Requires the higher lighting and a bit more work.
Can you post some pics of the tank/filters/ect?

 

[robchuck]

The dimensions of your tank are great for sharks. Plus, sharks don't like bright reef lighting or a whole lot of rockwork, so what you already have would work great.
Check out the aggressive forum here for some more ideas.

 

[aepi_tank]

Wow! Sharks! That sounds like it may just work.
It would be exciting, so my fraternity brothers would be willing to pay for the fish, AND it would take fewer fish (thus less money up front) to stock it.
I think I like that idea.
If you could get backt to me as soon as possible as to how the rocks I have should be arranged for the sharks, I would greatly appreciate it.
I just want to know if they would prefer to have open water, cave type structures, or things similar to a reef, which would be basically a solid mound...
Oh, also, I will try to get pics of the tank ASAP.
Thank you!

 

[007]

<---- AEPi Chi Chapter

 

[flatzboy]

You don't need a lot of liverock for sharks and rays either so you probably set with the amou nt you have know. You could also throw in a ray or 2 and maybe a few eels. Also what kind of substrate do you have because sharks and rays need very fine grade sand so they don't scratch there stomachs.

 

[aepi_tank]

<-- Phi Gamma Chapter
Anyways, I don't think the sand is very coarse, but I've seen finer grade sand before, so I'll bring a sample to our local fish store and ask them.
I'm kinda thinking of an aggressive fish tank, it would be more exciting. But I need something in there ASAP. This Sunday (2 days away) begins our Rush (recruitment) Week and we want something in there to impress potential members. But alot of money isn't available just yet.
Perhaps just some damsels? They could get all comfortable in the tank for a little while, and then I could drop in some agressives like groupers, puffers, angels, lions, etc.
Just let me know what you guys think I should do.
Right now I'd like to know what I should get to start the tank, like what kind of living thing, and how the rocks should be arranged. We had to clean them when we changed the water, so they are just sitting in haphazard piles right now.
Thanks

 

[new2u]

i'd get a volitan lion as well as a porc puffer and some groupers that would be an awesome display!

 

[icekitten9]

you sound like you maybe be rushing into something thats going to have a negative outcome.
i would play it safe, and not hastily rush into it. remember its a big investment to have these fish die.
just think about it before you make a quick decision.
i myself am researching like crazy before i even purchase anything. i want to make sure im doing everything correctly.
id be heartbroken if i rushed into it and was disappointed with my fish floating upside down.
take a break and think slowly

 

[aepi_tank]

Thanks, I am doing tons of research before I do anything big. Right now all I have are same little damsels.
I like the yellow tang ideas. I think I'll get the Lions and puffers and groupers. I just need to finalize it with my brothers soon.
Thanks

 

[aepi_tank]

Hey guys, just to update you on the tank, the Damsels are doin pretty well. Only a few have died, but I have noticed that only one species died, the little sargeant majors. I don't really know if they are damsels too, but they were sold to me as damsels. Well, anyways, the other fish are picking on that species and killing them off. Hahaha. I think Sunday I'll be adding another fish or two, real fish this time. I think maybe a yellow tang or two, and maybe a mandarin dragonet.
Thanks Again

 

[cowfishrule]

400g tank would be great for pirahnna's or a red tail cat (if you wanted to do a nice tank that's low maitenance and not too costly)

 

[cowfishrule]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
not to deter you away from salt water or anything...
just offering different options
:happy: