Lions Puffers in a Marine Planted Tank

jamirlima

Member
Can semi aggressive fish like lion, puffers go along well in a marine planted tank? I heard that tangs love to eat the macros but not sure if lions and puffers will eat too.
Any idead or suggestions!!! Thanks
 

aw2x3

Active Member
You won't have anything to worry about, from the Lions but Puffers will pick at anything. Probably wont "eat" it, but it'll sure pick it to death.
 

maddog0118

Member
I personally think it depends on the puffer itself, my guy is great with my corals, other fish, anemones and live rock. We do feed him every day however so I think that might also keep him from eating things we don't want him to. Good luck!
 

jamirlima

Member
Thanks. What kind of sand is good for marine plants? I have some fine white sand and crushed corals and some live sand but the bed is only around 2-3 inches.
People say for marine plant i should have 5-6 inches.
 

jon321

Member
What kind of "plants" are you wanting exactly? macroalgae like caulerpe will grow any sand, rock, etc. If your wanting vascular plants like the various sea grasses, youll need stronger lighting and a deep bed of fine sand.
Jon
 

jamirlima

Member
Thanks Jon. Yeah my friend told me the same. I think for seagrass like turtle I need very strong light and deep sand bed. But for macro like calurpa maybe less. How about shaving brush?
More light - more growth that was what I was told with macros like calurpa. So can i just use the stock light that came with the tank which is 2 30 watts 50/50 lights? its 36 inches long lights.
 

jamirlima

Member
How about Gracilaria family....and halimeda, Sargassum, sea lettuce? do they also need more lights and deep sand? i am new and learning now with marine plants.
 

jon321

Member
Id definitely recommend PC lighting for ANY marine plants. I had 2x18w 50/50 bulbs over a 20g tank and the caulerpa would only survive on the upper reaches of the rockwork mere inches from the waters surface. I added another 2x18w 50/50 and the caulerpa thrived in the top half of the tank but would not grow in the bottom half of the tank, and it was only 18" deep. If you want to try caulerpa with your current lighting the hardiest species are definitely C. taxafolia, C. mexicana, and C. prolifera. Ive found C. racemosa absolutely thrives in higher light, but doesnt seem to tolerate lower lighting.
Halimeda and shaving brush need calcium and Ive found they really only thrive in a reef tank. I have no experience with sargassm but Id assume it needs higher light as its a floating plant. Id also assume the various kelps are similar.
Hope that helps a little.
Jon
 

jamirlima

Member
Thanks Jon. That was very helpful. I think I will just get a higher lighting. Do you know where I can buy some of this algae online? Our local stores carry mostly cheato and not much of other stuff. Thanks
 

jamirlima

Member
C. taxafolia, C. mexicana, and C. prolifera
I like all these 3 that you mentioned. I have 2 30 watts 50/50 on my 125 gallon which is around 72" long and around 24" tall. So that light would not be enough. But someone said more light means more growth. One of the reasons I want the plants is because they look nice and also to nitrate transport since i dont have sump. I dont want those algae to take control of the tank though.
 

cafero702

Member
Originally Posted by maddog0118
http:///forum/post/2545345
I personally think it depends on the puffer itself, my guy is great with my corals, other fish, anemones and live rock. We do feed him every day however so I think that might also keep him from eating things we don't want him to. Good luck!
i agree with this guy it depends on the puffer! almost eveyrone one is diffrent they all have diffrent personalitys. friends i know have some mean dogface puffers but my porcupine puffer is awesome with anything i have soft coral all threw out my tank polyps macro algae for my tangs and leathers my puffer wont even go after hermit crabs
the only thing he has ever been aggresive too is when i put another puffer in my tank after my porc puffer was in there for already 6 months lol
there very territorial
and lions wont eat any plants in my opinion they cant nip or bite things they just swallow or gulp things and if its too big to fit in his mouth most the time they wont try unless its fish
 

jon321

Member
Originally Posted by jamirlima
http:///forum/post/2545812
C. taxafolia, C. mexicana, and C. prolifera
I like all these 3 that you mentioned. I have 2 30 watts 50/50 on my 125 gallon which is around 72" long and around 24" tall. So that light would not be enough. But someone said more light means more growth. One of the reasons I want the plants is because they look nice and also to nitrate transport since i dont have sump. I dont want those algae to take control of the tank though.
I would be surprised if the caulerpa would survive under that lighting unless you place it on rockwork within a few inches of the waters surface. I dont think youll ever get "take control of the tank" growth out of normal output bulbs, I had 72watt over 18" deep and the caulerpa grew well, but it still took months to replenish itself after I thinned it out. Additionally, you need enough lighting that the algae grows at a faster pace than it dies or else it will just slowly diminish. You should be able to get caulerpa from a local aquarist for cheap or free, so its not expensive to test things yourself and see if your tank is suitable or not.
Jon
 
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