Opinions on stocking a 260 gallon FOWLR?

cpt flanders

New Member
The original plan was to start with a 75 gallon so that i would have more forgiving tolerances with water quality etc. Well my first marine tank will be a 260 gallon with sump set up and refuguim. I didn't plan on having anything this size, what would you guys stock with if you started a new 260 gallon? I know i want some true perculas, a yellow tang, and a niger trigger. Eventually once im established i would like to get a copperbanded butterfly. Keep in mind this is my first marine tank so nothing too difficult please. With this much room, can i keep more then two clowns?
 

rainbow grouper

Active Member
well I don't reccomend the copperbanded butterfly for one reason in my personal experience its hard to get them to eat anything but aptasia(or to get them to eat anything for that matter in my experience) anemones which are giant pests so i dont think you should start with that also the niger trigger may eat your clowns so its preferably the clowns or the trigger triggers can become semi aggressive with age and prefer a well circulated aquarium also in some places they need high water flow and they also need place were theres low water flow along with lots of overhangs and caves for the trigger to rest in the trigger will also try to ''rearrange'' your aquarium and may cayse avalanches and such as a result I personally don't reccomend it your current would be stocking would probably be fine however if you do get the trigger as it gets older it may pick on the tang yellow tangs tend to be semi aggressive and may pick on the clowns but im not sure well leave the rest to people with more experience than me also you may want to completely rethink your stocking list
 

rainbow grouper

Active Member
ok so i gave you my advice and reccomendations a few days ago and you havent replied so i must ask are you taking them or are you taking my opinions witha grain of salt and doing your own research cause if you are
 

marinecm

New Member
Nice one on getting a 260 gallon that will be alot of fun!!

Anyway I think your stocklist could work but as the copperbanded butterfly fish can be hard to keep and you said that you didnt want this then I would pass and get a easier to keep butterfly fish such as a raccoon.
If you insist on a copperbanded butterfly then get the people at your store to show you it is feeding and that it is in very good health. Also as rainbow grouper said I would pass on the niger trigger, as they get large and with all triggers they can be upredictable. If you want to go with a trigger though I would reccomend the crosshatch trigger or the blue throat trigger as these are the most likely to be safe with the fish you want.
For more than 2 clowns I think that you could get away with 2 or 3 pairs of the clowns you want, just stay away from maroon clowns as these can get nasty with other clownfishes.
For more of a stocklist you could go with
. Some schooling fish such as chromis
. Some angelfishes - Flame angel, potters angel, emperor angel and loads more to choose from but make sure they are compatable.
. Another tang - sailfin tangs are nice as I have one now
. Maybe even a suitable moray eel if you are into that thing ( I know I am
) such as a zebra moray or if you are willing to risk a few small fishes a snowflake, chainlink or even a goldentail.
Hope this helps
 

cpt flanders

New Member
Im still debating on the tank. I am having a hard time figuring out how to transport the water for it. If i do set it up, i will most likely pass on the trigger, and the copperbanded i should have explained that it would be in two or three years at the EARLIEST. Im still debating i do like the idea of maybe four chromis as well.
 
A 260 would be awesome, but have you taken consideration on everything you need to run it? The cost in sand, lr, and salt mix alone will be very expensive. I'm just making sure you have researched that and not all fish like I did. I picked up a 150gallon and was ready to set it up and spaced the fact that my skimmer, amount of sand and live rock just wasnt enough. I have been looking at copperbands as well. Such and awesome fish! Good luck and keep us updated
 
Top