reef vs aggresive tank

[dicemanj]

I think I got most of the reef options down. Couple questions of aggresive set ups. I posted in the agr forum but did not get a responce.
Is LS still better than CC for an aggresive set up, is 3-4 inches still needed?
Will trigers and puffers eat haitian anenomes, and leathers. I know they will eat my shrooms and shrimp, but what about these. I also have a sun coral, bright orange, comes out in the dark, will they eat that also?

 

[fender]

For an aggresive I would go bare bottom or at least a very fine sandbed (less than one inch). I don't know about the anemone/fish issue, but most likely one or the other could eat each other.

 

[dicemanj]

for my own knowledge, why would you want a smaller sand bed for aggresive fish, I have read .5-1 inch, but no explanation of why.

 

[dicemanj]

one more ?
How much LR for aggresive?

 

[fender]

You want less of a sand bed so you can clean up easier - food won't settle and get buried - you have limits on a clean up crew so the filter has to get rid of the waste and/or you have to siphon it out periodically. Aggresive fish tend to be messy eaters and the critters needed to keep a DSB healthy don't mesh well with most aggresive fish.
LR for agressive would be the same as for reef (1-2lbs per gallon depending on how porous the rock is), but I would forgo the fancy stuff and stick with base rock and maybe a couple nice pieces to top off. You are wanting biofiltration the LR provides.
.02

 

[squidd]

I run both and Fender pretty much hit it on the head...
DSB and Aggressive aren't a good mix...Mechanical filtration and siphoning the bed will "most likely" be neccessary...Many of the bethnic aggresive fish will appreciate the sand bed over the CC.
Lots of Live rock will help with "biological" filtration but you may want to add a "fuge" with Macros to place "some" of the rock as you will want more open space and open bed in the tank for inhabitants...I'm not talking a "Bare" tank, just less than you might normally see in a reef setup...

 

[dicemanj]

Thanks for the quick responses.
How do you syphon out water in the sand without syphoning out the sand?
I currently have CC and I syphon that, but it seems like the sand would be syphoned out also.
I fuge is not an option at this time. I may have to do more water changes then I sould, but i think this will work.
Best fish picks for the 55 gal, I am all set with the 125.
Any opinion on the anenome or the sun coral polyp?

 

[dicemanj]

one more? What about a CB shrimp?

 

[fender]

Spot siphon to minimize sand loss or use a turkey baster. Just stirring it up and letting a mechanical filter/sponge grab it may be easier.
I say forego the anemone and the polyps would probably depend on the fish you plan to keep.

 

[fender]

CB shrimp would taste just fine to a puffer or trigger and they would appreciate the snack.