Undecided - advice appreciated

rockfanmidsouth

rockfanmidsouth

New Member
I have always had brackish water tanks - African cichlids mostly. 110 gal all the way down to 10's. I have always been both fascinated and intimidated by saltwaters - their beauty is just breath taking. Became a momma and gave up the fish hobby for about 20 years. Empty nesting now and would love to get back into it. I want a salt tank but don't have alot of room. I will tell you all what I like and maybe you can give me advice on what would work best. Any thoughts and tips would be appreciated.

I can accomodate up to a 40 gal
I LOVE Volitans (I would probably have to go with the dwarf species due to small tank size)
Also inverts and live rock / coral
Clowns, Tangs and Triggers are also fav......
Ok folks - have at it...

Wendy
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Hi Wendy!
Welcome to the site.
A 40g breeder is a nice size tank..You can put a lionfish in there. CUC might be a challenge since they eat snails and crabs for snacks.
A saltwater tank is no real difference from a brackish one, just a tad more salt.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Fu Manchu Lionfish would be perfect for you. They are a harder to get to eat frozen food, so marine ghost shrimp need to be purchased along with this fish until he eats frozen.
 
rockfanmidsouth

rockfanmidsouth

New Member
Excellent! Thanks for the comments... I do like The Fu Manchu but was leaning more towards a Dwarf Fuzzy? Not sure, still have to get thing rearranged at home and find a tank for a decent price.. Flower, forgive my ignorance, but what is a CUC? Are you saying that I can't have inverts or live rock with a Volitan? I have been viewing tanks on this site and see that some people have a "live reef" maybe thats an option. I could have some inverts and shrimp and crabs, would a 40 support that as well as possibly some small fish? Damsel, clown, goby?
Hope you all have a great day!!
Wendy
 
S

smallreef

Guest
a CUC is a Clean Up Crew, compromised of all of the snails, crabs other inverts you would have...
and keep in mind that is it not a Volitan.... it is a Lionfish (a Volitans is a specific kind of lionfish that gets VERY big...)
A fuzzy dwarf has the same challenges as the Fu man chu but easily overcome once you get them on frozen food...
You can DEFINITELY have Live rock!! its great for the system..
you will have to be very specific with any tank mates you choose as lionfish have big mouths and tend to swallow smaller tankmates, so things like gobies and small Clowns and shrimp are not suited to live with him
 
rockfanmidsouth

rockfanmidsouth

New Member
Smallreef: Thanks for the knowledge :) Lionfish it is. I will research and post questions here prior to adding anything. I am going to Selmer TN this weekend to look at at tank.
A guy is selling a 90 gallon fresh setup for $350 - I have NO IDEA where I will put it if I decide to get it but thats a good deal.... The couch may have to be replaced with bean bags... ;-)
I appreciate you guys responding :)
Gemmy: Agreed! ;)
FL Joe : I pm'ed her yestrerday. Will await a response.. I am getting SO excited. I have missed my tanks so much, they were always such a stress reducer.....
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
A 90g will fit where a 55g or 75g will...it's just a little wider but the same length. LOL...my house is tiny, a big screen TV that is mounted on the wall will make room for that (love seat size) sofa.
 
rockfanmidsouth

rockfanmidsouth

New Member
I BONUSED! Found a 70 gallon corner unit for sale locally. The guy was moving and wanted $400. We went bank and forth thru emails and I got him down to $280. I was STOKED about that and told him to call today when he got home and I would come check it out. He emailed and said that he got the tank and stand down and saw that there were some scratches in the front lower corner and he felt bad about it so I could have it for $100 if I still wanted. I HAULED TAIL and its now in my garage!!! :) Tomorrow will be spent rearranging the living room to make room :)
And so it begins...................... ;-)
 
rockfanmidsouth

rockfanmidsouth

New Member
WOW - researching filters and MAN there are lot to choose from.
I have a plan in my head of what I want:
Live rock for sure
coral
anenomes
Fish
In my reading I have found that some fish will eat the live coral and/or anenomes and that some anenomes will even eat live coral -SO
I have got to research what fish will go with what inverts. Lots to learn - When the tank is setup and ready, what are the odds I can have all this and a fuzzy too? Hmmmmur m
Ok salt peeps, drop your knowledge bombs on me.
Going to pour a nice tall crown & diet and google my brains out on saltwater info..... peace....... :)
W
 
S

smallreef

Guest
okay... no anemone for ATLEAST 6 months after all set up and running GREAT..
anemones do not eat corals.. unless you LITERALLY put it on its tentacles... though it will eat just about any fish (other than a clown , and if its just a bubble tip anemone) that comes close enough.. RESEARCH what type of anemone you want...some get huge
FIlters... are you going to have a sump or is everything going to hang off the back (HOB)??
think about what corals and inverts you want first, then what fish you want and if they can go together....
lastly... a fuzzy dwarf lionfish is probably out.. just sayin
and buy LOTS OF BOOKS!!!!
 
rockfanmidsouth

rockfanmidsouth

New Member
Thanks smallreef. I spent the better part of the night reading info from various sites..... I am a long way from adding any residents and I will take your advice on the anenomes :) Researched about possible tank mates for a fuzzy and got Niger Trigger, Jewel Damsel, Pink Tail Trigger and Powder Blue Tang as the best options. With the limited space I have, I am looking at a HOB refugium system that includes a protein skimmer. Had another user say that was an excellent filtation system. Have to clean the tank today and see how bad the scratches are, then the hit the lfs to see what filtration systems they offer. You guys have been great to respond to my questions. I really appreciate it :) nice to meet new people who enjoy the same things you do and are willing to share what they have learned :) Have a good day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by smallreef http:///t/390041/undecided-advice-appreciated#post_3452172
okay... no anemone for ATLEAST 6 months after all set up and running GREAT..
anemones do not eat corals.. unless you LITERALLY put it on its tentacles... though it will eat just about any fish (other than a clown , and if its just a bubble tip anemone) that comes close enough.. RESEARCH what type of anemone you want...some get huge
FIlters... are you going to have a sump or is everything going to hang off the back (HOB)??
think about what corals and inverts you want first, then what fish you want and if they can go together....
lastly... a fuzzy dwarf lionfish is probably out.. just sayin
and buy LOTS OF BOOKS!!!!
 
S

smallreef

Guest
Oh keep in mind NO TRIGGER with lionfish,, the triggers will pick at the fins of the lions and kill them ,I unfortunently did not know this when i started and my nice, sweet picasso killed my fu man chu :(
Only non-aggressive tank mates like the anthias, basslets, even maybe some damsels (though then you cant really put other fish in there cuz they are mean as they get bigger)
 
rockfanmidsouth

rockfanmidsouth

New Member
well that stinks... :( Triggers are awesome........ May have to consider a smaller setup elsewhere in the house for a lion and use the 70 for a community reef tank.
BRAIN OVERLOAD, TOO MUCH INFORMATION, WARNING WARNING..... lol Alot to think about while I get it setup and cycled.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Got a Pinktail with a lionfish in a swimmer tank. Do your research, it's possible, just have to put the right combo together. Mine have been together for 3 years. Never any aggression between the two. Pinktail added after the lion.
 
S

smallreef

Guest
I dont think a small fuzzy or other dwarfs can be with triggers,,, my triggers were the sweetest fish,, but they got to big and the humma just started to pick my fu man chu to death...
 
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