My 1st post -purchasing a saltwater "show tank" set up--thoughts?

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G

Gsiegel

Feeder Fish
Jul 14, 2012
3
0
0
Palm Beach FL
Hi all. My first post.

I have had a freshwater tank years ago and now fortunately have the means to put in a saltwater tank that I want to do right the first time. Being realistic I will do the basic maintenance and have someone come in once a month to do the rest. I thought of a reef tank but more work than I want to put into it and I think my family with 2 kids (ages 8 and 10) will be happier with a community saltwater fish aquarium.

I have a large open floor plan and this is going to be the centerpiece.

I did some searching and settled on using All Fish Emporium in Fort Lauderdale area (dealing with Keith David who seems great).

Here are the specs for the set up - please comment:
310 Gallon Starphire Tank 80 x 30 x 30
LC 400 Gallon Wet Dry Filter
SE Reeflo Snapper 2500 GPH Pump
13 bags of Bimini Pink Sand
CL 36W Turbo Twist UV Sterilizer
Sup Mag 3 Drive Water Pump
AI Sol White Lighting (4 of them for this tank) - do you recommend the white or the blue???
AI Sol/Nano Base Controller
Living Color from Fort Lauderdale (who is on the other TV show - not Tanked) - is constructing artificial reef structures which will also hide the pipes in the tank

I know to add the fish slowly but ultimately am looking at adding some of these (of course not all) fish:
Blue spotted ray (definite)
white spotted or brown banded bamboo shark
Panther grouper
Comet
Hawkfish- flame, long nose
Spinecheeks - blue whip tail
*Angels - likely a couple smaller and larger ones added as juveniles together; small - bi-color, flame, coral beauty, bellus, blue spotted; larger- scribbled, blue, queen, emperor, tellow bar, blue faced
Clownfish (of course have to have Nemo for the kids)
Wrasse- ie: scott's fairy, exquisite fairy, solar fairy, ornate, 6-lined, moon, rainbow
Spotted mandarin, green mandarin fish
Surgeonfish-Achilles Tang and Powder Blue Tang (my 2 favorites), sailfin tang, purple tang, unicorn tang
Maybe a less aggressive trigger such as a blue chin or cross hatch
Pufferfish

Any thoughts from you experts out there as far as suggestions with the equipment and also with suggestions for the fish to add (would love a couple of ideas for something REALLY cool looking and unique).

Thanks so much from this newbie, 1st posting member!
 
From personal experience, the Clown Trigger is a beautiful specimen, that is actually quite peaceful in a community Fish Only set-up. A display tank at my LFS keeps several larger angels and tangs, including the Blue Face, and the Regal Blue, with the Clown. There are also a few Surgeons, and a Blue line grouper, but IMO, the Clown is the centerpiece.
The Dogface Puffer has an amazing personality, and has been compared to the household dog. He'll learn to recognize you, and truly interact with you throughout the day.
The ray sounds epic though. I don't know how that would work with a shark, and based on your maintenece regime, I wouldn't recommend the shark. They tend to be a bit of work, from what I've heard anyway. And I'm sure there would be some sort of aggression towards the ray.
Hope this gives you a bit more insight :p
BTW, pics when you can. ^.^
 
Thanks. I also love the clown trigger but thought it would be too agressive but will certianly follow up with the clown.

I also love the dogface puffer (I have 3 real dogs who I am sure will be interested in the goings on in the tank too).

I will post pics when the tank is up and running but it will be about 6-8 weeks to build the tank (she is fortunately busy) and then the time to cycle it a bit before adding some specimen fish.
 
Perspnally i would not add triggers or big angels with rays and slower bottom dwellers. Also the clown might not work with big predators like the grouper. Since you're going with big predators why not get an eel, like a goldentail (very attractive but relatively peaceful)

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