Stocking the tank

[axs377]

looks like you got some good quality LR there. what's the orange thingum? i'd add a wavemaker or two to that tank though.

The orange thing is some kind of sponge. I have a pump on the left side (can't really see in the pic) that is adding quite some flow across the front of the rocks. The pump was bought to build a sump in addition to the canisters, but never worked out; I believe it runs 600gph. The clown actually has a tough time swimming against the current directly in front of it. My wife aand I just put an offer in on a house, so I'm not sure what to do as far as moving everything or selling it and starting over with a bigger tank I was informed by a local shop owner that oceanic now makes a starfire 300 gallon tank, reef ready for $1,700. Wife would kill me though, so I may just break this down and start again.

 

[axs377]

looking good so far

Thanks

 

[axs377]

ok, the wife said if I get a bigger tank right now, that I will not be moving into the new place with her. So I will be moving the 220. I've decided on a final stocking list: 1 Emperor angel, 1 yellow tang, 1 niger trigger, 1 harlequin tusk wrasse, and Tom my tomato clown if he survives the move (and new tank mates). I was debating a lionfish intially, but feel he might need a bigger tank than a 220 as he will be as wide and tall as he is long. Well I'm hoping that if I move the filters full of water and sevral buckets that I can continue my cycling without too much interuption. I'll also be ordering the following at the end of august when I get my performance bonus from work:
Lighting : http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CU01081~idCartRow~10979312~isKit~0.html I'm going with only a 4' strip as I have decided on a fish only tank with some live rock. Howeve when I get my 8'-10' tank I can buy another 4' t5 strip and if I'm growing corals a couple metal halide strips.

Skimmer: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~AQ1113~idCartRow~10979311~isKit~0.html This was offered as a better option than the skimmer I had originally picked.

water movement: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~HD19201~idCartRow~10979313~isKit~0.html Two of these to replace the current pump I have running.

More filtration: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~AP7313~idCartRow~10979314~isKit~0.html I will likely fill it up with bio-balls and I will be attaching my UV sterilizer to the return hose to free up space in the tank.

Another heater: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~AP7159~idCartRow~10979315~isKit~0.html The aquarium is going in a basement and another 300 watts of heat can't hurt, plus this will be out of sight.


This hobby is getting more and more expensive. It's a damn shame that my other hobby ( playing with cars) is even more expensive. Of course we may not be moving if our offer is declined I'll keep you guys updated (with pics) as the tank evolves (and maybe moves). Also one quick question about the fish; What order should they be introduced to the tank?

 

[sweeTang21]

tank is really looking good, stocking list is look good as well. as for fish, the most aggressive last. i would go tang, angel trigger and tusk shortly after. You have a be careful because IMO an aggressive tank is hard to stock and most of the time you have to break the rules, meaning usually you give a week or two before adding another fish. In this case, i would add the trigger and tusk either together or one shortly after the other. try to buy smaller sized fish as well, this will reduce strain on your water chemistry and chance of disease.

Have you thought about a QT system or a plan incase of a disease breakout??

 

[axs377]

Have you thought about a QT system or a plan incase of a disease breakout??

Actually I was going to setup a 20 gallon tak with the basics... water, heat, and a pump for cirrculation. I figured I'd do a short QT, then add the fish. I'm definately going with small sized fish, as the emperor and tusk fish are quite pricey. If disease breaks out I guess I'd have to treat the whole tank depending on what it was.

 

[sweeTang21]

i would say get a 29 gallon with the basics. A bit more cost but more suitable if disease does break out you can remove the directly infected fish, provided it was caught early enough, and hope no other fish catch it. The normal process is to let the tank sit fallow for 3-5 weeks depending on the disease's life span, and then re introduce the fish once clear of infection.

I would still suggest this method in FOWLR's because using anything copper based may hurt your chances at coral down the road, and will possibly affect your tanks biological stability.

 

[welsher7]

I wouldn't mix angels and triggers with lionfish. Both are notorious for stressing and killing lionfish. There are some triggers that have a better chance of getting along such as the blue jaw, sargassum, and crosshatch. I would add the tusk first before the angel and trigger. Tusks tend to be really shy at first.

 

[axs377]

I wouldn't mix angels and triggers with lionfish. Both are notorious for stressing and killing lionfish. There are some triggers that have a better chance of getting along such as the blue jaw, sargassum, and crosshatch. I would add the tusk first before the angel and trigger. Tusks tend to be really shy at first.

I won't be adding the lionfish. Just a yellow tang, angel, tusk, and trigger. Well and a tomato clown I have if he survives the cycle. So you're thinking tang, tusk, then angel/trigger?

 

[welsher7]

definatle the tang first and the trigger last. then between the angel and tusk it is a toss up really. I would add which everone is smaller second then add the other.

 

[axs377]

Ok new question. I was debating on removing the two filters (fluval fx5 & Eheim 2262) and replacing them with one of these

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ters-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

or

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ters-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

Both will flow some serious water, but I was unsure of issues with hang-on pre-filters. CPR overflows have a self priming air pump that attaches, so as long as the pump is working they won't lose prime like conventional hang-ons. What do you guys think? Go for it or not? Of course I may still replace the tank with a bigger reef ready one, but if I keep the 220, I like this idea.