New aquarium potential owner - SW predator?

pedersbr · 01/31/2015, 03:28 AM

Hi there!

I am brand new to the aquarium scene, I have had bearded dragons in the past and would like to switch to something more fun to look at and colorful.

I love the idea of a predatory tank, I like Lionfish and love Pufferfish.

What can I do to make this dream a reality? How big of a tank is best? What should I be prepared for?

I am brand new to this so any info is much appreciated.

Thanks!
Brian

SaltyDoug · 01/31/2015, 05:53 AM

Hi I've only been in the hobby a few months but maybe that will be helpful in this case.

There are 3 things you need to be successful in this hobby
1)patience
2)money
3)patience

If your looking to do predators your going to want to do a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) the live rock will act as a natural biological filter.
Your also going to want a good protien skimmer since predators are messy eaters and generate a lot of waste.
Toss in lighting (not too expensive if your not doing coral) a heater, tank, stand, sump, the right substrate, live rock/ base rock. Your looking at a couple grand just to get started. Of course there are deals to be had on Craigslist or forums where you can get full systems cheap from people upgrading or getting out of the hobby. Not to mention the monthly cost of electricity, food, and salt for water changes. Just be prepared for the cost, I did a lot of research beforehand and was still caught off guard by some of the expenses involved.

Now that we got the money out or the way, if you want a single lionfish 50 gallons or so should be fine, but that's no fun is it. I'd suggest a 120 gallon, or 180 if it's in your budget. That way you can get an eel, a lionfish and maybe a couple angels. My personal favorite is the zebra eel, I hope to get one when I upgrade

First things first though I would read up on the nitrogen cycle that's where the patience part comes in. Your going to want to cycle your tank properly it's hard watching an empty tank for 4 to 6 weeks but it will be especially important in a predator tank.

Also take a trip over to the predator sub forum to get some ideas.

gone fishin · 01/31/2015, 06:24 AM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074
The link is a wealth of information on setting up and other topics. It is found at the top of this forum.

If you scroll down under marine fish there is a forum "Fish only & aggressive tanks". You will get some tailored advice on the needs of a predator tank there. Good luck

billsreef · 01/31/2015, 06:30 AM

You'll also need two tanks, as puffers often nip on the fins of lionfish...making them bad tankmates.

01/31/2015, 03:28 AM	#1
pedersbr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1	New aquarium potential owner - SW predator? Hi there! I am brand new to the aquarium scene, I have had bearded dragons in the past and would like to switch to something more fun to look at and colorful. I love the idea of a predatory tank, I like Lionfish and love Pufferfish. What can I do to make this dream a reality? How big of a tank is best? What should I be prepared for? I am brand new to this so any info is much appreciated. Thanks! Brian

01/31/2015, 06:24 AM	#3
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074 The link is a wealth of information on setting up and other topics. It is found at the top of this forum. If you scroll down under marine fish there is a forum "Fish only & aggressive tanks". You will get some tailored advice on the needs of a predator tank there. Good luck __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

01/31/2015, 06:30 AM	#4
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	You'll also need two tanks, as puffers often nip on the fins of lionfish...making them bad tankmates. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

01/31/2015, 05:53 AM	#2
SaltyDoug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 140	Hi I've only been in the hobby a few months but maybe that will be helpful in this case. There are 3 things you need to be successful in this hobby 1)patience 2)money 3)patience If your looking to do predators your going to want to do a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) the live rock will act as a natural biological filter. Your also going to want a good protien skimmer since predators are messy eaters and generate a lot of waste. Toss in lighting (not too expensive if your not doing coral) a heater, tank, stand, sump, the right substrate, live rock/ base rock. Your looking at a couple grand just to get started. Of course there are deals to be had on Craigslist or forums where you can get full systems cheap from people upgrading or getting out of the hobby. Not to mention the monthly cost of electricity, food, and salt for water changes. Just be prepared for the cost, I did a lot of research beforehand and was still caught off guard by some of the expenses involved. Now that we got the money out or the way, if you want a single lionfish 50 gallons or so should be fine, but that's no fun is it. I'd suggest a 120 gallon, or 180 if it's in your budget. That way you can get an eel, a lionfish and maybe a couple angels. My personal favorite is the zebra eel, I hope to get one when I upgrade First things first though I would read up on the nitrogen cycle that's where the patience part comes in. Your going to want to cycle your tank properly it's hard watching an empty tank for 4 to 6 weeks but it will be especially important in a predator tank. Also take a trip over to the predator sub forum to get some ideas.