Planning 125G+ FOWLR...Stocking/Lighting Questions

[BigEZ77]

Hi All,

I will be keeping my current tank as a mixed reef but am in the beginning stages of planning a FOWLR around 125G because I want to start keeping larger fish and a lot of options open up (as per LA) at the 125G mark. Looking at the CAD Lights 125G Artisan at the moment. I have a few questions below...

-I would like to keep just a couple types of coral that will spread over the rocks to add some color to the tank. Thinking of hardy coral that can handle some picking from the fish and don't require a ton of light. Any suggestions?

-I would prefer not to spend a ton of money on lighting, which is why I'm looking for a coral that will grow fairly fast to cover the rocks but doesn't need tons of light, like LPS and SPS do. Any suggestions on cost effective lighting?

-I have no idea how many fish I can have in a system this size but am looking at the following stocking list...

Flame Angel
Regal Angel
Powder Blue Tang or Purple Tang (if I can find one)
Falcula Butterflyfish
One Spot Foxface
Harlequin Tusk
Bursa, Red Tail or Blue Throat Trigger
Radiata Lionfish (maybe)
Blue Spotted Puffer (maybe)
Also considering a school of Anthias

Greatly appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

[BigEZ77]

bump

[ReeferC77]

Pulsing xenia is a good coral that grows quickly but be aware that it grows quickly and will cover your rock, but it's a start.
Some of the Chinese led lights that you get on eBay have done well for people. Depending on your budget, you can check Drs foster and smith, used lights on eBay or craigslist, and even your lfs might have a used one for sale .
The harlequin tusk and lion fish will attack your other fish especially anything that will fit in its mouth, I've had luck with the blue throat trigger and it doesn't bother anyone in the tank.

[davehead86]

Youve got a slew of fish that dont get along.
Generally two angels is not a good idea. The flame will pick at any coral ANY that you put in there. So will the Foxface. I believe a triggerfish will be too big for that tank.

You dont want a FOWLR if your asking for corals that will cover stuff. That changes the lights you need. You can get some cheap Mars Aqua LED lights that will grow some Green Star Polyp or Pulsing Xenia. Be aware these are invasive and they will over run your tank if thats what you really want on the rocks. But the fish youve picked will pick at those corals so much they probably wont grow.

Sorry to sound harsh but you really need to read up here. Yours is one of the most unrealistic fish stocking lists I have seen.

[BigEZ77]

Thanks both, just getting my feet wet here with larger fish. Not taken harsh at all, do you know a good website that gives a little more info than liveaquaria? I have no idea which fish will or won't get along. Size wise, LA does list each of these fish as doable in a 125G. In respect to coral, I heard that I find a big enough colony of GSP or xenia, that they would be hardy enough to stand some picking and survive.

[davehead86]

Originally Posted by BigEZ77

Thanks both, just getting my feet wet here with larger fish. Not taken harsh at all, do you know a good website that gives a little more info than liveaquaria? I have no idea which fish will or won't get along. Size wise, LA does list each of these fish as doable in a 125G. In respect to coral, I heard that I find a big enough colony of GSP or xenia, that they would be hardy enough to stand some picking and survive.

Here is their compatability chart. Not sure if you saw this.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/artic...?aid=21#marine

I understand that it says a 125 would be fine for all of the fish but you are putting some GIANT fish in that tank on that list and the more big fish you add the less room they have and the more agitated they get. I really am surprised there havent been more replies here. There are usually tons of opinions on fish and when people reach their limits. Honestly Im not really sure where you limit would be with that grouping or what group would be best. And are you planning on moving the fish you have in your signature to this tank too? Or is this a second tank?


Sure if you get a giant piece of GSP it will survive but it wont be open a lot. Thats my current problem. If I dont feed my fatty Coral Beauty it will pick at the GSP and then the GSP is all hidden away all day and just looks like junk.

[BigEZ77]

Thanks dave, I've seen that chart before but couldn't recall where. Yes, I'm surprised as well...thought there would be more responses on this. I'm trying to wrap my head around these larger fish and not sure how many I can stock in a tank this size. My current tank will stay as is with the fish remaining in it.

[scooter31707]

First, the Tusk and the Trigger requires bigger tanks. Also puffers and triggers are known to nip at Lionfish fins. Flame Angel will get along with the Regal. Just FYI, Regals are very difficult to keep. They need to be the first fish in the tank so it can get established and eating before adding any other fish. The Anthias may not be a good fit with the aggression behavior of the other fish. This will be considered an aggressive tank.

[iluvmyfishes]

You are much better off to pick one larger fish to showcase. Then fill up with a bunch of smaller ones. A 125gal is really not large enough for your list.

[jayball]

after seeing the fish list I take back my suggestion.

[BigEZ77]

This is a very sad day...back to the drawing board, lol.

I was just going off LA recommended tank sizes...I figured that since I have 7 fish now that were recommended for a bit under my tank size, that I should be able to do the same with a larger tank and larger fish. What size tank (ballpark) do you think I would need for the following? (these are the fish I definitely want)

Flame Angel
Regal Angel
Powder Blue Tang
Falcula Butterflyfish
One Spot Foxface
Harlequin Tusk
Red Tail Trigger

[davehead86]

Originally Posted by BigEZ77

This is a very sad day...back to the drawing board, lol.

I was just going off LA recommended tank sizes...I figured that since I have 7 fish now that were recommended for a bit under my tank size, that I should be able to do the same with a larger tank and larger fish. What size tank (ballpark) do you think I would need for the following? (these are the fish I definitely want)

Flame Angel
Regal Angel
Powder Blue Tang
Falcula Butterflyfish
One Spot Foxface
Harlequin Tusk
Red Tail Trigger

Powder blue tangs get to be a foot long. Some of the other fish on your list get upwards of six inches. You are looking at a six foot long tank minimum for the powder blue. Im normally not on the tang police but that fish NEEDS space to swim. Its not one of those yellow tangs that just gets by in a smaller space.

[BigEZ77]

Dang liveaquaria...it says 125G for the powder blue. Ok, purple tang then.

[BigEZ77]

Ps. The tank I'm looking at is 5 feet long. CAD Lights Artisan II 125G.

https://www.cadlights.com/index.php?...899e6360932406

[scooter31707]

5ft tank will not work for tis list..IMO, a 180 would be the min.

[BigEZ77]

How about their 165G which is 6 feet long?

[Chibils]

Originally Posted by scooter31707

5ft tank will not work for tis list..IMO, a 180 would be the min.

I think 60 x 24 is way better than 72 x 18 for 90% of fish, but I agree 5 feet is too short for Acanthurus tangs specifically.

I think the 165 is the low end of what I'd consider acceptable. Shorter and wider is better most of the time, but Acanthurus tangs specifically like to stretch their legs and swim full force ahead for many feet at a time. You can artificially stretch this six feet by putting strong powerheads in. They love to swim into the current.

[scooter31707]

if you decide to go with that new list, you definitely need to make sure you add the Regal 1st, and he is eating very good b/c this list has the possibility to be to aggressive for it.