55 gal dorm tank. setup and ideas - volitans

[eatmorelionfish]

I'm a college student with numerous tanks under my belt, freshwater/brackish though. I scored some old equip. two 55gs with magnum hot filter and diatom filter, bunch of powerheads (why are they noisy?), and two visitherm 300w heaters, all for $100. I'm only setting up one 55g for now. I went from expensive solo piranha to puffers, to cichlids, to salt, and now keenly eyeing pterois volitans (lionfish).

Any other extremely hardy and cool ideas for fish? will lionfish get expensive? dangerous/difficult for college dorm?

I will be keeping this tank in my dorm 9 months a year, and at home 3 moths during the summer. However, I'll have to leave the tank over winter, and spring break (2.5 weeks). Would a DIY sump be a good idea to help the lionfish last through those weeks? I've seen these fish not eat for 3-4 weeks, but not sure about them surviving w/o water changes. Aside from breaks, I'm always ontop of my fish tank weekly water maintenance schedule.

I've done extensive research on these fish for months in a field station in the bahamas and grown attached to these fish. But, I've only seen them in the wild on massive coral reefs in crevices(seen 45 volitans on a patch reef 10mx13m!), demolishing biodiversity (79% lower recruitment!). will these invasive fish get boring quickly? I'm not planing to have anything fancy and sensitive in my first saltwater tank.

Please let me know your recommendations to improve my 55g setup, alternatives to lionfish, or share experience with difficulties of lionfish as first time saltwater aquarium.

[Neogenocide]

I personally feel that leaving any tank unattended for 2.5 weeks at a time is extremely risky. I wouldn't do it.

Scott

[chimmike]

not only that but a 55g is a small tank for a lion. They're going to make a mess of the water quality fast. You better be prepared to do a lot of water changes or have some serious filtration on there.

[Jormungandr]

However, if he does have 2 55s, he can use the second one as a sump and have a much larger water quantity compared to the single 55. I do agree with mike that they will make a mess though. Lions are the goldfish of saltwater. (but not in the sense of being for kids)

[scubasteve06]

Volitans will reach their full 18" size within a year and a half. In the first year or so of setting this tank up with a volitan his spread of fins will most likely reach out of the water and will be so cramped up he will have no room to move or swim. A 90 is the smallest size for a volitan and even then its cruel IMO. I wanted one for my 125 but talked myself out of one because of my 18" depth. He wouldn't be able to turn around. Now a fuzzy dwarf lion would be just as cool just as personable and give you the wow factor you want from your friends. Not only that he will never out grow your 55. Read up on these little overlooked lions they are really cool.

[TellyFish]

+1 on going for the Dwarf Lion. You will have a much easier time working with that fish, and it will also be easier to move (I assume you move all the time, I sure did when I was in College... ad yes, I had my 90gallon then. Never in a dorm just apartments... )

[eatmorelionfish]

Thanks for the heads up. I thought the 15in max size was the "largest ever found." But come to think of it, I've seen a 50cm long one...

I see volitans = no go and suggestions for the dwarf lion. From what I've learned, they need very good water condition. Can someone elaborate the hardiness of them?

Another option I'd like to get opinions on is on Pterois russelli & Pterois antennata, which i hear is hardy also (maybe not as much as volitans.) fit in a 55?

whats the recommended turnover rate for lionfish? strong protein skimmer necessary?

[eatmorelionfish]

Originally Posted by scubasteve06

Volitans will reach their full 18" size within a year and a half. In the first year or so of setting this tank up with a volitan his spread of fins will most likely reach out of the water and will be so cramped up he will have no room to move or swim. A 90 is the smallest size for a volitan and even then its cruel IMO. I wanted one for my 125 but talked myself out of one because of my 18" depth. He wouldn't be able to turn around. Now a fuzzy dwarf lion would be just as cool just as personable and give you the wow factor you want from your friends. Not only that he will never out grow your 55. Read up on these little overlooked lions they are really cool.

when you say 18in, does that mean head to caudal fin tip? In that case, could their "wing span" be greater?

[scubasteve06]

Originally Posted by eatmorelionfish

when you say 18in, does that mean head to caudal fin tip? In that case, could their "wing span" be greater?

Yes and yes, you didn't read wrong when you saw 15" as that is the "accepted" max out size for most s/w hobbyists, but I've seen some get 16"+ in wing span and in length, and it will happen very quickly. Now an antennata would be a bigger lion than a dwarf but they wouldn't outgrow a 55 but would be pushing it once it reached it full grown max size their max is no more than 10" from what I've seen. As far as water params go they are very messy eaters that will eat until they literally explode. At my LFS the owner has 2 for sale right now a volitans, and a yellow dwarf fuzzy. They both eat ridiculous amounts of krill and shrimp for their size and the volitan after being fed until his stomache is bulging will still follow you around and beg for food. On a 55g I'd get a skimmer rated for at least a 100g tank. I think a Octopus 110 would be a good skimmer to look into for you. Last take a look at the Fumanchu lions and all the other dwarf lions that are out there.

Oh and the russel's lion get just as big as the Volitan. They are often confused with one another.

[eatmorelionfish]

So i traded in my 55's for a 72 bow front tank. is this large enough to house a Pterois russelli and a Black Longspine Urchin considering about 90lbs of live rock in the tank? According to http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/ it says a russelli should be housed in a 75g or larger. Not sure if 72 counts ahah.

Also, I know lionfish like low flow. How much gph should my return pump from sump and powerheads rate? I currently have a rio 3100 as my return. Opinions?

[thebkramer]

I have kept 2 fuzzy dwarf lions in same tank for 2 years. They were amazing little guys and I found them to be like little puppies of the sea!! And they can warm up and get friendly to ppl.. so be careful!!
I also had a 55g and I kept them with (plz don't yell at me lol) a foxface and a blue indigo hamlet. This was all before I found this site lol Anyways.. I never had any problems and everyone got along! If I tried.. I would've been able to feed the fuzzies right outta my hand! I miss them I lost one to an emerald crab and the other in my devastating tank crash! Ugh.. So.. I think personally you would really enjoy the fuzzies compared to the volitans

Edit:
I would also like to add that fuzzies are hilarious to watch while feeding and they like to beg! Its amazing how big they can open their mouths. If you do decide to go with fuzzies.. I would recommend you try to get them already feeding on frozen foods, as fuzzies can be hard to switch from live to frozen It took me more than a year to get them to eat ANYTHING frozen..

BTW.. WELCOME TO RC!!

[scubasteve06]

Originally Posted by eatmorelionfish

So i traded in my 55's for a 72 bow front tank. is this large enough to house a Pterois russelli and a Black Longspine Urchin considering about 90lbs of live rock in the tank? According to http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/ it says a russelli should be housed in a 75g or larger. Not sure if 72 counts ahah.

Also, I know lionfish like low flow. How much gph should my return pump from sump and powerheads rate? I currently have a rio 3100 as my return. Opinions?

I wouldn't do it, I'd get a radiata or antenata, or two different kind of dwarfs like a fumanchu and a fuzzy or a radiata and a fuzzy, but the russels lion gets just as big 16"+ as the volitan. You don't like the dwarf lions at all?

[eatmorelionfish]

Originally Posted by scubasteve06

I wouldn't do it, I'd get a radiata or antenata, or two different kind of dwarfs like a fumanchu and a fuzzy or a radiata and a fuzzy, but the russels lion gets just as big 16"+ as the volitan. You don't like the dwarf lions at all?

haha. Not so much. Dwarfs are a little to small for my likeing because they don't serve as a centerpiece too well, but also limits other compatible mates i could have if i get say couple clarki clownfish.

Where as medium sized lions are either not that hardy, or very shy. I've read russels are the smaller of the Pterois lionfish, though just as hardy and out going. The sites says they get up to a max of 12 inches. and a 72 bow is 48 x 18 x 22. Thoughts?

[redrider911]

lionfish+drunken college kids=?

[mcghee33]

I had trouble trying to keep up with a nano in my dorm room in college. There are many issues you may be overlooking:
1. As red rider said other kids will try and mess with your tank, remember it only takes one idiot to put a couple pennies in your tank our whatever else
2. You will probably go home more than just for breaks or go on road trips with friends whe you will have to have a friend feed your fish etc
3. While you are home for breaks you are looking over one huge issue, when students leave the college often does maintenance on buildings etc and they turn off the power and often they ask that younunplugg evereything in your room for safety and the dorm police will walk through every room before the break starts and unplugg everything!
This is why most of the time youn have to bring your tank home for the breaks and that is a huge pain in the but even when you have a 14 gal nano like myself. That's why after one year I left it at home and my parents took care of it before I graduated.
While I know it's sweet having a tank in your dorm, it's not worth all the trouble and the way you are trying to do it by leaving it for weeks unattended absolutely will not work

[Create]

+1 for the power and air thing. You are going to have issues over Winter break. When kids are kicked out (i mean kicked out, they allow very little to stay) they turn the air down to save on bills.

Is this your first year of college? Do you know your roomate? Do you know that you will have the room for a 55? a 55 is pretty big for a dorm room and it might be an oddity moving it in.

Not trying to discourage you, but it is a pain breaking down tanks and moving them.

[tkeracer619]

No dorm I am aware of would allow that much water in a room.

They will ask you to remove it or kick you out of the dorms.

You will also have to break it down for every break even if you could hide it, the power is shut off.

[TheBends]

Actually, I am currently studying at a University where numerous international students don't go home for the typical breaks (for obvious reasons) and this means power does NOT go off at any time except for summer. Additionally, you can sign up to stay over these breaks which means that the CAs (or RAs) won't be going through your room for any reason. Furthermore, my university does not require or even encourage you to unplug devices and they are definitely NOT permitted to touch anything I own.

Maybe my University is just different, but friends of mine who attend college around the nation seem to have the same experience. Maybe things have changed drastically since some of these well-aged (meaning wise, knowledgeable, respected) reef-keepers have been in school

Unfortunately, my college puts the limit at 30 gallons and it has to be a FISH. No inverts.

Your experience may vary. Good luck!

[Just2Many]

-1 I vote no for Fu Man Chu
They like a more stable perfect water my Fuzzy Dwarf doesn't care.
Also I went for over a week without feeding mine in order to force him to eat frozen krill and it worked. He only gets live once a week if I want to show some friends how he eats other than that he eats Krill and marine flakes. YES Marine Flakes, Also he is in the tank with three Triggers, Two Clowns and a Niger and two Chocolate Starfish. All from a 54 Corner and a 55 sump about to be duel 55 sumps all from the basement. I say duel cause both are part frag tanks for softies. All works fine no problems!
Olll keep Cheato Helps Big time with these guys!

[eatmorelionfish]

Well, i think everyone ignored the fact that i upgraded to a 72g bow ahah.

Its going to be my junior year and I've kept a 29g in my room for the past two years. And no, they never shut off power or heat during breaks because there are people staying in it. I'm scared to ask if a 72g is allowed though ahah. Maybe if not allowed, I'll ask one of the faculty to house it for me. AH, I really want the tank in my room. Can someone share experiences with an Adult Pterois russelli is a 72g Bow front tank? Thanks

[mcghee33]

To be honest with you I don't think any ra or rd would even know that it's 72 gallon because of the way the bow fronts tend to look smaller than they actually are so, I think you will be able to easily get away with the size, I unfortunately don't have any experience with the lions, but best of luck! Post some pics I want to see what a 72 bow looks like in a dorm room!

[albano]

Originally Posted by redrider911

lionfish+drunken college kids=?

+1000...you're looking for trouble...accident waiting to happen!