Setting up small tank for Lobster - suggestions please

aquagirl70 · 10/08/2010, 09:08 AM

I have a Debellius' Reef Lobster that I need to move to his own tank. He ate a bunch of his tankmates in my 37 gal, so I put him temporarily in a breeder tank "jail" in the main tank. I'd like to move him to his own little tank and need easy and affordable suggestions.

I want something like 10 gallon or less. I bought the TopFin 10 gallon starter kit at Petsmart's suggestion, but I'm not sure if the whisper filter included is good for salt. Also read that the included lighting gets too hot for salt water.

Suggestions please: is there a better "kit" for salt water applications? If I should just buy all components separate, then:

-what's a good small size, low cost, no hassle filter for a 10?
-which heater do you recommend?
-I bought aragonite coral and live sand for the bottom. I will siphon water from the current tank for a water change and fill the new tank with that water. I assume there is no cycling necessary and I can put Lobsty in there right away, since it's the same water he's been living in all along?
-what else do I need?

Thanks!

Sisterlimonpot · 10/08/2010, 09:20 AM

For just a lobster you can get away with just a HOB filter with a 50-100w heater and some light, maybe a small power head. Lobsters are very very aggressive and are more trouble then what they're worth. Is there a reason why you wanted to get the lobster?

aquagirl70 · 10/08/2010, 09:23 AM

I don't want the lobster. I bought the tank used, with all creatures included. I moved the setup to my house, and he promptly started eating others in the tank. Shrimp, 15 hermits, starfish, all gone. :-(

Guess I didn't feed him as much as his prior owner. Sorry, what is an HOB filter? How critical is the power head? I didn't think of that for him.

gohstwrighter · 02/20/2011, 12:19 AM

(HOB) is Hang On Back
i use a probe and some shrimp to feed mine whin i can find him a mantis wil remove him and is usawly eazer to catchthan the lobster

drew1 · 02/20/2011, 08:45 AM

Lobsters are great, but as you found out very aggressive. They will eat nearly any invert in the tank, and any fish they can catch. They will also constantly rearrange the rocks. My opinion is that 10 gallons is way too small. Filtration and lighting is simple. HOB, undergravel, etc all work fine. Simple flourecents are fine if that is all you'll have in there. They are also most active at night, so feed at the appropriate time. I would have some form of current making device (powerhead, etc) in there, but again simple is fine. Enjoy him. They do eat alot and grow quickly (molting frequently when well fed), so be aware.

10/08/2010, 09:08 AM	#1
aquagirl70 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NY Tri state area, US Posts: 70	Setting up small tank for Lobster - suggestions please I have a Debellius' Reef Lobster that I need to move to his own tank. He ate a bunch of his tankmates in my 37 gal, so I put him temporarily in a breeder tank "jail" in the main tank. I'd like to move him to his own little tank and need easy and affordable suggestions. I want something like 10 gallon or less. I bought the TopFin 10 gallon starter kit at Petsmart's suggestion, but I'm not sure if the whisper filter included is good for salt. Also read that the included lighting gets too hot for salt water. Suggestions please: is there a better "kit" for salt water applications? If I should just buy all components separate, then: -what's a good small size, low cost, no hassle filter for a 10? -which heater do you recommend? -I bought aragonite coral and live sand for the bottom. I will siphon water from the current tank for a water change and fill the new tank with that water. I assume there is no cycling necessary and I can put Lobsty in there right away, since it's the same water he's been living in all along? -what else do I need? Thanks!

10/08/2010, 09:20 AM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	For just a lobster you can get away with just a HOB filter with a 50-100w heater and some light, maybe a small power head. Lobsters are very very aggressive and are more trouble then what they're worth. Is there a reason why you wanted to get the lobster? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

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10/08/2010, 09:23 AM	#3
aquagirl70 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NY Tri state area, US Posts: 70	I don't want the lobster. I bought the tank used, with all creatures included. I moved the setup to my house, and he promptly started eating others in the tank. Shrimp, 15 hermits, starfish, all gone. :-( Guess I didn't feed him as much as his prior owner. Sorry, what is an HOB filter? How critical is the power head? I didn't think of that for him.

02/20/2011, 12:19 AM	#4
gohstwrighter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: florida Posts: 86	(HOB) is Hang On Back i use a probe and some shrimp to feed mine whin i can find him a mantis wil remove him and is usawly eazer to catchthan the lobster

02/20/2011, 08:45 AM	#5
drew1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 189	Lobsters are great, but as you found out very aggressive. They will eat nearly any invert in the tank, and any fish they can catch. They will also constantly rearrange the rocks. My opinion is that 10 gallons is way too small. Filtration and lighting is simple. HOB, undergravel, etc all work fine. Simple flourecents are fine if that is all you'll have in there. They are also most active at night, so feed at the appropriate time. I would have some form of current making device (powerhead, etc) in there, but again simple is fine. Enjoy him. They do eat alot and grow quickly (molting frequently when well fed), so be aware.