First FOWLR Tank

[Playerdrm]

Well I have had reef tanks for a number of years and have decided to set up a FOWLR so I can get some of the fish I have always wanted.

I plan on buying a 125g tank with 30g sump in January and want to go into this with a plan on stocking and which order everything should go in. I have always wanted triggers and know that based on individual temperment of the fish multiple triggers may pose problems and if I have this problem I will pull any overly aggresive one quickly and take it back to my LFS and try for a tamer one.

If you guys would be so kind as to go over my proposed stalking list and tell me if this will be to overstocked or bad compatiabilty I would appreciate it also some suggestions on placement order would be nice.

Proposed Stocking

Niger Trigger
Pinktail Trigger
Blue Throat Trigger
Foxface Lo
Dog Face Puffer
Emperor Angel


Thanks in advance for any information you guys can provide.

[Hydrologist]

I know for sure that the Emperor will have to be removed from that list...Tank is not nearly large enough for a fish that size.

What are the dimensions of the tank you are purchasing? Also, what are your plans for filtration?

[Playerdrm]

Dimensions are 72x18x24 thinking of getting a 180g 72x24x24 instead

for filtration was just planning on running carbon and a reef octo 8 skimmer along with doing 10% weekly water changes

[GCI]

Think about a very small number of fish. I have a 110gal FOWLR 48"L x 30"H x 18"W with one Picasso Trigger and one lawnmower blenny. Can spend hours just looking at the trigger roam his domain! Triggers get very aggressive when they reach sexual maturity. I'm not so sure about the various species that you suggest living in one tank. Think one year down the road.

[Stuart60611]

I have the exact same system for a number of years and have housed a variety of different fish therein. See my profile to get my current stock list. As a general guideline, you can only stock in a community seting fish which do not exceed 12 inches or a bit less as adults and really no more than 4 large fish. As for triggers, you are pretty much limited to just one and only those which are smaller and more docile. With respect to the three you listed, the only one suitable is the bluethroat, and both the pinktail and niger get way too large and aggressive. Other options include the saragassum and the Indian trigger. The emperor also gets way too large and will ultimately need at tank about twice as large. If you want a foxface lo, get a one spot foxface instead which looks and acts identical to a foxface lo, except stays much smaller and has a black dot on its side. A dogface puffer will work fine and is a great choice with suitable tankmates. If you can fit a 180 as you as you are considering as opposed to a 125, I would definitely go with the 180. The extra width really comes in handy for aquascaping, keeping up water quality, and giving the fish some swiming room. However, the additional size really does not open much in the way of any different options to stock larger fish than in a 125. I would also do a much larger sump with a 55 for a 125 and a 75 for a 180, both of which fit under a standard stand. You will need this space for equipment and appreciate the added water volume.

[Playerdrm]

Thanks for the input so far. Well I went to the lfs today to check out tank prices and ended up buying a used 220g 8x2x2 tank they had, was only $850 with stand; couldnt resist. Will be picking it up monday going to have to eliminate a recliner from my front room to fit it. I still do not plan on setting it up until January when I have more time.

How will this effect the stocking options, still to small to keep the emperor angel for its complete life span? I have heard mixed opinons from people locally on stocking and want to make sure I do everything right and do not over stock or get fish that will be unhappy in the tank, do to size.

If it would work with the 220g I would like to have the Niger, Emperor, and Dogface. But if it is not large enough I will definately change the list instead of having to try and move fish out as they get larger.

[Stuart60611]

Originally Posted by Playerdrm

Thanks for the input so far. Well I went to the lfs today to check out tank prices and ended up buying a used 220g 8x2x2 tank they had, was only $850 with stand; couldnt resist. Will be picking it up monday going to have to eliminate a recliner from my front room to fit it. I still do not plan on setting it up until January when I have more time.

How will this effect the stocking options, still to small to keep the emperor angel for its complete life span? I have heard mixed opinons from people locally on stocking and want to make sure I do everything right and do not over stock or get fish that will be unhappy in the tank, do to size.

If it would work with the 220g I would like to have the Niger, Emperor, and Dogface. But if it is not large enough I will definately change the list instead of having to try and move fish out as they get larger.

That is a tight fit, but it may just be big enough. I will defer to others who have more experience with these species.

[Playerdrm]

Ok I have been doing more research online and think I have come up with a final list

saragassum trigger, dogface puffer, Blue Girdled Angelfish

These will be the only fish in the tank. The tank is 8x2x2, this should be fine right?

[Stuart60611]

I think that is a very well balanced list. Each fish is appropriately sized and mild manored. The only thing to keep in mind is the angel is one of the more difficult species to maintain. With those well suited tankmates and not overcrowding the angel, I think you should be fine. Mke sure, however, to also get amply sized quarantine facilities b/c you will likely have to deal with parasites.

[WuHT]

For an angel I suggest an asfur. It'd be a good thing if he manages to outgrow the tank.

[viggen]

good call on picking up the 8ft tank, so much more enjoyable (for you & the fish) having a 8ft long tank vs 6 ft. The 125g's aren't a good size when you want fish.

I had a 8x2x2 (I thought it was a 240g) & you can go with more then what you have on your list. I would add some tangs like yellow, powder blue etc that stay small-ish & will add more activity to the tank.

A excellent & more active trigger to the sargassum who also has zero attitude is a hawian/black durgeon. They can get big (foot or so in length) but they have no attitude at all. Mine is in my temporary tank, 210g & he's 7ish inches long & is a complete whimp. VERY active & cool colors.

I would think a emperor would fit in there w/o a problem & you could add another angel as well is you want.

Depending on what you want to do with the sump you might want to buy that 125g w/o overflows & use that as a sump. They are low enough easy to work with & you would have room for a skimmer & all that stuff in there.

[meatball87]

8-2-2 is 240 so its a better score than u thought I have a 220 its 84-24-25

[Stuart60611]

I agree with the above that you have room for additional fish with your 8x2x2. However, I would definiitely stay away from the powder blue or other very aggressive stocking choices. As I mentioned, you have a very mellow crew, and the angel in particular cannot tolerate harrassment. A sailfin tang would be imo a great final large fish to the mix which would fit in well. They are really striking, active, and offer great utility as excellent algae grazers. Since you are new to fowlrs, I really would not recommend going with two large angels b/c there can be many problems to the point that many experienced hobbyiests refrain from doing so. You could also add some smaller fish to add interest, including, without limitation, toby puffers, flame hawk, one spot foxface, and chromis. I would also consider medium sized colorful and active wrasses or hogfish, like equisite wrasses, lyertail hogfish, radiant wrasse, ornamental wrasse, and christmas wrasse just to name a few. Just make sure you select wrasse(s) which are of a peaceful nature. If it were me and in light of your mellow other stocking choices, I think a trio (or more) of flasher or fairy wrasses would be striking. They add a great deal of color and movement and engage in interesting courting behavior, including often colorful displays. You could have the angel, dogface, and saragassum together with a sailfin, toby puffer, one spot foxface, and the wrasses. That would be a great tank imo.