Tank Ideas

rickels · 07/27/2011, 03:33 PM

Hello, I am a complete noob as far as actually running a tank, and it will be a little bit of time before I actually get the ball rolling but I have some preliminary ideas I would like to get some feedback from you experts.

My vision for my tank is to have a small-medium tank, with live coral and the like being the main focus, with maybe just One fish.

I was thinking of a predatory fish possibly, but doesnt have to be. I want a single fish with decent size that is appropriate for this solo role. I do not want a lionfish.

I am looking for ideas from you guys on a fish that fits these criteria, I am open to other ideas as well.

Also, any feedback on the practicality of my vision is appreciated as well.

Thank you

thegrun · 07/27/2011, 03:39 PM

Sounds like a good plan, although you should be able to keep more than one predatory fish in a tank if it is large enough and the fish are compatible. I've always liked spotted hawk fish, tons of personality and fun to watch. Their down side is they will often eat shrimp if you had plans on keeping them.

rickels · 07/27/2011, 04:23 PM

ty for the fish idea, looks pretty awesome.
any other ideas?

rickels · 07/27/2011, 04:33 PM

also, wikipedia says the spotted hawkfish gets to a maximum of 12.5cms. i was hoping for a slightly larger fish.

for arguments sake lets say I will be getting a 75g tank. whats the biggest fish that will be comfortable in this tank?

Angel*Fish · 07/27/2011, 05:07 PM

The thing about large predator fish, is that they can be poop factories. That doesn't necessarily go well with the pristine water needs of many corals. Are there some you have in mind? All fish are predatory, from my point of view.

MattyO · 07/27/2011, 05:57 PM

You could check out live aquaria.com (sry but it's one word) as they offer some insight into the care of each of the fish. You might like a frogfish but it might be smaller then you want and will camouflage it's self.

pr12 · 07/27/2011, 06:58 PM

+1 on the frogfish/angler, very cool fish. Another choice may be some sort of an eel, though they do produce a good bioload and might knock over corals. Rhinopias are also a very cool predatory fish, if your willing to spend a bit more.

zy112 · 07/27/2011, 09:13 PM

You have some interesting ideas, I can say most predator fish I have kept in the past have needed large tanks (sure their are some smaller out there). For your first tank though, I like a 75 gallon. Gets you a little depth for aquascaping and a good variety of fish can be kept in this size; it's not a nano where params can change incredibly quick and it doesn't bear near the start up cost of very large tanks. Look forward to seeing what you decide and your progress.

07/27/2011, 03:33 PM	#1
rickels Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3	Tank Ideas Hello, I am a complete noob as far as actually running a tank, and it will be a little bit of time before I actually get the ball rolling but I have some preliminary ideas I would like to get some feedback from you experts. My vision for my tank is to have a small-medium tank, with live coral and the like being the main focus, with maybe just One fish. I was thinking of a predatory fish possibly, but doesnt have to be. I want a single fish with decent size that is appropriate for this solo role. I do not want a lionfish. I am looking for ideas from you guys on a fish that fits these criteria, I am open to other ideas as well. Also, any feedback on the practicality of my vision is appreciated as well. Thank you

07/27/2011, 05:07 PM	#5
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	The thing about large predator fish, is that they can be poop factories. That doesn't necessarily go well with the pristine water needs of many corals. Are there some you have in mind? All fish are predatory, from my point of view. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

07/27/2011, 09:13 PM	#8
zy112 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 55	You have some interesting ideas, I can say most predator fish I have kept in the past have needed large tanks (sure their are some smaller out there). For your first tank though, I like a 75 gallon. Gets you a little depth for aquascaping and a good variety of fish can be kept in this size; it's not a nano where params can change incredibly quick and it doesn't bear near the start up cost of very large tanks. Look forward to seeing what you decide and your progress. __________________ Z.Y. Current Tank Info: Tankless

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07/27/2011, 03:39 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Sounds like a good plan, although you should be able to keep more than one predatory fish in a tank if it is large enough and the fish are compatible. I've always liked spotted hawk fish, tons of personality and fun to watch. Their down side is they will often eat shrimp if you had plans on keeping them.

07/27/2011, 04:23 PM	#3
rickels Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3	ty for the fish idea, looks pretty awesome. any other ideas?

07/27/2011, 04:33 PM	#4
rickels Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3	also, wikipedia says the spotted hawkfish gets to a maximum of 12.5cms. i was hoping for a slightly larger fish. for arguments sake lets say I will be getting a 75g tank. whats the biggest fish that will be comfortable in this tank?

07/27/2011, 05:57 PM	#6
MattyO Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 800	You could check out live aquaria.com (sry but it's one word) as they offer some insight into the care of each of the fish. You might like a frogfish but it might be smaller then you want and will camouflage it's self.

07/27/2011, 06:58 PM	#7
pr12 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: colorado Posts: 198	+1 on the frogfish/angler, very cool fish. Another choice may be some sort of an eel, though they do produce a good bioload and might knock over corals. Rhinopias are also a very cool predatory fish, if your willing to spend a bit more.