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View Full Version : Tank Site/Photos and Questions- Need your advice!!



Sting
12-26-2003, 11:08 PM
As a recap- I started my first saltwater tank June 6th, 2003, and it's now December 23rd, 2003. It's been a while, and I havent' been around AC in a while (migrated over to RC) but I have come back to show you all my current tank, and ask some old friends some new questions.

To begin, I couldn't have done any of this without this board. I know I've been gone a long time, but the people here like Ray Pollet and OrionGirl helped my success in this hobby be so great- they are truly filled with wisdom! The conversion I made from my 37G freshwater planted to my now 37G reef went so smoothly- and I owe it mostly to the people here.

It's been a long 6 months, and my tank has undergone many transitions, and stages, but it's come a long way! I finally feel it's about time I present my tank here at AC! Visit http://geocities.com/stingsreef to see detailed descriptions and colorful photos of my tank in it's current stage.

Lastly, I'd like to ask some advice from the wise people here on AC. I am in a serious dilemma. I am one who believes patience in the key to success- and that's why I only have 3 fish in my tank, and it's been 6 whole months! I like to take it slow, and carefully research everything I put into my tank (that's why if you even begin to comment negatively about my tang I shut my ears;)). Therefore, I am in the next steps to stocking my tank, and I would finally like to add some more fish. Coming upon this time, I have seriously been considering the Lyretail Anthias, or the Bartlett's Anthias.

Coming to conclusions that these are hareming fish, I have been thinking about adding a small triad to my tank (1M 2F). The issue? Anthias can be picky eaters, and they can show inter-species aggression, or they can readily accept their new tank environment, peacefully interact with eachother and other tankmates, encourage shy fish to become more confident, and eat like pigs.

I was hoping for some advice in this area, I'm not sure whether adding 3 anthias to my tank would be the best thing for me, or for the tank. The current stock of my tank (if you didn't visit my site- which you should! :)) would be a Yellow Tang, Cherub Angel, and Spotted Hawk. You can view my original sotck plan on my site, which includes my current sotck, with a Purple Psuedochromis, 2 Neon Gobies, and a Mandarin Dragonette, and compare that with my new revised stocklist, which includes the current stock, 3 Anthias (Lyretail or Bartlett's) and possibly another small fish like a Clown or Neon Goby.

What's your experience with Anthias? Do you think a triad would fare well in my 37?

Thanks! And I'm delighted to be back!

MonoSebaelover
12-27-2003, 9:15 AM
Welcome back. In my opinion a 37 will be too small to do a harem of them. I have also found Anthias are not really all that brave. My mom has 3, 2 Lyretails and a Purple Queen, and they mostly hide all day only coming out for feeding time. They have their little crevices in the rock which keeps them happy and secure. So I wouldn't consider them a dither fish. If it was my tank I would go with your original plan mainly because I like those fish better. Anthias just don't do it for me. I would say if you upgraded to at least a 75 (for the tang) in the near future then you could do a harem of Anthias but I wouldn't do it in a 37. Nice pics by the way. Anyway, hope this helps.

Sting
12-28-2003, 3:39 PM
Thanks ton for the input- after some discussion over at RC and your comment here, I have pretty much given up my Anthias dreams...I think I will be content with my original stock plan. Yes, I most definitely will upgrade soon, although the tank I set up probably won't be at my house, but rather my mom's office. She is planning to get around a 75-125 Gallon tank for her office (she works with youth at our church, and a tank would go great in her youth room, and it would be a great opportunity for me to have another tank!) and I can just transfer my tang to that tank in good time.