Another 55G Stocking Question

[azboostin]

Just starting my new 55G tank, I will be using...

50lbs Play Ground sand
25lbs Live Sand

20-25lbs Base rock
20-25lbs Live rock be a month or more before adding fish.

10 Gallon Refugium, Seaclone 100, "4" 40w 50/50 Bulbs,

I am wanting to put in a Lion Fish, Maybe some nemo's if they will get along? a hawk fish? what kind of other fish can i put in and be okay? I will also be adding an anemone, a couple snails, 50 or so feeder shrimp, a couple of startfish,

 

[Max]

Well, it could work if you'll modify your plan a little bit. Go for one of the dwarf lions and limit it to a couple of clowns ,"maybe 3 if you get all juveniles so they can work out their sex roles," I'd get a bunch of snails they'll help keep your tank clean. I'd encourage you to hold off on the anemone they are easy to kill and need a really stable tank. The clowns don't need one and you could do just as well with other softies like xenia etc. and they are a lot easier.
I'd also give the feeders some thought fish that eat live prey tend to be more aggresive than those that don't . What kind of stars? Some of them like linkia species don't do really well in home aquaria a lot of them are sufrace film feeders and tend to fade away or just down right die.
Sounds good.
hth
chris

 

[azboostin]

im not real sure on the different stars what would be good ones to get?.. Will a lion fish eat other stuff besides feeder shrimp? how about a porcupine puffer in the mix?

 

[Max]

The lion will eat anything that fits in it mouth and try to eat anything that's close. I'd avoid stars except for your standard clean up crew until you have some practice with salt water. The puffer will get way to big for the tank and they can really have some attitude it will also probably eat any inverts you add to the tank. The more expensive the better they taste by the way .

 

[azboostin]

haha okay thanks... I might reconsider getting the lion and maybe somthing else although i was really set on a lion fish

 

[Max]

Get a dwarf lion if you love em. The don't get nearly as big so you could get a lot more critters in your tank. Just keep the adult size of what ever you select in mind and you'll do fine. Always give more than enough hiding places and keep everyones personality in mind and it will work out great.
hth
chris

 

[azboostin]

sounds good.

 

[rbell219]

...... Seaclone 100,......

I have one collecting dust I wouldn't give to an enemy. Spend the money a get a real skimmer. If you have the seaclone already---ebay it and get a real skimmer.