Getting Started

[mlefessler]

After a few years of fish-keeping, having 5 tanks scattered around my house is starting to test my patience. Especially since I'm getting older and my career is demanding more and more of my time.

I eventually would like to (eventually, not now) downsize my tank load to 2 main tanks. I do not wish to get rid of the tanks that I have now, but rather "wait it out". Which is why I will take the time now to prepare myself for what I would like to happen. Husbandry. Saving the bucks. Research. Blah, blah, blah.

Anyways....I'm at 5 tanks. 4 freshwater and 1 brackish. I'm in love with my brackish tank (my pride a joy right now). I want to keep that one up and running (not to mention that I'm housing 2 figure-8 puffers and who knows how long they will live!).

The brackish is currently sitting in my living room and eventually I would like to move that tank into my bedroom, replacing that spot with a bigger and meaner tank!

Here's where I hope that you guys will step in and give me a few pointers/tips. I have high hopes in getting a bigger tank (possibly 75-100 gallons) and turning that into a FOWLR tank (no WAY am I ready to jump into a reef tank!). I want to house either a spiny box or porcupine puffer. However, I'm getting so many mixed signs on the housing requirements for these guys. 70 for a spiny box? 100 for a porcupine?

Best filtration system for a tank that size? Suggestions for protein skimmers? What kind of live rock is suggested?

Any other suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Nolapete]

Sounds like you know exactly what you like. The tank I would suggest for you would be a 90 gallon. It has the same footprint as a 75 but is taller. 75 would be the smallest I'd go for your puffers. With any aquarium, particularly saltwater, the bigger it is the more margin for error you have.

FOWLR is a good start for saltwater. It provides a stable environment and infinite possibilities. Much more than just a Fish Only system would.

I suggest you read through this thread http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161957 about algae scrubber filters before you decide on what type of filtration you want. I'm removing everything off of my saltwater tank except the sump and the scrubber once I build mine.

 

[snailrider]

Hi, My suggestion is to read the super mega nitrate remover thread in the DIY section.

The algae scrubber is having rave reviews amongst those of us who are nuts enough to try them.

The scrubber is like a super concentrated sump full of macro algae in that it consumes the nitrates and phosphates into natural organic algae, which then is removed from the system.

The puffers from what I read produce much waste, and so this method of nitrate and phosphate removal seems to be very practical and cost effective, and healthy.

You have experienced how tanks seem to breed and multiply LOL, the 90 or 125 seems like a good choice, for the money, I might advise on a drilled 125. Then use a 55 or so for the sump.