Hi All....

J

john_lfc_uk

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Feb 23, 2003
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First time posting on this site and would just like to say hello to everyone. I am new to saltwater and hope to gain some valuable knowledge and share mine in time when I can be of some help to less experienced than me.

I am in the process of setting up a 56uk gallon tank. 4ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft.
I am going to use an external filter, protein skimmer, two 150w heaters and normal output flourescent tube for lighting. I would appreciate any help in what extra equipment will be required. I intend to create a fish only enviroment will also not be using live rock...good or bad???.

The biggest problem for me is I can not seem to get any confirmed information regarding fish to stock. I have read about many different species and read many different stocking levels however am still not sure. I know it is important to decide what fish you wish to have and in what order to introduce.

Sorry to pose many questions but I am very keen to ensure I do this right and also keep happy healthy fish.

Any comments good/bad would be greatly appreciated.

Here's to hopefully many a happy day messaging....and lets hope I can be some use to someone someday soon.:)
 
Well, without much to go on here...

It sounds like your set for equipment, depending on the filtration. Using sand and rock is easier, since it's less maintenance for you once you have a crew (hermits, snails, etc). If you can't/don't want these critters, some mechanical filtration will be helpful, as long as you clean it regularly. What kind of filter is it?

We can try helping you out with fish sizes. If you can list some fish you're interested in, we can help you, especially if it's a fish someone here keeps. As always, keep in mind that the body size of the fish is only one part of the equation. Life style and habits, and feeding must be considered.

I prefer to keep the stocking on the low side. It's hard to understand packing a tank, and then being shocked when the water parameters fall apart. Low stocking levels also reduce territory and aggression problems. I would rather get to see and know a few fish very well, than a mass that are just there.
 
Thanks for reply Orion girl. I was thinking about the following fish but read so much conflicting information I am still not sure, I appreciate all fish can be different so was thinking along these lines:

1 Maroon Clown
1 Yellow tailed blue damsel
1 bi colour dottyback
1 cleaner wrasse
1 Flame angel
1 Purple Tang

Does this sound reasonable?
 
The maroon will get big--about 5-6 inches easily. I've seen them this size. They can be very territorial (same family as damsels), but usually are content claiming a small patch or coral.

Damsels are highly aggressive and territorial. On the reef, they claim a large chunk of territory for grazing. I've seen damsels beat up and chase off fish 2-3 times their size. I wouldn't add one, since they really aren't much to look at, IMO, and their behavior isn't interesting, just mean.

Dottybacks can be aggressive buggers as well. Should be okay, as long as it stays small (which I will defer to someone else to comment on). I suspect it will be okay, but you'll want confirmation

Cleaner wrasse tend to stay small, but you need to be very careful. Many are obligate feeders, and will starve in an aquarium. There just aren't enough parasites/skin flakes to maintain them. Be very sure of what you're buying, and watch it eat prepared foods first.

Flame angel will be fine, size-wise. Hold out for good stock, even though it will mean big bucks. Cheaper specimens are likely not as hardy. A potters or rusty would be a comparable color fish, though the hardiness of dwarf angels isn't among the best.

Tangs of all kinds will be cramped in a 4 foot tank as adults. these are fish that swim a LOT, and need all the room they can get. If they aren't comfortable, they tend to get stressed, and then get sick. I wouldn't advise it, but I know lots of people that have them in their tanks, FWIW.

Look into some of the gobies, and hawks. Staying with the aggressive theme, I would go with:

Maroon clown. Buy it as big as you can find.

Dottyback, depending on feedback for size.

Flame angel.

Striped Hawk.

This would leave you with a fairly active, colorful tank that shouldn't get too big, or beat each other up too much. You could even add a few inverts, maybe.
 
THanks again Orion.

What about a non aggresive tank. I would like to add maybe 6 in total over the period of about 12 months. I am looking to have as much colour as poss and also interested in fish with some character.......any ideas or am I in need of fewer fish in this tank?
 
Check out some of the smaller wrasses (though I don't think a wrasse will do well with a hawk).

There are some smaller tangs you could look at, but all of them will want more swimming room.

Check out cardinals, anthias, and basslets. Saltwater tanks just won't hold as many/much fish at the same size community FW setup. The bio-load balance is harder to maintain.
 
Hi again,

Sorry to keep pestering with this one but am keen to sort out fish list so I know exactly where I am going with this.

How do these sound, introduced in this order:

1 Maroon Clown
1 Royal Gramma Basslet
1 Purple Queen Anthias
1 Yellow Clown Goby
1 Flame Angel

I have read various bit of info on these and they all appear to be relatively peaceful fish, nothing to aggresive, what do the more experienced think?
 
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