I am going to set up a little 20 gal tank for a dwarf lion and a small eel or frogfish. I want to just put an out side fillter, about 20lbs live rock and 4 inchs of sand. That is about how I have my reef set up. Is that going to work for a fish only tank? Do I need more water movement? Thanks, Jacob.
How does every one set up a tank?
- Thread starter Jacob Abshire
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Those fish are not appropriate for a 20. If you want them, you'll need at least a 40 to give them proper housing.
As for your question, I'd just use good old powerheads, liverock and livesand.
Seriously, putting a lion (even a dwarf) in a 20 is going to stress it out and kill it. The only "small eel" that is remotely suitable for a 20 is a golden moray that only reaches 9-12"; but at $1200 a pop, I doubt that's what you mean. Yer probably talking about a snowflake eel, right? Those can get 36" long. Hardly appropriate for a tank half that length. I'm not up on frogfish, but I daresay it probably won't work either
About the only fish that a 20 can house properly are some smaller damsels or some smaller clownfish. Hardly the type of predatory tank you are after, but with a 20, yer gonna hafta compromise.
As for your question, I'd just use good old powerheads, liverock and livesand.
Seriously, putting a lion (even a dwarf) in a 20 is going to stress it out and kill it. The only "small eel" that is remotely suitable for a 20 is a golden moray that only reaches 9-12"; but at $1200 a pop, I doubt that's what you mean. Yer probably talking about a snowflake eel, right? Those can get 36" long. Hardly appropriate for a tank half that length. I'm not up on frogfish, but I daresay it probably won't work either
About the only fish that a 20 can house properly are some smaller damsels or some smaller clownfish. Hardly the type of predatory tank you are after, but with a 20, yer gonna hafta compromise.
Not to correct the mighty Corax (seriously), who's taught me many things, but I believe that a frogfish could be kept in a 20. It's somewhat similar to pac man frogs. They get huge but are generally inactive, so space isn't as much of an issue. However, they do need good water and feeding can be hard. You need to get a pair of tongs (recommended at least) and you have to target feed, as the fish in the wild wait for food to come to them, so any pieces not eaten immediatly will just rot. As stated above, they aren't active, so don't expect alot for personality. I was thinking about getting one, but decided not to, at least for my first marine tank. Also, they cost alot of $$$.
Frankly, I'm not sure on the Frogfish. Liveaquaria lists them at at 5-6", so that in and of itself screams NO for a 20..
However, these are about the fishy equivalent to a sponge in terms of behavior and movement, so I'm torn.
Having never kept one, I'm gonna abstain on a vote here.
The other 2 fish, I stand by my comments =)
However, these are about the fishy equivalent to a sponge in terms of behavior and movement, so I'm torn.
Having never kept one, I'm gonna abstain on a vote here.
The other 2 fish, I stand by my comments =)