I have taken an interest in setting up a tank containing a scorpionfish(I haven't decided which one, not a leaf fish though), a dwarf fuzzy lion, and one other fish, preferably a bit more active since the other two are fairly sedentary fish. Aside from the display tank i would be using a good sized sump with two man made rock inserts, i forget what they are called, but they are extremely porous, and possibly some macro algae for the mass amount of nutrients i'm assuming these two(hopefully three) animals feeding habits will produce. I would also have the best quality skimmer i can afford for the tank that i would use mostly after feedings, but not all the time. I also love reef tanks, and was wondering if i could maintain a tank with these two (possibly three) different species with live coral. I love the floral like appearance of the reef tank, but predatory fish as well.
For my questions tank size isn't the biggest concern, I want to keep it on the smaller size though, but suggestions wouldn't hurt.
so here are my questions regarding this possible set up.
1) What coral suggestions do you guys have, I think something easy to maintain like a soft coral that doesn't sting and won't mind being made into a perch every so often would be good, but i'm unsure which ones meet that criteria.
2) The rockwork will contain over hangs and some caves to help keep the perchers off the corals and more interested in those, so suggestions for rockwork designs that the perching fish will enjoy and typically be more inclined to perch on than my corals would be appreciated.
3) What clean up crew members would you suggest? I'd like something to eat algae, something for the detritus and uneaten food, and something to keep the sand turned. I would probably start with only one of each CUC species per 10 gallons.
4) I would really love a third possibly more active species, somethings i am looking for are predatory behavior, possibly venomous or poisonous since the first two are venomous and it would make for an interesting theme although this is not required, nothing too huge, close to the first twos size, preferable with a small min tank size like 30-40 gallons, obviously as reef safe as possible, although i am willing to try something more questionable and to look until i find a specimen that does good with the reef set up.
5) For food i would like to use a variety of at least four frozen options, I want to offer to start with different shrimp, crab, fish fillet pieces, silversides, sardines, octopus, and squid, are all of these options safe to try or are some potentially dangerous for my fish? I plan to try them all to begin with and narrow my fish groceries down to four different commonly offered foods and use the others they likes as occasional treats.
6) Are there any weaning methods you recommend for said fish in case i have to wean them off of live food?
Some of these questions are for the coral, while others are for the fish so if you're an expert in one and not the other that's fine, I would really love advice from people who have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in both or either tank styles. I won't be able to set up my tank for at least a year from now, but research and planning far out never hurt anyone!
For my questions tank size isn't the biggest concern, I want to keep it on the smaller size though, but suggestions wouldn't hurt.
so here are my questions regarding this possible set up.
1) What coral suggestions do you guys have, I think something easy to maintain like a soft coral that doesn't sting and won't mind being made into a perch every so often would be good, but i'm unsure which ones meet that criteria.
2) The rockwork will contain over hangs and some caves to help keep the perchers off the corals and more interested in those, so suggestions for rockwork designs that the perching fish will enjoy and typically be more inclined to perch on than my corals would be appreciated.
3) What clean up crew members would you suggest? I'd like something to eat algae, something for the detritus and uneaten food, and something to keep the sand turned. I would probably start with only one of each CUC species per 10 gallons.
4) I would really love a third possibly more active species, somethings i am looking for are predatory behavior, possibly venomous or poisonous since the first two are venomous and it would make for an interesting theme although this is not required, nothing too huge, close to the first twos size, preferable with a small min tank size like 30-40 gallons, obviously as reef safe as possible, although i am willing to try something more questionable and to look until i find a specimen that does good with the reef set up.
5) For food i would like to use a variety of at least four frozen options, I want to offer to start with different shrimp, crab, fish fillet pieces, silversides, sardines, octopus, and squid, are all of these options safe to try or are some potentially dangerous for my fish? I plan to try them all to begin with and narrow my fish groceries down to four different commonly offered foods and use the others they likes as occasional treats.
6) Are there any weaning methods you recommend for said fish in case i have to wean them off of live food?
Some of these questions are for the coral, while others are for the fish so if you're an expert in one and not the other that's fine, I would really love advice from people who have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in both or either tank styles. I won't be able to set up my tank for at least a year from now, but research and planning far out never hurt anyone!