Setup suggestions

So I'm going to start my first SW setup, and I wanted to throw my ideas out there to get opinions.

I've been reading everything I can find about SW setups/maintenance for 3 months, and this its what I've gathered.

1. I want a few clownish, nems, coral, 1 or 2 regal tangs, a few other fish I haven't decided on yet.

2. At least a 55 GAL display tank (regals need room to move), a 20 GAL sump/fuge, ATO, 2 mp40 PH and control unit, led lights.

3. As I'm a working man, I'll be building this tank over months, then cycling it before anything other then LR/LS are added. 6+ months before clowns and nems are added.

I figured starting out with the stand and sump is the best idea. That way all the filtration is in place and plumbed before the purchase of the display tank. Does that sound reasonable? Also if you were making a 20 GAL sump with a skimmer partition, bubble trap (3 pane) partition, and fuge/return partition which skimmer would you use? I need to know so I can partition appropriately.

Am I going about this backwards? Thanks for all the great advice your community afforded me through the past 3 months, and any advice you can give me now.

Joe

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No tang (much less 2, even much less regals) should go in the tank. You are right on waiting on the nem, but if you want clowns can go in at about 1 month. Don't forget rocks and sand. Clowns are best in pairs and o don't think a 55 is enough for 2 pairs. Imo, is get the DT and stand first, especially if its reef ready, makes plumbing easier. Good luck on the build.

 

I would say the order of build sounds fine. I pre-plumbed my entire set up before moving it into the house at all. I would not suggest such a small DT though for 1-2 regal tangs. They require 180 gallons minimum Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang. So 55g will just not cut it. I would think a 125 would be probably okay, but even that would be pushing it.

As for skimmer, it would depend on your ending DT size and overall bioload. I would suggest a Bubble Magus or SWC Cone skimmer. Have seen both in action and they rock.

I would decide what is most important to you then move on from there. If you really want 2 tangs, or any tang for that matter. 75gallon DT is a minimum. Of course with a bigger tank comes bigger costs. If you want a pair of clowns and some smaller fish with a nem, then the cost goes down significantly on equipment.

Best of luck!

 

Well crap, I hope I just misheard the guy then. My daughter and I were at our LFS and she saw a BC29 hqi with a clown and the guy said a regal Tang (dory) in it with a lot of display rocks and a few nems on sale for 700. I thought it looked crowded so I told my daughter I would make a bigger one for her.

No way can I fit anything bigger then a 55 in my livingroom though. Are there possibly dwarf species of these fish? My books don't mention there are but I'll ask in the hopes i can still get a "Dory" of some kind.

thanks again, I really appreciate it.
Joe

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That is a common LFS lie I'm sorry to say. When I was starting out my LFS told me I could keep a regal blue in a 12 gallon nano, which fortunately I researched beforehand and did not do. There are not any dwarf tangs. You could however find dwarf angelfish that may appeal to you, but most are not compatible with coral. Again its a "what is most important" situation. Also a starkii damselfish is a very cool fish that would do well in your size constraints and has that blue pop, and angelfish shape, and would be fine with coral. But they can be aggressive depending on the particular fish. That's about as close as I can think of off the top of my head, however maybe someone else can chip in.


Also, you could get a standard blue tang in a 75 gallon tank http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=01-3917-S&Category=Fish:Tangs&SortBy=Price which has the same footprint as a standard 55 gallon, assuming the space constraint is length. A standard 55 gallon is 48" x 12" and a 75 gallon would be 48" x 18" with obvious variations in height. So that may be an option.

 

+1 Exactly. Sadly, I've heard that lie since I was only 8-years-old...

Another option, if you're really set on a "Dory" is to buy one that's only 2 - 3 inches, then return it or find it a new home when it gets too big for the 55g.

 

Get the 75 if you can and then you can get a Regal tang.

 

Regal gets larger than standard blue in home aquarium typically? I see you have one in your sig.

 

Thank you for the great advise! I talked to my LSF, about trading in a med size tang for a small one every 6 or so months. He agreed as long as it was healthy. Then he mentioned he had a 120 gallon tank with built in overflow, and double glass for $150. Does that sound like a good deal?

I believe it is. He also said he would sell me a matching dark cherry stand and hood for $400 and throw in a 40 sump tank for free.

One more question, do tangs and triggerfish get along well?

Thanks again, Joe


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I think it'd be more like 3 months if even, not to mention it would never be healthy in a 29. Tank is a nice deal. Triggers are one of the meanest fish I can think of atm.