What can I put in my marine tank with my GSP?
What can I put in my marine tank with my GSP?
Hi, I have a 3 in. GSP named Brutus who is almost fully marine (I have been slowly adding marine salt over the past 5 months). My LFS told me that I will not be able to keep any kind of live coral in my tank once it is marine because it would need a special light. I've been browsing this site and I've found some people with corals and marine plants in their tanks. What kind would you recommend which is pretty easy to take care of, and what kind of equipment do I need to care for the plants?
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puffergeek
- Figure 8 Puffer
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First off, what size tank do you have?
On the lighting, I would recommend more than just standard florescent bulbs that come with most tanks for just about anything besides a FOWLR tank. Corals need more lighting and the right kind of lighting.
If you want soft corals, you can get away with a nice power compact fixture. Mushroom corals also do well with moderate lighting. If you want stonies, you are looking at much more powerful lighting and lots more money. Check out:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marcanopies.htm
There are tons more to read online and lots of good books on the subject.
That said, your puffer might nibble on anything you put in that tank. Puffers and reefy stuff don't mix well. My lined puffer nibbles on xenia, but leaves mushrooms alone.
If you want to try corals with a puffer, you might put small frags in with him and see what he will nibble and what he will leave alone. Personally, I plan to keep my GSP and ceylon in FOWLR tanks without any corals... although I might put something in a refugium for one of those tanks when I get around to really upgrading them.
On the lighting, I would recommend more than just standard florescent bulbs that come with most tanks for just about anything besides a FOWLR tank. Corals need more lighting and the right kind of lighting.
If you want soft corals, you can get away with a nice power compact fixture. Mushroom corals also do well with moderate lighting. If you want stonies, you are looking at much more powerful lighting and lots more money. Check out:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marcanopies.htm
There are tons more to read online and lots of good books on the subject.
That said, your puffer might nibble on anything you put in that tank. Puffers and reefy stuff don't mix well. My lined puffer nibbles on xenia, but leaves mushrooms alone.
If you want to try corals with a puffer, you might put small frags in with him and see what he will nibble and what he will leave alone. Personally, I plan to keep my GSP and ceylon in FOWLR tanks without any corals... although I might put something in a refugium for one of those tanks when I get around to really upgrading them.
hi puffergeek,
i have a 20G eclipse system 1 tank. within the next year when i move to a bigger place i plan on upgrading to a 50G but space is limited in new york! i think it came with a standard florescent bulb. at least it looks like it. a mushroom coral sounds enticing! btw, what is a "FOWLR"? i see it a lot and have no idea what it means. great idea to put a small frag in the tank! thanks for your advice
i have a 20G eclipse system 1 tank. within the next year when i move to a bigger place i plan on upgrading to a 50G but space is limited in new york! i think it came with a standard florescent bulb. at least it looks like it. a mushroom coral sounds enticing! btw, what is a "FOWLR"? i see it a lot and have no idea what it means. great idea to put a small frag in the tank! thanks for your advice
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sassiegemstone
- Figure 8 Puffer
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The Fisherman
- Fahaka Puffer
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I agree with RTR on this one.RTR wrote:I think that the puffer alone is quite enough bioload for that tank. After the upgrade to can try some inverts if you wish and you fish allows.
For corals, I would just buy a better light. I have standard flourescent, and I am succesfully keeping 1 coral. Most likely since it was tank-raised, it is used to less light and so I am able to get away with it. It is a toadstool.
As far as puffers and corals, it is a gamble. Certain puffers will eat certain corals. One puffer might allow one coral, while another wont. My GSP (Mickey) is really nice, he doesnt eat corals, although he does nip at the candy cane once and a while. I don't expect him to stay as nice as he gets older though, since he is still young.
So, I reccomend just buying a few cheaper frags and see what he will allow.