Thinking of switching.

[LD50]

So I really like my fahaka but I can't keep 2 large tanks, and I was wanting to get into a FOWLR set up because I REALLY want a porcupine puffer. But I figure I would consult the PF before doing anything rash.

1) This puffer would have to live in a 90g FOWLR set up for several months to a year untill I cleared out my 180 and got it set up and cycled for FOWLR, I'm looking for a juvi Porcupine so it would be a 3-5" fish. Would a 90g be good enough to house it for 7-12 months? or is the growth rate too fast?

2) What other kinds of small fish could I keep with him in the 180? I was wanting to get a maroon clown (or smaller clown if that would make a better tank mate), a yellow or blue tang, and other fast small fish that would be able to easily hide and escape into the live rock. Suggestions?

3) In a 90 given plenty of circulation would 60lbs of cured LR, AC110 and FX5 filled with LR rubble, HOB skimmer and some macro algae support a healthy system for a juvi puffer? and if it were how long would it take to cycle? I was told if the LR was cured and you got it home and back in the water quickly (LFS is 10m away) the cycle may be instant/over night esp with a nice wad of macro algae to eat up excess nutrients, is there any truth to this?

[SammyDee]

I have no XP with porcs but IMO I would highly recommend a sump/refugium. Those algaes can take over a display tank in no time. Plus your gonna need a skimmer and an in-sump skimmer is prefered over the HOB skimmers.

[jdak]

Your tank would need to be cycled for at least a month. Instant cycles are BS. I will say that porc puffers have an appetite for small fish. Yes i know some keep clowns and other fish with them. Just google porc at my clownfish and you will see plenty of stories. Just my 2¢ here... Doesn't a porc and a fahaka have the same tank size requirements?

[LD50]

I have no XP with porcs but IMO I would highly recommend a sump/refugium. Those algaes can take over a display tank in no time. Plus your gonna need a skimmer and an in-sump skimmer is prefered over the HOB skimmers.

Oh well I know the bigger stuff is better, and the 180 is RR and will have a 75g fuge and all the goodies. But I was wondering if a 90g with a HOB skimmer, LR, and HOB/FX5 with LR would be good to go for a juvi puffer for a few months (allready have them why not use them?). As far as the macro algae takeing over a tank the maintainance of removing/cutting back growth regularly is no prob for me if it helps to support a healthy tank.

[LD50]

Your tank would need to be cycled for at least a month. Instant cycles are BS. I will say that porc puffers have an appetite for small fish. Yes i know some keep clowns and other fish with them. Just google porc at my clownfish and you will see plenty of stories. Just my 2¢ here... Doesn't a porc and a fahaka have the same tank size requirements?

Ok i figured "buy cured LR, some live sand and a wad of algae and your good to go in no time" sounded too good. That being the case what would be the best way to fishless cycle a marine tank? set it all up toss in rotting kill, wait for paramiters to settle, mondo WC and then go get fish. Porc's and fahaks have similar tank size requirements yes but according to the gf I dont have space for 2x 180's in the house

[SammyDee]

Not to discourage you from using the 90 but IMO id be a waste of money. Why not try selling your tank for the 180g

[Pufferpunk]

I agree--moving stuff over from tanks that large are a huge PITA & risky for it's inhabitants.

[LD50]

Makes sense to just hold out and get the 180 switched to SW from the get go. Would a small puffer be able to produce enough NH3/4 to run a 180? Seems a juvi may not produce enough waste to keep the the BB going in so much water. Also what would a suggested WC schedual be? Same as my FW tanks 30-50% a week?

[jdak]

Makes sense to just hold out and get the 180 switched to SW from the get go. Would a small puffer be able to produce enough NH3/4 to run a 180? Seems a juvi may not produce enough waste to keep the the BB going in so much water. Also what would a suggested WC schedual be? Same as my FW tanks 30-50% a week?

I would also say you should always start with the permanent tank. In SW, you need not worry about producing NH3/4. Once the biological filtration of LR starts, you should never see these spike again. At least i have never seen a spike in either of my tanks.

[Pufferpunk]

You only need enough bacteria to support the waste the inhabitants produce. No more, no less.

[LD50]

Thanks for the info and advice everyone