The Puffer Forum

so im in progress of converting my tank over to marine, it has 80 lbs of the live rock, keeping the filtration thats built in there, now i need stocking ideas, im going to cycle the tank for another 30 days at least before adding,
tank specs 207 gall abouts.
filtration 2 x fx5. 80 lbs live rock, 110 lbs live sand.
lights 3 x 250 watt metal halide 4 x 96 watt 10k compact florescent. 4 x 98 watt acitinic, these are 2 separate units i bought so i can not use one or use both ?. dunno whats better honestly looks same.

so on to the stocking ideas.
1 Picasso trigger this is a must < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picasso_trigger
1 Niger Trigger http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger_trigger this really get to 20 inches?
1 Assasi Trigger <`` looks like picasso not sure on compatibility. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assasi_trigger
1 Rectangular Trigger http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectangular_trigger
1 Clown Trigger http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_trigger this really get to 20 inches?
1 porcupine puffer.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-spine_porcupinefish

if any you know of compatibility issues with these or have any suggestions other then what ive listed id love to hear them. id like to not have any deaths but knowing how aggressive the triggers are this might happen anyways, the sources I have for ordering them can get them all in at relatively same time and fairly juvenile ( which is what im after) also I was informed to add the picasso last as they can be little terrors.
any info help or anything please

PORK!! YEA!!

I'm not sure all those triggers will get along.

I'm not sure all those triggers will get along.

PROTECT THE PORC! Haha. But really, haven't there been a bunch of situations where triggers ended up pestering a porc pretty bad? All I can picture is a group mugging with the puffer being the one walking solo in a dark alley just to be jumped by some dudes in black hoods...stupid art major brain haha.

What are the dimensions of the ~207 gallon?

I would sell at least one FX5 and use the $ for a good skimmer, you are easily looking at 400$+ new for a effective in sump skimmer (dont even think HOB) for a tank that size and stocking, just FYI. Use the other FX5 to run a ton of carbon and any other media needed.

I love triggers, but they are incredibly active, I would want at least a 180g 6'x2'x2' to house one or two.

Have you considered a harlequin tusk? Or maybe a large angel?

I would sell at least one FX5 and use the $ for a good skimmer

+1! I was just gonna post that.

the fx5;s stay were they are as there perma built in, this is the skimmer I had in mind,
http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/con ... ct=PS-AE6E
havent really thought about angels, i would hate for the porc to get beat up but have seen lots youtube that have mixed triggers with porcs an they seem fine. guess its a flip of the coin.
dimensions are 30wide 24 tall 72 long. if the Niger and the Clown get to 20 inches in captivity i wouldn't want them.
i do like lion fish but they'd most likely get bullied too.
this is kinda sexy <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e7UvX3k6T_s&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e7UvX3k6T_s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

It's ok for you to use those canisters but not with the media that is in there now for FW. I'd add Purigen in one of them & carbon or maybe some kind of phosphate remover in the other.

I am living vicariously through your tank

just keep the Pork! :B

I would never take youtube as a reliable source of examples of how to keep fish.

That skimmer would be a nice choice, of course that one needs a pump as well so +$160-230 your at $600+.

For that amount I would pick up a super reef octopus, they have a bubble blaster pump that is VERY highly rated and supposed to be a world of difference better than downdraft skimmers which are getting to be out dated in comparison, same with the cone design or cone neck of the following skimmers.

(are you looking for external or in sump, I would recommend in sump if you have the room, they are cheaper and if they do overflow, there is no worry of getting nasty skimate on the floor.)

Internal:
Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal Protein Skimmer - SRO-5000INT $499.99
Super Reef Octopus XP-3000 Internal Protein Skimmer - SRO-XP3000INT $559.99 (cone)

External:
Super Reef Octopus 3000 External Protein Skimmer - SRO-3000EXT $569.99
Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 External Protein Skimmer - SRO-XP2000EXT $560.00 (cone)

As you can see externals are going to be more expensive or smaller for the same $. (check out reefspecialty.com or premiumaquatics.com)

Any of those are going to be more than enough skimmer and you would never need to upgrade, you should even be fine with just the Super Reef Octopus 3000 Internal Protein Skimmer for only $399.99

Personally if I had a tank that big and was going to do a aggressive FOWLR, I would get a dog face (panda markings), harlequin tusk (australian), trigger(not sure which), and maybe a snowflake eel.

excellent info Mekong thank you, im looking to do external and them octopus look like a far better product.

im getting anxious.,, 3 more weeks and ill try fish if all lvls stay good. we decided on picasso, black & blueline (triggers) harlequin tusk and porc puffer. ive since removed the sand from tank.
the skimmer installed after about a week is only getting half as much foam so im guessing thats good right?.

No substrate?

Pufferpunk wrote:No substrate?

none at all im a bad aquarium owner lol but i do have 300 lbs of different types you can have, if your interested in changing filbert up lol.

it took a week to fill my tank with my ro unit, anyone ever heard of this product before?
http://cgi.ebay.com/GE-Merlin-RO-Revers ... 1449wt_809

would love to pick it up if it actually does even half that number id be very happy.