[salttanker]

Hello all - it has been a while since I posted, but I wanted to ask you a question about a FOWLR setup with the possibility of having some colorful additions added to the tank. I am not experienced with corals of any sort, but I just want to add color to my tank, and to avoid using "fake" decoration as it needs to be cleaned too often. Here is what I have:

90G FOWLR - Setup for 8 months
Fish:
Niger Trigger
Foxface
Carpenter Wrasse
2 Damsels

Lighting:
4x65w Corallife 48" retrofit
1 Blue Moon 40w NO

Other:
Skimmer, Powerheads, Pumps, Heater, Filters, etc.

Will you all please let me know if there are any colorful inverts, or corals I can add to my tank to get some vibrant colors in there? TIA

Mike

[Reefland]

Hi Mike!

The Niger Trigger could potential nip at any coral you add to the tank, some don't cause a problem at all with coral. With that said, your lighting would support most Soft Corals and LPS corals, along with Zoanthinds and Mushrooms. I think anything "wavy" may entice the Niger Trigger so you might try something like a brain coral to see how it fairs.

[salttanker]

Thanks for the quick reply, Scott. So mushrooms and brain coral looks to be a little more safe with the Trigger. I knew this would happen. I have been doing FOWLR's for many years, and now it looks like I am going to step over the Reef side of things. I just think the colors are spectacular!


Mike

[Samper]

Reefing...........the single most addicting thing on the planet.

[saltjunkie]

well, in my experience.. if you have a fish.. say a niger in the tank for awhile and add something new.. he will check it out.. taste test , kinda.. i mean he is used to eating what you put in there...

but say if you have corals and add a small niger, he is more opt to not bother what is in there....
saying that niger triggers and the like... have the upturned mouth that is mot=re suitable for eating out of the water colum.. wereas the humma humma, clown, and the like, have the point snout to get in at inverts, and crabs and coral.. with their eyes high and away from their mouths..

being as you alreafdy have the niger, i would be scared to add inverts.. maybe try something nice and cheap(is there such a thing?) place it in at night, long after the fish have settled in for rest...
good luck

[salttanker]

saltjunkie - What would you suggest I use as a test for some type of coral, or brain? I was thinking about getting a brain as Scott pointed out since it doesn't really wave in the water attracting attention. Plus, it seems they come in various colors, which is really what I want. I don't want to do the fake corals as it would be something else I would have to worry about cleaning all the time. Any additional input would be great. Thanks

Mike

[Reefland]

It is really a risk to put corals into the tank. Like saltjunkie said they are more likely to "taste" a coral that is introduced after they are established than they would be to taste on that was established before they were. I think a coral that is not wavy (leathers, xenia, etc) would be your best attempt which is why I suggested a brain coral.

[Samper]

When the brain feeds though he would be vulnerable to nippy fish.

[salttanker]

ok. Maybe Corals are a bad idea for me at this point. Are there any colorful plants I can add without them nipping at those? I just want color, and a little more life. If I have to, I will take my Trigger back to the lfs where I bought him.


Mike