[ratherton]

I am setting up a 120-gallon reef aquarium and I am a little confused!! I have a Aqua EV 240 protein skimmer, 2 250 watt metal halides at 10,000 K. What I am interested in asking is what and how many specimens (fish, corals and inverts) I can place in this tank. The only glitch is that my wife wants a couple of dwarf lions in the reef I would really appreciate you all’s help.

[reefhead]

lions are not a good choice in a reef. however, it wont be the first time.

try doing a search using this keyphrase

dwarf lion and reef

[ratherton]

Thanks a lot!!

[tendar]

Dwarf lions can be add to a reef tank but there some draw backs.
They are canivorios so no shrimps or small fish. They are heavy waste producers but a good skimmer will help alot with that.
Corals are only limited to room you have in the tank and keeping a little distance between each for growing room and keeps them from stinging each other.
The fewer the fish the better overall for the cleaner the water the heathier the corals.

[ratherton]

Is there a compatibility chart anywhere on the net that specifies what I can match and mix? I have seen tanks that seem to have a little of everything but I have heard they are no no's. What would be a great tank?

[pigmy_angel]

Most of the larger fish retailers have compatability charts such as Marine Depot Live. Also If you want to have alot of fish or carnivorus fish I recommend a soft coral tank as these are usually found in higher levels of fish load, that is what I read in Aquarium Corals

[ratherton]

Pigmy_angel, thanks

This is what has been recommended to date. But I feel it is too little for a 120 gallon (+ 30 gallon sump) tank.

2 Shortfin Dwarf Lions
4 True Perculated Clowns
2 Banggai Cardinals
1 Large Cleaner Wrasse
1 Algae Blenny
2 or 3 Clown Gobies
1 Dottyback
1 Red or Brown Brittle Star
1 Maximus Clam
2-15 Feather Dusters

[tendar]

You will have some copatabilie problems with that list and it is alot of fish 12-13.
The dwarf lions would probably eat the clown gobies sooner or latter.
Cleaner Wrasses are not recomended at anytime because most will not take to prepared foods and starve. They need a large number of big fish to suvive most of the time. I would definetly skip that one. Neon gobies are a much better choice but then they could very well end up a meal for the lions also.
The perculas I would go with 2. You can go with 4 but only 2 will pair up and the other 2 will be subordents males hangin around the out side.
Feather duster at a filter feeder so I would keep them more around 2-5 at least till the system has been up for a while.
Dotty backs are good fish but some are can be fairly aggressive and would be put in last.
In general small fish with lions are a rish at being eaten unless they are close to the size of the lion or bigger.

my 2cents anyway

[ratherton]

If you all are interested go to this page: www.shawnbennett.com.Fish

[ratherton]

If you all are interested go to this page: www.shawnbennett.com.Fish.html This is what I am getting at, some people say this is not possible and to be honest with you all I think this tank is neat. Do you all think a Lion could fit in here?? I am sure you all have noticed that I am new at this.

[tendar]

link doesnt work for me anyway

[ratherton]

Try this one and then go to fish www.shawnbennett.com

It is very cool.

Richard