Possible 2nd ASU aquarium

[Samper]

I was once again approached today by the head of the biology department. The faculty so far have been extremely impressed with the reef aquarium I have been getting going over the last few months. They said that they like my work ethic and have been considering in board meetings setting up another 180 gallon display on a different wall. This display will be an aggressive FO.

They mentioned to me

Lionfish
A Clown Trigger
and a pair of Eels

I let them know up front that I haven't ever kept a system like this but that I would do the research and put them another proposal together if it is something that I felt I could do.

I know very little about these animals so naturally I figured I would ask here first what factors I need to take into consideration in keeping them.

The filtration system and flow will need to be strong enough to handle the waste and feedings for these animals. The display and plumbing will need to be sealed up pretty good as I've read that eels can be escape artists. Lighting won't matter but will need to look good of course.

I'm picturing a large euro reef skimmer and another sequence pump. Plumbing all coming into the back with guards in place on the outlets and overflows. A removable top with plastic screen in the back for ventilation and to prevent escape attempts.

I just got hit with this and just got home so my mind is racing. If anyone has any suggestions on any aspect of this system from equipment to livestock please jump in and let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

[wozza]

well you mentioned good flow for filtration, i kept a lionfish for a few months and they are not great swimmers, but they only need feeding every other/few days so i guess you could just turn the pumps off to feed him. also they can be tricky to get feeding it took me a few days to get mine to, i had to get a pair of tongs and wave the food infront of him and then when he was intrested move it away from him to make it look like its was trying to escape, i think he liked the chase. but he was very responsive when i would come in the room he would beg to be fed, almost like a dog.

as for the triggers and eels never kept eather of them so im no help there.

HTH james

[DonW]

I would probably go with a oversized wet dry and big skimmer on that sort of tank.

Don

[Samper]

Why a wet dry?????

[DonW]

Why a wet dry?????

Wet drys are very efficient, much more so than LR at removing NH3 and NO2. Agressive tanks are fed alot and usually meaty foods. This makes alot pollution.

Don

[Samper]

For the Eels I was looking at Gymnomuraena zebra here

ZebraMoray

and they also agree with the power filter + protein skimmer. I wouldn't have thought that a large protein skimmer couldn't handle the job.

[leebca]

Sorry Samper. I wrote a very long post yesterday but somehow didn't hit the post button!

I also recommended the wet/dry for the same reason as Don.

I also recommended that the skimmer be an overkill.

I also suggested that you use minimal LR (let the wet/dry do its job) since you don't care about nitrates and those kinds of fish are not bothered by them.

Also, less LR is better for the Clown as it will re-decorate if it can. To this end I recommend fixing your landscaping. You need two hiding places for each eel that can't be blocked or changed by the Trigger. Plastering everything into place is a good idea with that Trigger.

The Clown is a bad attitude fish. Sorry they want such a fish. I would suggest adding a large Wrasse that swims in the open. Otherwise that tank is going to look pretty dull. The Eels will hide; the Lionfish will just sit. Not too much action in that tank.

Put the Clown in last and make sure it is more than twice the size of the Lion's mouth.

[Samper]

Thank you for your response. I've never used a wet dry filter or kept these animals so I have my work cut out for me. As I stated I'm not going to take this on if I can't do it right.

I didn't think about a wrasse but that's a good idea. There are so many beautiful ones out there. I've always thought the Thalassoma lunare was nice to gaze on. They seem pretty common and easy to find as well. An adult size of 10" is pretty big though in combination with the other inhabitants.

As for the lionfish I am considering some of the medium sized lions from the Pterois family. How does that sit with you?

Eels.... how about a pair of Echidna nebulosa or Gymnomuraena zebra? I really only want to deal with one so I'm going to work on that with them.

I don't plan on using much live rock at all for this tank but it will have an oolitic sand bed. I figure one box of large size pieces will be fine. Then I can decorate with some artificial things creating hiding spaces with them for easier viewing. I figure that since I won't be able to keep a cleanup crew around it would be good to have artificial deco that I could remove and clean up if needed.

Have to get back to Calculus homework....and have an Applied Statistics test tomorrow...Thanks for your help so far.

[leebca]

Lionfishes in that group often get above 10" but it should do well with those tank mates.

Either Eel is good, the E. nebulosa will remain smaller.

I'd say that Wrasse was a perfect choice.