If I set up a 90 gallon saltwater tank next to my 90 gallon freshwater one with only a cheap light (no corals) a heater, a hang on the back filter, and rock and sand what are the fish I should focus on given that I feel that more difficult fish like certain tangs would not work in this senario. What fish would work aside from damsels?
Basic tank fish
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tdileo
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Clowns, wrasses, dwarf angels, chromis, cardinals, anthias, gobies, blennies, most butterflies and small tangs.
I don’t really consider many fish to be difficult. The only ones that I think of as that are ones with very specialized diets or fish that ship poorly, and most of them are usually tough once settled in.
I don’t really consider many fish to be difficult. The only ones that I think of as that are ones with very specialized diets or fish that ship poorly, and most of them are usually tough once settled in.
I would skip the filter (most people don't use them in saltwater) and get a couple powerheads. You don't have to get expensive ones. A heater or two, sand, and rock is all you really need. Fish don't even care about light.
Most tangs are actually easy, if you quarantine them. It's just that people tend to put them in too small of a tank.
Some damsels, like the Chrysiptera genus, are pretty, small, and peaceful.
What fishes do you like? If you give us a list, we can help.
Most tangs are actually easy, if you quarantine them. It's just that people tend to put them in too small of a tank.
Some damsels, like the Chrysiptera genus, are pretty, small, and peaceful.
What fishes do you like? If you give us a list, we can help.
AC1211
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I need to cheap so I would prefer to just have a simple tank and I will probably just set it up like I would a freshwater tank except test for salinity and PH more often and keep mostly smaller damsels with perhaps a pair of clowns or a yellow tang if I decide to get a 125
No need to test pH, especially in a fish-only.
A pair of clowns, a yellow tang, and a couple other small fish can be easily done in a standard 90. Keep in mind that after the yellow tang is added, he won't tolerate any deeper bodied fishes added later.
A pair of clowns, a yellow tang, and a couple other small fish can be easily done in a standard 90. Keep in mind that after the yellow tang is added, he won't tolerate any deeper bodied fishes added later.
Go to live aquaria’s website and sort for “easy” to keep fish and see what you like and fits your budget. Less aggressive fish may be better for you because the tank will have less stress. Captive bred fish are also something to consider.
The list of fish groups above is a good place to start. A fox face might be good to consider. Small basslets like the royal gramma and Toby puffers work well too. Small hawkfish like the flame and long nose are cool. Finally, consider fish that will help you by sifting sand, eating algae, and pests if you ever do get coral (blennies, gobies, tangs, Foxface wrasses, damselfish).
For equipment maybe look into a skimmer over a hob filter for nutrient export and oxygenation. But I don’t know what skimmers would be in your budget and useful.
The list of fish groups above is a good place to start. A fox face might be good to consider. Small basslets like the royal gramma and Toby puffers work well too. Small hawkfish like the flame and long nose are cool. Finally, consider fish that will help you by sifting sand, eating algae, and pests if you ever do get coral (blennies, gobies, tangs, Foxface wrasses, damselfish).
For equipment maybe look into a skimmer over a hob filter for nutrient export and oxygenation. But I don’t know what skimmers would be in your budget and useful.
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Claus84
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That depends on what other filtration you are using really, are you planning on using live rock?
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Don't forget the powerhead/wavemaker
For FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) you have quite a few choices. Small Butterflyfish like this guy would work (just be aware that if you get inverts they will likely eat them: Shrimp, hermit crabs and snails). Damsels may be cheap and hardy but they can be absolute jerks to their tank mates. Personally I will never have one in my tank. A One Spot Foxface could work for you, but the others get too big IMHO. Clownfish and Cardinalfish are pretty cheap (by saltwater standards). A Small bristletooth Tang (ie Kole, Squaretail, Tomini) but just be aware that they can be jerks. They also poop like crazy.
Here are the butterflyfish, I would recommend for a FOWLR tank:
https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/223/spotband-butterflyfish?pcatid=223&c=15+25+223
https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+25+258&pcatid=258
I’m no expert but my advice is to use
Mostly live rock in your tank as your filtration because it will be your best bet for reducing ammonia and nitrite. Look at some Fowlr tanks in the build threads and I bet you’ll find some that help.
Mostly live rock in your tank as your filtration because it will be your best bet for reducing ammonia and nitrite. Look at some Fowlr tanks in the build threads and I bet you’ll find some that help.
Oh I was responding to your post saying you’d not use a lot of rock. I do think a hob can help as place to put other media like carbon and marine pure and your heater. Or you can turn it into a fuge for macro algae.
CalebWBrink2000
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I would get a skimmer.
Just quickly skimming over your thread, I think it's worth noting that trying to do saltwater the exact same way as you do fresh isn't going to work. You don't need to "clean" the caves/decorations, for example.
I would recommend you get some live or dry sand (doesn't really matter), and lots of live rock. Create a cool aquascape. Get a HOB filter and run some bio media and maybe some carbon. Get a HOB skimmer- it'll help, especially on a FOWLR where I'll assume you'll have a higher bioload due to the focus being on fish. Obviously you'll need a heater. Get some powerheads/wavemakers too- it'll help prevent deadspots in the system. You won't need as many as a reef, but movement is good.
Once the system is set up, all you'll really need to do is the occasional water change and keeping the tank topped off. You don't need to scrub the rocks or anything silly like that- Saltwater systems are about emulating an ecosystem moreso than displaying fish in a glass box.
In terms of fish, I'd get a pair of clowns (can't have a saltwater tank w/o one), perhaps a yellow or tomini tang, a puffer even. I'd definitely get a butterfly or two, since they're the beautiful but forbidden fish of reefs. Your options are rather flexible.
You can also add a skimmer later when you have more fish - you don’t need to get everything at once. Skimmers are just a useful tool on most tanks over 20-30 gallons
JumboShrimp
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I think you’d absolutely love a Valentini Puffer for your 90 gallon tank. Beautiful, small, lots of personality, and mine eats flake, small floating pellets, nori off a clip, and many kinds of frozen meaty foods. He also ‘plays nice’ with everyone, including a Kole Tang and Bicolor Angel. Aiptasia Eating Filefish are also neat in a 90 gallon as a much gentler substitute for a potentially bully ‘Trigger’.
40B Knasty
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I have a 65g with a HOB FLUVAL C4. HOB REEF OCTOPUS BH1000.
What works for my 65g is the Marine Pure plate I put in the chemical media basket. Also the 62lbs of good live rock. My ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are always 0ppm. I feed 2-3x a day heavy.
Get yourself 90lbs of dry rock with high porosity. Get it clean for a good month or two with heated saltwater and a powerhead. Do 100% water changes every week.
Get the FLUVAL C4 stick a plate of Marine Pure in the media basket.
Get a REEF OCTOPUS BH 2000 or Classic 90.
Get an AQUEON PRO 200W
Get 2x Jebao OW-25 wave makers.
Get an LED light that does not have the ability to support algae growth or corals.
Get a sand of choice. With the depth you want.
If you really want to beef up the filtration. Add a 2nd C4 and do the same by adding another MP plate.
This is about as cheap as you will get in my opinion and have great results.
A lot fish will be great for a tank this size, but I would look for fish in the "30-75g suggested requirement"
If you are thinking of a tang. Tomni would be your best bet. There is a bunch dwarf angels that could work. Look to add them last. There is some great wrasse to be had in a tank this size. Stay away from the 6 line. Marine Betta is a great idea. Small puffers. You could get a bunch of Anthias, just make sure they are fed enough times throughout the day(meaning 2x minimal).
If you are looking to add a media to the system. Get a HOB Tetra 10. Pick up some BRS ROX.08 Carbon. Make your own bags. You can also mix some Phosguard in the carbon to help with phosphates. Purigen is also another good chemical media that you don't need to change out for awhile. Says to change every 6 month.
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AC1211
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I probably will not get a skimmer right away only if I need more filtration later I keep only 5 fish in my 90 gallon freshwater tank but they are larger cichlids. I intend to keep maybe 3 or 4 fish in this tank so a skimmer might not even be necessary.
Also do I have to completely thaw out frozen food before feeding asking for my frwahwater tank but it should apply to my saltwater one.
