Fish only 210 gallon

[ReeferReefer]

Looking for some setup ideas. My friend just got a new house with a built in tank. It's an in wall 103x22x22 with a 36x12x12 sump.

We are looking to do a fish only system with the possibility of corals down to road. It's got an old wet dry filter that I think I am going to gut and replace with a skimmer.

I was thinking we could put a at least 100 lbs of rock in and getting it cycled. Then going with peaceful mostly reef safe fish.

Top contenders are Marron clowns, yellow tang, and wrasses.

Current equipments upgrades include Apex, ATO and skimmer. Not sure if I can fit a fuge in the sump too. Not sure how necessary an rodi system is for Fish only.

Stocking and equipment suggestions welcome!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Love the dimensions of that tank!!

 

[ReeferReefer]

Love the dimensions of that tank!!

Thanks. I'd love to hear what you would do with it. We are going for a low maintenance fish only system to start. We will see if the owners want to do coral down the road.

What fun but hardy fish would you recommend?

The nature of this set up will not allow the quarantine of incoming fish so I think several types of more sensitive tangs might not be viable.

I'm planning to gutting the sump and putting in a fuge and skimmer.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Current ideas for stocking include


2 maroon clowns

1 yellow tang

1 blue hippo tang

1 porcine puffer

1 Melanarius wrasse

1 diamond goby

1 dwarf angel

1 lawnmower blenny

1 fairy wrasse

1 coris wrasse

2 fire fish

1 long nose hawk fish


The idea being a low maintenance fowlr system that could transition to a softie tank down the road. Not sure if this would be overstocked. I'd rather be under stocked.

Owners seem most keen on clown fish, blue hippo tang and a puffer.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Often overlooked: Harlequin Bass

 

[timrocks311]

Thanks. I'd love to hear what you would do with it. We are going for a low maintenance fish only system to start. We will see if the owners want to do coral down the road.

What fun but hardy fish would you recommend?

The nature of this set up will not allow the quarantine of incoming fish so I think several types of more sensitive tangs might not be viable.

I'm planning to gutting the sump and putting in a fuge and skimmer.

Yeah, I'd start with a new sump with a good size skimmer. You might want UV for fish only. Otherwise, replace the rock with new live/dry rock. You'll need probably a lot more than 100 lbs.

The fish list is up to the owner really. For me, fish only, I'd consider some angels.

Otherwise, consider what you can do in the fish room to make things easier. Water reservoirs, ATO, the plumbing you want, sink or drain? For fish only you don't need crazy lights, so I'd pick some cheaper LEDs that have wide coverage.

 

[Jacked Reefer]

For a fo angelfish are the way to go. Also check out some triggers like a blue jaw or sargassum

 

[Salty Lemon]

I had two gorgeous maroon clowns that were hosted by my purple tip anemone back in the 90's. They were beautiful -- but mean. I later learned they can be on the aggressive side -- and especially in pairs. Mine were hostile to everybody. However...I put that anemone in the tank and they were caring for it within a few days. When I set up a reef tank again over a year ago, I debated on maroon clowns because they are my favorite in appearance, but I went with blackish ice clowns because I didn't want bullies again. It depends on the fish personality I suppose. As always, I'm sure there are people who have kept them and they were fine. But I just wanted to mention my experience.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I had two gorgeous maroon clowns that were hosted by my purple tip anemone back in the 90's. They were beautiful -- but mean. I later learned they can be on the aggressive side -- and especially in pairs. Mine were hostile to everybody. However...I put that anemone in the tank and they were caring for it within a few days. When I set up a reef tank again over a year ago, I debated on maroon clowns because they are my favorite in appearance, but I went with blackish ice clowns because I didn't want bullies again. It depends on the fish personality I suppose. As always, I'm sure there are people who have kept them and they were fine. But I just wanted to mention my experience.

I was hoping to add a young pair as the last set of small fish's, then add in the larger fish. Hopefully the clowns won't be big enough to be super mean yet?

 

[Salty Lemon]

I was hoping to add a young pair as the last set of small fish's, then add in the larger fish. Hopefully the clowns won't be big enough to be super mean yet?

Good plan.

 

[Marine Iguana]

If I had a larger, FO tank, I’d definitely consider doing a couple angels, but if you go for a softie tank down the road these would be problematic. You could look at some geniacanthus angels if you might do corals, look at Lamarck and Swallowtail angelfish. I’m also a sucker for Longsnout Butterflyfish as well.

Also, if you’re planning on doing a big puffer, just keep an eye on it with smaller, less aggressive additions.

Some other considerations: mono sebae, smaller triggerfish species, powder blue tang, marine Betta, a few fairy wrasse, harlequin tuskfish, kole tang, and flame hawkfish

 

[ReeferReefer]

If I had a larger, FO tank, I’d definitely consider doing a couple angels, but if you go for a softie tank down the road these would be problematic. You could look at some geniacanthus angels if you might do corals, look at Lamarck and Swallowtail angelfish. I’m also a sucker for Longsnout Butterflyfish as well.

Also, if you’re planning on doing a big puffer, just keep an eye on it with smaller, less aggressive additions.

Some other considerations: mono sebae, smaller triggerfish species, powder blue tang, marine Betta, a few fairy wrasse, harlequin tuskfish, kole tang, and flame hawkfish

Great advice. I'm considering a blue throat trigger as well. I'll add kole to the list. I love the one I have in my 90g. I worry about powder blue with no qt system. Is hypo in the dt a viable method of treating ich in a fowlr?

 

[Jacked Reefer]

Great advice. I'm considering a blue throat trigger as well. I'll add kole to the list. I love the one I have in my 90g. I worry about powder blue with no qt system. Is hypo in the dt a viable method of treating ich in a fowlr?

In a Fowlr no. In a fish only with non porous inserts you could constantly run a low dose of copper.

 

[Jesterrace]

I was hoping to add a young pair as the last set of small fish's, then add in the larger fish. Hopefully the clowns won't be big enough to be super mean yet?

Maroons are mean, even in 200 plus gallon systems. There is a guy who works at my LFS who has a 210 and he is currently trying to get rid of his because they will not allow ANYTHING into their turf, that means if you have a fish that dies for whatever reason and you try and replace it with something else you will likely have problems, any invert that goes into their section will be considered a threat. Personally I feel that Maroon, Tomato, Clarki, Cinnamon, etc clowns are best suited for species dedicated tanks since they don't play nice with others. I agree that I would look into some full size angels for that tank as they will be a much better fit.

 

[Marine Iguana]

Maroons are mean, even in 200 plus gallon systems. There is a guy who works at my LFS who has a 210 and he is currently trying to get rid of his because they will not allow ANYTHING into their turf, that means if you have a fish that dies for whatever reason and you try and replace it with something else you will likely have problems, any invert that goes into their section will be considered a threat. Personally I feel that Maroon, Tomato, Clarki, Cinnamon, etc clowns are best suited for species dedicated tanks since they don't play nice with others. I agree that I would look into some full size angels for that tank as they will be a much better fit.

I have a pair of maroons in my 75- they are certainly territorial, but I’ve never had a problem with them beating up anything too bad- even after being established in the tank 8 years they are fine with new additions. A 210 should give enough room to allow anything to stay clear of the clowns if they end up being on the meaner side.

 

[ReeferReefer]

In a Fowlr no. In a fish only with non porous inserts you could constantly run a low dose of copper.

Well the tank is set up of FO right now with inserts and bio balls.

I was going to convert to FOWLR because I assumed it would be the easier and cheaper option in the long run. My experience is only with reef tanks so my plan was to add a refugium and skimmer.

Do you have any suggestions for running a FO system? What would the ideal filtration system be?

 

[roberthu526]

Great advice. I'm considering a blue throat trigger as well. I'll add kole to the list. I love the one I have in my 90g. I worry about powder blue with no qt system. Is hypo in the dt a viable method of treating ich in a fowlr?

I would suggest running a UV for fish health. I run a 120W Pentair unit and it is one of the best purchases I have ever made for the 300G build. The bulb lasts about a year and it’s about $100 each. Considering how much fish food it takes to feed a 210 or 300 gallon system, $100 a year is a small amount of money.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Actually the wet/dry filters system is quite efficient and functional for a fish only system. High oxygen levels and quick adaptation to fluctuations in population density make this filter an excellent choice for fish only systems. I would add a mechanical filter followed by a U.V. in the 120,000 micro watt kill range and you would have a great fish holding system that would offer protection from many common marine fish disease problems. I have used this type of filter for fish holding systems in large retail stores with great success over the years.
Just a thought.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I would suggest running a UV for fish health. I run a 120W Pentair unit and it is one of the best purchases I have ever made for the 300G build. The bulb lasts about a year and it’s about $100 each. Considering how much fish food it takes to feed a 210 or 300 gallon system, $100 a year is a small amount of money.

There is actually a uv filter in the system. I'll check the model tomorrow when I'm servicing it. I will use that for sure.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

There is actually a uv filter in the system. I'll check the model tomorrow when I'm servicing it. I will use that for sure.

Make sure the dwell time is matched to the pump. Also just as a precaution put in a new lamp. Replace lamps every 6 months for best performance.