Fish
- Thread starter owen_1.1200500
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A build thread is where you post your tank build and take pics of what you have or what you planned. Your tank, equipment, general information on the system. It's quite fun. Click on forums them scroll down to members tanks and click start new thread. Also, you can click on the meet and greet forum to introduce yourself since your new.
Also are you checking ammonia levels? When you can add an ammonia source, and the bacteria take the ammonia level to zero is when you tank is ready for a fish.
IMO it's not ethical to throw some fish in and see if they live As a test. Test to find out if it's safe.
IMO it's not ethical to throw some fish in and see if they live As a test. Test to find out if it's safe.
I've got a 65g so I've done quite a bit of research into what fish will fit into that particular range of tank sizes Clownfish, royal gamma, Midas blenny, gobies, kole tangs (if you leave a lot of swimming room and not very many other fish with good filtration), pipefish(after haveing your tank set up for like a year and figuring out how to feed them as they are pretty tricky and require special food), or if you don't mind sticking to only one type of fish there are many really cool types of puffers that would do really well in that size of tank. Some of the puffers might need to be kept by themselves, some can be kept with other fish, some can be kept in small groups. Puffers are beautiful, unique fish, and give that saltwater look without the headache of huge tanks like tangs. Just a heads up though they do tend to need some live snails in their diet and most eat shrimp. Do some research into which one you want becuase their personalities are quite different.
drblakjak55
Active Member
Owen, sounds like you need a good lfs guy to get you started.
A 75 g tank. You have 60 pounds of some porous rock? 40 pounds live sand? A month to cycle it. 1000$ to light it and filter it. 1000$ fish and are very particular who they’ll live with. You said no $$corals Testing,cleaning, planning, worrying, two hours a day.
Viewing pleasure. Priceless.
A 75 g tank. You have 60 pounds of some porous rock? 40 pounds live sand? A month to cycle it. 1000$ to light it and filter it. 1000$ fish and are very particular who they’ll live with. You said no $$corals Testing,cleaning, planning, worrying, two hours a day.
Viewing pleasure. Priceless.
I know the "fish police" or "tang police" will go after me for this but,,,, I think many people waaaaaay over-think this!!! This "hobby" is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. It can't be fun and enjoyable if you have to be afraid of every little detail based upon some guessing about a theory on how big of a tank you should have or how much $$ you would have to dump into having a big tank, in order to have certain fish.
With that being said,, Owen,,, I have a 75 gallon, I keep 4 tangs that I brought in as juveniles with a plan in the near future to buy a larger tank (which I never did). The four tangs are a Blue Hippo, Powder Brown, Yellow, and a Purple Tang. I have a purple firefish, 2 clowns, 4 green chromis, 1 damsel. I kept these fish for about a year and a half already. It doesn't look like any of the fish got too big for the tank yet and they're all still happy. The plan is, as soon as they do seem like they need more room, I will give the tangs away or trade them with my LFS for smaller ones. Before that happens, I think I would've gotten 2 or 3 years of enjoyment out of them.
Yes, probably reckless, but here's the thing, there's certain fish that I want, and of course, for my 6 year old daughter,,, you don't think she wants a "Dory and Nemo?" So, I'm gonna say no cause the "Tang Police" says no?
I don't know,,,, up to you,,, but all I can say is,, besides battling nutrient issues for a while,,, all is well in my tank after a year and half and I think I should be able to get another year before having to re-think my strategy on housing the bigger fish.
I will advise, buy the smaller fish first and work you're way up.
John
With that being said,, Owen,,, I have a 75 gallon, I keep 4 tangs that I brought in as juveniles with a plan in the near future to buy a larger tank (which I never did). The four tangs are a Blue Hippo, Powder Brown, Yellow, and a Purple Tang. I have a purple firefish, 2 clowns, 4 green chromis, 1 damsel. I kept these fish for about a year and a half already. It doesn't look like any of the fish got too big for the tank yet and they're all still happy. The plan is, as soon as they do seem like they need more room, I will give the tangs away or trade them with my LFS for smaller ones. Before that happens, I think I would've gotten 2 or 3 years of enjoyment out of them.
Yes, probably reckless, but here's the thing, there's certain fish that I want, and of course, for my 6 year old daughter,,, you don't think she wants a "Dory and Nemo?" So, I'm gonna say no cause the "Tang Police" says no?
I don't know,,,, up to you,,, but all I can say is,, besides battling nutrient issues for a while,,, all is well in my tank after a year and half and I think I should be able to get another year before having to re-think my strategy on housing the bigger fish.
I will advise, buy the smaller fish first and work you're way up.
John
This advice I would not recommend for someone new in the hobby. Have and can people do it, sure. Most experienced reefers have the knowledge, proper equipment to do so. We're here to help in hopes a new member will be successful, not take reckless chances with living animals in the hands of a new comer. IMO, buying a bunch of fish to have them die doesn't seem fun at all, getting advice from members here to pick fish properly sized for a tank so you can watch grow sounds much more enjoyable. Seeing your a new member, welcome to R2R. You should start a build thread.
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Susan Edwards
5000 Club Member
I think it comes down to researching what you want and what the needs of the fish or coral are and deciding if you can meet those needs. There's also the point that I don't think the fish are necessarily better off at the lfs. They may have a better chance of survival in a home aquarium--again, with someone who wants them and is willing to met their needs. I think that is key. And knowing what you're getting into. If you know your fish is going to get too big, then have an exit plan--one that takes the fish into consideration. And if you want a big bio load of fish, see what you need to handle it and add slow, over a year and evaluate as you go. There are many ways to get what we want if we take the time and effort, emphasis on time.
A case in point: I have a gold head sand sifting goby that I'm not sure what to do with as my display tank now has corals on the sandbed. He's in my display refugium and is free to make a disaster there. When I set up my new tank, I have to decide what to do with him as I'm turning the refugium into a qt tank. One thing is for sure--he is not going back to any of the lfs I've been too--it would be signing his death warrant. I might remove the corals to the new tank and return him to the original display (removed him last June to allow tank to go fallow) or put him in a coral qt tank and yes, that means sand and rock at least in one corner.
A case in point: I have a gold head sand sifting goby that I'm not sure what to do with as my display tank now has corals on the sandbed. He's in my display refugium and is free to make a disaster there. When I set up my new tank, I have to decide what to do with him as I'm turning the refugium into a qt tank. One thing is for sure--he is not going back to any of the lfs I've been too--it would be signing his death warrant. I might remove the corals to the new tank and return him to the original display (removed him last June to allow tank to go fallow) or put him in a coral qt tank and yes, that means sand and rock at least in one corner.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
If fish are indeed healthy and well-taken care of, then they should grow at their natural pace. If 4 tangs haven't outgrown a 65g tank in a year and a half, then their growth has been stunted, they are not healthy.
When we take home living creatures they are not decorations. We have a responsibility to properly take care of them. Hopefully, providing correctly for them brings us joy. But to inadequately provide them simply because 'we want it' is the height of selfishness.
There aren't countless rules to have to memorize and follow. But there are care requirements. If there is a fish you want, research it's requirements, if you cannot meet it's requirements, then don't bring it into your care, plain and simple.
LA is dealing in generalities. They don't know the combination of species each individual is dealing with. That's why forums, where specific fish lists can be asked about, and people with firsthand experience can chime in are a more valuable resource.
Meeting the needs of the fish is key, as you said. Someone just buying a fish that is inappropriate for their tank just to 'rescue it' is still dooming the fish if they can't provide for its needs.
Susan Edwards
5000 Club Member
@eatbreakfast Agree that we can't just rescue fish--way too many, we'd need our own oceans <g>. Just common sense, research and plans for when fish get too big--humane plans.
