FOWLR Tank for beginner...sort of.

djd3mon · Dec 5, 2016

I am going to be setting up a tank for my dad. He moved into a small apartment and is bored as heck and needs something to do. I was thinking of setting him up a 40 Gallon Breeder tank FOWLR with just s few corals that I don't care if they get picked on. I need help on picking some fish.

I'm a huge fan of Felicia's 40B Mixed-Reef Predator tank. I would love to have something similar for him but I'm not sure if it will be the best thing for a beginner to maintain. If anyone was to get stung by a lion fish, it would be him. I will be teaching everything he needs to know about his aquarium in case I cant be around immediately.

He is in an apartment on the 2nd floor, would a 40 gallon DT and a 40 Gallon sump be too big?

What fish would you recommend for a beginner......but at the same time something I cago over there with him and enjoy as well besides the normal Clown fish, wrasse, shrimp or damsels?

Thanks.

Diesel · Dec 5, 2016

Great idea my friend.
My dad always enjoyed my tank back in Holland when he was still around.
Make sure if you set it up that your dad is helping you to make him understand how everything works.
Just in time off he can address a problem to you or fixed it him self.
40 breeder is a great tank for a FOWLER but you are limited on big size fish.
Many FOWLER fish are all coral predators and get mostly large.
Dwarf angels and butterflies are great, but some of the reef save fish are pretty too for a mix.
Look at http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15 for great info.
We have many great sponsors on here that have plenty of specialty fish in stock.
A 40 breeder will be more than enough for a sump.

djd3mon · Dec 5, 2016

Diesel said:
Great idea my friend.
My dad always enjoyed my tank back in Holland when he was still around.
Make sure if you set it up that your dad is helping you to make him understand how everything works.
Just in time off he can address a problem to you or fixed it him self.
40 breeder is a great tank for a FOWLER but you are limited on big size fish.
Many FOWLER fish are all coral predators and get mostly large.
Dwarf angels and butterflies are great, but some of the reef save fish are pretty too for a mix.
Look at http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15 for great info.
We have many great sponsors on here that have plenty of specialty fish in stock.
A 40 breeder will be more than enough for a sump.

I'm going to have him involved in the whole process, I'll be there for whatever problems he has so we can get it fixed together.
I wish I could give him a larger tank but he decided to get a 2nd floor apartment instead of a 1st floor since it was cheaper.
Thank you for the link, I will look through there and see what fish will work and let him pick out what he likes...as long as they will go together.
I have a feeling he will just want 1 single clown fish, lol...even he knows "Nemo"
I dont think he knows "Dory" yet, Thank God!

Thank you.

Diesel · Dec 5, 2016

Start a build thread as it can inspire more members if they want to do something similar.
Give it a cool name that reflects the reason why you doing this for your Dad.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

djd3mon · Dec 5, 2016

Diesel said:
Start a build thread as it can inspire more members if they want to do something similar.
Give it a cool name that reflects the reason why you doing this for your Dad.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

Definitely will do this!!

Diesel · Dec 5, 2016

djd3mon said:
Definitely will do this!!

If you do tag me in it (@Diesel) and I'll bump it a few times to get some eyes on the build and it helps you with lots of good info ppl drop at you and your dad.
Maybe you can get him a account here as it might make him more interested than just look and a feed the fish.

djd3mon · Dec 5, 2016

Diesel said:
If you do tag me in it (@Diesel) and I'll bump it a few times to get some eyes on the build and it helps you with lots of good info ppl drop at you and your dad.
Maybe you can get him a account here as it might make him more interested than just look and a feed the fish.

Will do bud.

I will try to get him on here. He was mentioning to me the other day that he might break down and get internet. Next step is to get him a computer.

Diesel · Dec 5, 2016

A tablet is all he needs if he uses the internet only.

djd3mon · Dec 5, 2016

Diesel said:
A tablet is all he needs if he uses the internet only.

True. He does have a tablet I bough him for Christmas last year...I honestly think he forgot about it. I will get him up to speed.

tj w · Dec 5, 2016

Fantastic idea you have for your dad. I think he'll be super stoked. I would look into maybe a dwarf lion, maybe some scorps,anglers, dwarf angels, smaller butterflies, dottybacks, hell even some damsels just to name a few. Gorgs typically do well in fowlr tanks as well.

djd3mon · Dec 5, 2016

tj w said:
Fantastic idea you have for your dad. I think he'll be super stoked. I would look into maybe a dwarf lion, maybe some scorps,anglers, dwarf angels, smaller butterflies, dottybacks, hell even some damsels just to name a few. Gorgs typically do well in fowlr tanks as well.

I definitely want to put 1 or 2 lion fish in there with some Purple, red and orange Gorg's
I've always wanted a Rhinopias. Might have to get "him" one, lol

tj w · Dec 5, 2016

Lol.. Rhinopias is the holy grail of all preds in aquaria for me. Truly beautiful fish. If I could get it by my wife I'd definitely have one as well. My fuzzy dwarf is one of my favorite fish in my reef. Always out front and center begging and spitting water.

djd3mon · Dec 5, 2016

tj w said:
Lol.. Rhinopias is the holy grail of all preds in aquaria for me. Truly beautiful fish. If I could get it by my wife I'd definitely have one as well. My fuzzy dwarf is one of my favorite fish in my reef. Always out front and center begging and spitting water.

The price of them is CRAZY but well worth it. Beautiful creatures.
Spitting water? out of the tank?