I need some color!

[JamesWeaver]

Does anyone have any advice on how to add some color to my tank. Right now it is a FOWLR. I even have fake plants because my wife was driving me nuts about color. Does anyone know what types of coral or if any I could have with a dog face puffer and a Niger trigger. Or really any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Reeferdood]

I have never kept either one of those types of fish but historically they are not friendly fish to have in a reef tank. The only way would be to have a fiberglass fake reef setup (like the ones the guys in Vegas do)
I am sure opinions will vary but this is what I would do if I wanted those fish..
Hope this helps.

 

[JamesWeaver]

I have never kept either one of those types of fish but historically they are not friendly fish to have in a reef tank. The only way would be to have a fiberglass fake reef setup (like the ones the guys in Vegas do)
I am sure opinions will vary but this is what I would do if I wanted those fish..
Hope this helps.

Yes it helps I figured I would have to go the fake route but had a little hope someone had something

 

[Reeferdood]

You never know,
Maybe someone else might have a success story they might share...

 

[Waters]

Neither of those fish will harm coral so you are safe as far as adding coral. The puffer will eat inverts though but that is a totally separate issue. I guess the bigger question is what type of lighting and flow do you currently have?

 

[TheBackAndForth]

You could just buy a bunch or softies in zoas, add a 200 LED light strip, and let it be. Buy the coral on craigslist, and just make sure to remove from base or plug or rock and add to own plug.

 

[Dilan Patel]

Neither of those fish will harm coral so you are safe as far as adding coral. The puffer will eat inverts though but that is a totally separate issue. I guess the bigger question is what type of lighting and flow do you currently have?

\

What he said. Also maybe add a few more fish? What size tank. Maybe add a purple pseduchromis, some wrasses, a ssmall tang like a brisstletooth tang,anthias,chromis,firefish the list can go on.

 

[JamesWeaver]

Neither of those fish will harm coral so you are safe as far as adding coral. The puffer will eat inverts though but that is a totally separate issue. I guess the bigger question is what type of lighting and flow do you currently have?

Lighting I just have an aquaeon LED strip so I know i would have to update my lighting and for my flow I have 2 1850gph powerheads alternating every 12 hours.

 

[Reeferdood]

Neither of those fish will harm coral so you are safe as far as adding coral. The puffer will eat inverts though but that is a totally separate issue. I guess the bigger question is what type of lighting and flow do you currently have?

Well,
the angle I was trying to convey was if you want corals you will need light. Corals, light, puffers and triggers without any crabs because the puffer and trigger ate them equals one color... Green, because there will be no CUC to eat the algae that will be growing on the rocks...

 

[TheBackAndForth]

I would actually keep the tank lightly stocked to prevent algae. you could try urchins though. they destroy algae, and sometimes triggers don't destroy them.

but really, I would only avoid acros and stylos, assuming you get okay lighting, unless you start dosing.

Would start doing changes with a reef salt in advance of adding coral

 

[JamesWeaver]

Well,
the angle I was trying to convey was if you want corals you will need light. Corals, light, puffers and triggers without any crabs because the puffer and trigger ate them equals one color... Green, because there will be no CUC to eat the algae that will be growing on the rocks...

Thanks for confirming. This was my first thought about this whole thing was.

 

[Waters]

Well,
the angle I was trying to convey was if you want corals you will need light. Corals, light, puffers and triggers without any crabs because the puffer and trigger ate them equals one color... Green, because there will be no CUC to eat the algae that will be growing on the rocks...

Lol that is actually not true.....my SPS reef tank has nothing but non-reef safe fish (bird wrasses, triggers).....I have no clean up crew besides one urchin but I have no algae. It can be done.....just a little more difficult There are other methods of keeping the tank clean besides snails and crabs such as balancing nutrients, manual cleaning, fish resistant inverts, etc.

 

[TheBackAndForth]

Try macralgaes or saltwater plants. Look up low light variants.

 

[TheBackAndForth]

Lol that is actually not true.....my SPS reef tank has nothing but non-reef safe fish (bird wrasses, triggers).....I have no clean up crew besides one urchin but I have no algae. It can be done.....just a little more difficult There are other methods of keeping the tank clean besides snails and crabs

Yes, I have urchins and trigger and sps lps . No algae except need to clean glass once a week. My corraline algae does get quickly eaten up though

 

[Reeferdood]

Well heck,
you guys have it all figured out.
Best of luck James, I hope you achieve the goal you are looking for.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

I know a guy who has a porky pine puffer in a sps dom tank and has never munched on a coral

 

[Reeferdood]

I know a guy who has a porky pine puffer in a sps dom tank and has never munched on a coral

That is awesome!
I would love to see a picture of that setup...