fish only or reef?

[vicki]

I am new to marine fish and thought that a fish only tank was the way to go. I have 180 litre tank with standard lighting (white and blue). Someone else has suggested that a reef is better.

As I haven't got my tank set up yet I am looking for advice.

Any opinions?

[Macca]

Vicki, what kind of fish where you thinking of keeping?

James

[www.ro-man.com]

WOW this is a bg Question..

One is Money the Other is how much do you like big fish..

My story in my 8ft is it was going to be fish onlu then I started to think how nice it would look with reef. 150k of rock and about £3000 of iinverts later, Im of the opinion I should have just put fish only as I also like big angles etc...

The water quality in fish only is less critical and the fish will handle more swings. I had one customer have a invert wipe out due to a fresh water bath the salt when down to 1,010 most inverts did not make it ALL of the fish did.. Lighting is not need so much so the is a big saving here also.. My 8th cost over £700 in lighting...

Do not let the above put you off, a well set up reef tank will look 100 times better and fish only... and you can still have some Very nice fish..

Martyn

[Kev]

a well set up reef tank will look 100 times better and fish only...

Now that depends on what an individual prefers to look at:D

Kev

[Reefer]

You could go for fish only with a mix of ocean rock and live rock using hermits for clean up crew, which is a popular and successful way to go, buy reef safe, hardy fish and see how you go. If its a success try a coral or two (mushrooms / buttons) and get a couple of comapct T5 light units under the hood and build it up that way. Or if you have big desires to own Trigger fish, Puffers and Angels you can still go with the first method but leave out the hermits as the Triggers and Puffers will eat em! Either way I would get some live rock in your tank its the best thing in my opinion you can have in there full stop, as it aids filtration and provides better water quality.
Best of luck with your chosen path and let us know which way you go.

[vicki]

Thanks for all your advice. I think fish only is a good idea for now.:)

[Kev]

I think fish only tanks can be very stunning, just think of all those beautiful fish that you can't keep in a reef system!:)

[moorish]

high vicki, i would go for fish only and one or two soft corals.maybe a nice pair of flame angels some nice tangs.but make sure your tank is mature enough to take the load.stock it over a six to twelve month period and you should have no problems.derek

[Blue]

Reef or fish only - it's all down to water quality, if you want a reef then don't be put off. Just make sure you get all the right info before you start.
You have come to the right place for that.

[vicki]

Vicki, what kind of fish where you thinking of keeping?

James

I am thinking of Yellow Tang, Flame Angels, clown fish and maybe a couple of damsels.

[Macca]

Damsels are a good starters choice, hardy and eat very well. Followed by clowns. The flame angel is very expensive and more delicate. I would certainly add this last once you have got a good few months of taking care of the damsels. The yellow tand requires a far bigger system and it would be cruel to put one into a 180 litre tank. Hope this helps and keep the questions coming. Anyone else got any advice?

James

[Kev]

Can't really add anything more James. Just to reiterate your comment about the flame, lovely fish, quite pricey, but delicate for an absolute beginner. Best to cut your teeth on something more hardy such as the damsels.

I am not 100% in agreement about the Yellow Tang.:) Although I do respect where you are coming from. In my experience, I think Tangs in general are suited only to the larger aquarium, but feel that Yellows are one of a couple of Tangs that can be kept quite humanely in a smaller tank.

I have one in my cube. They are a slow growing fish, and mine is smallish. I do accept that the day will come when it needs a larger home, and mine will be off to a friends tank when that day arrives.

My Tang eats well, shows no odd behaviour, has never had a disease, a very relaxed fish. Bigger problems can come from Tangs being kept together in larger systems than keeping a single small Yellow in the smaller system. This can be quite stressful for these fish when things are not working out right.

Kev

[Macca]

Thanks Kev, That is what is interesting about this hobby. Sometimes you dont know if the books are always correct until you try it yourselve.

James

PS I keep bluelegs inbeside my cerith snails (not by choice, just the way they get imported) - All the books says you should not do this. I personally think if they are well fed, loads of extra shellls then no worries!

[Macca]

Spelling arghhh! - not yourselve / yourself in the above post!

Doh!!!

James

[Kev]

Now there I agree 100%. Its an interesting hobby.:D Great fun and satisfaction to be gleaned from what we do too.

Kev

[Reefer]

Hi Vicki, well your fish choice is ideal for what I suggested earlier, these are all reef safe fish. Get your system going, take your time, add your damsels first, they are hardy and cheap to replace if anything goes wrong! Again buy with caution some damsels are mega agressive and will chase and try to kill anything in sight. Green Chromis are a good starter choice, buy 3 they will dart about and provide some nice movement in your tank.
Good luck.