Downsizing, Fish stocking advice???

[Reefer]

Hi all, I'm moving shortly and as my current tank is about on its last legs (stylewiseand probably seals) a new tank is out of the question costwise, I have a cracking 100 litre cube which I'm going to set up with most of my live rock and corals and clean up crew. Should look great, but heres the dilemma, I have a beautiful yellow tang (4" & FAT!) my favourite fish. I think would be cruel if I put in the smaller tank but if I sell it back to the shop how will I know the next owner wont kill it off?? Should I take my chance in the new tank with 1 or 2 of my other fish (small orchid dottyback probably) or should I take it back and let it take its chance????
Water quality and filtration will be good with a prism skimmer, live rock & sand and an eheim canister filter with mature medium.
What do you all think 'cause quite frankly I'm changing my mind on a daily basis!! :?:

[Macca]

First of all very sorry for not replying sooner.


I think would be cruel if I put in the smaller tank but if I sell it back to the shop how will I know the next owner wont kill it off??

Yes it would be cruel; taking him back to your shop may also pose a health issue if your LFS sells him on to the first customer that enquires. Do you trust your LFS? For example my nearest LFS is a shop called the Reef Ranch in Leeds and I know for a fact Chris would not sell anyone any livestock before making sure they have adequate knowledge and setup.

If you have any doubts then I am sure if you advertise your dilemma a fellow caring reefer will only be too happy to take a well fed Tang into their setup.

James

[Reefer]

yes i trust them but its a business at the end of the day and also people can tell them what they want to get what they want (if you see my meaning!)
I will think about it, knowing me i will just buy a new tank to house him!!

[Reefer]

I was reading an old Marine world earlier and one of the readers tanks was only 80 litres. Its fish stock was 2 clowns, 1 cleaner wrasse AND 1 smallish Yellow Tang. It laso had in it a few corals and 2 anenomes.
Filtration consisted of live rock and sand, 1 canister filter and caleurpa there was NO skimmer. Amazing dont you think?

[Macca]

When I first started marines an undergravel filter and plenty of marine algae seemed to work well. Those were the days. I used to also put filter wool in between the filter plates and sand bed. Then I upgreded to reverse flow with a cannister filter. That was all I could afford then and I kept many a critter happy, even If I did not follow advice and overstocked. :shock:

James

PS We need better better emoticons on this site! Will try and sort out.

[Reefer]

The mag I was talking about isonly last years April/May i think.
But talking about undergravel filters reminds me of my dad telling me about when he started keeping marine fish, he had an undergravel filter, loads of caluerpa and he managed to successfully keep a big french angel and another large angel fish for years with no problems!!
In fact he has been so good at the low tech approach he has only just this year invested in a protien skimmer! amazing.