Butterfly Tank

[Kev]

Oh no, the last time I started thinking like this I ended up with a new system.

I have always adored marine buttefly fish. I once kept a threadfin butterfly fish, in a fish only tank of course. It was a quite primitive system some 15 years ago, and utilised a good old undergravel in reverse flow.

I would love a system full of healthy buttefly fish. Nothing else. The colours would be mesmerising.

Anyone have any thought as to what type of system would benefit a thriving community of such fish. Obviously compatability would be an issue. Anyone have any experience of keeping a mixed community of butterfly fish, or any thoughts on species compatability.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Kev

[thereefshop]

Hi there we have a 240 gallon fish only system in the shop, with 14 butterflys and a couple of large wrasse to add some more movement. Looks goods and all get on very well.
I feed mysis shrimp with a dash of garlic, brine shrimp from time to time and brown and green seaweed
All looking and doing very well.:D

[Tangman]

Hi Kev. I might have my 7x2x2 for sale if i decide to upgrade to a 4x4x3, that would make a lovely Butterfly tank plenty of room for them to forage about. I would imagine that a tank full of them look stunning i will have to call and see yours Alan when i go to Cornwall again. :) Eric

[Reefer]

That would be stunning, they are fantastic fish, my favourites the Addis or masked butterfly, a pair of those with other fish in a large system would be great.

[Kev]

Hi

Alan, any chance of posting a picture. I would love to see that tank, just a bit too far away. Do you use live rock for this system as the main biological filter?

Eric, don't tempt me with a 7 footer. My marine hobby regulator would take action to terminate my hobby if I even suggested that in my house.

Tha Addis, gorgeous fish.

Kev

[thereefshop]

Its Ian not Alan ha ha. the main reson i dont post pics is im rubbish on the computer :mad: i'll try my best im off monday so will post a.s.a.p. ill do some of the shop to.:)

we have a 450 gallon reef tank with live rock, so we did the 250 fish system with ocean rock to to give people a choice we use a 5x18x18 sump with media instead of live rock. works very well :D

[Kev]

Sorry Ian.

Look forward to the picture. Anyone any thoughts on using live rock as the main type of bilogical system on such a setup. Any drawbacks?

Look forward to the pictures Ian:D

Kev

[thereefshop]

I would use live rock one because of the biological,two you get to see the natural behaviour of the butterflys picking at the rocks.:D

[Pinkfish]

a butterfly tank would look G R E A T i wish I had the experience and space for a butterfly tank. Good luck

Mike

[Kev]

These are just early thoughts at the moment. I usualyy ponder over these things for months, but it eventually happens.

Kev

[Tangman]

Sorry Ian it was me that called you Alan. :) Eric PS Come on Kev be brave and buy my 7 footer then i can order my 19mm glass for the new tank.

[Kev]

NOOOOOOOOOOO

Is that clear?:)

Kev

[Tangman]

Oh go on, go on, go on, you know you want to. Eric :)

[Kev]

I will no longer enter discussion.

Eric, I am complaining to you as a mod, this thread does not show any remorse for my well being.

Following my complaint, please close this thread.:D

Kev

[Gillybaby]

lol :D

I think the whole idea of fish only butterfly tank sounds absolutely fantastic, I've never thought about it before. I can't usually see anything beyond tangs ;)

[Tangman]

If Kev bought my 7x2x2 which i think by the way he's talking he wont sob? sob?:), i would mix my Tangs with some butterfly's in a 4x4x3 whic would be my ideal system then. Addis are my fave butterfly's along with the Racoon Fasticatus or Red sea racoon. Eric

[Kev]

I have no idea, but can same species be mixed in together. Can you just imagine 6 or so Addis in the same tank, shoaling, picking at the live rock. Superb.

Kev

ps Eric, NO.

[Tangman]

Is that a NO Kev are you sure now :) Eric

[Kev]

Yes, thats a no.

Japanese Grand Prix......YEEHAA

Come on Renault:D