I wanted to Test myself... I feel the need... the need to have you read!  11/17/09
First I would like to start by saying I have about 15 years exp. In keeping a salt water tank I used to be in the hobby of a reef and decided to give it up for a Fish only aggressive tank, figured it would be cheaper and less maintenance.
<Okay>
I currently have a 220g acrylic aquarium Fish only with probably 100 lbs of rock give or take, but it is not live, and some fake corals. They are Natures Image. I have about a 2 in sub-straight,
<You're cracking me up!>
sump with bio balls, protein skimmer, and a de-nitrator. I have a Violin
<Heeee!>
Lionfish approx. 10in, Snowflake eel approx. 1ft 6 in skinny, M-grouper (the orange spotted one) I can never remember the name approx. 8in,
<Likely a Cephalopholis miniata... a Lapu Lapu... named in honour of the man who whacked Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 in Cebu... but that's another story>
Stars and stripes puffer approx. 10in, and the last and newest addition Clown Trigger approx. 4-5 in.
<Yikes... trouble eventually>
This is all that I will be putting into the tank.
<Mmm, there really isn't any more room for more>
I feel pretty good about compatibility
<Ah, no... hard to get food to the instrument Lion and Eel... and likely the puffer and trigger will work them woe in time>
and bio load, mainly just wanted to double check myself with some 2nd opinions.
Levels are all good That means 0, and Nitrates are at 40PPM
<Too high... see WWM re>
but I am working to lowering that with the de-nitrator. I will say this tank has been a journey. I started out with a 210g all –glass and 2 of the tanks failed one that flooded my house
<Dang! Commercial tanks?!>
and the 2nd I caught before and damage occurred. Decided to go acrylic for obvious reasons, once this tank cycled added the fish from the LFS for the 3rd time, and lost 3 fish. Once had a Picasso, Niger, and Lunar wrasse. I decided since they did not make the 3rd transfer back and forth from the LFS, I would get a Clown always wanted one and figured due to size difference it would be a fair trade 3 for 1.
<Too unpredictable...>
During the transition to the 3rd tank the grouper got POP-EYE and soon the rest of the fish started getting sick this is when I lost the Picasso. Due to all of the recent movement I felt it best to just medicate the whole tank. Treated with antibiotics, and copper, soon after the treatments lost the Niger, and the Lunar Wrasse, everyone seems to be fine now, except I would like to see the nitrates lower.
I figured with the medication and so many times I have had to shut down the de-nitrator, it needs a boost with some more anaerobic bacteria in it. I just bought some and should have it in a few days.
<These are best cultured, in place>
Hopefully this will correct the nitrate issue. Back to the Groper his eye has not completely healed and sticks out a little, when he had it originally it was about ready to pop out it was so swollen. I was able to save it thank god, you can tell that he still uses it. He seems to eat great and is very active in the tank. I also wanted to know if this will ever go back to the way it was or if this is the best I am going to see due to how bad it was at one point.
<See WWM re... can cure>
Anyway any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you think I should change anything, or do anything better/differently. I have been reading your sight and I figured would not hurt to put my skills to the test…
Thanks in advance for any feedback you have for me….=
<Really? To learn to/use the search tool and indices of our site... What you have mixed here won't work for long. Bob Fenner>

Re: I wanted to Test myself 11/17/09
Just found the artical about the pop-eye and that it may never shrink back to normal. Sorry a-lot to read and go through.
<No worries Jared. Do please do the long looking about re each of the species you have here; particularly their Compatibility. BobF>

Re: I wanted to Test myself 11/17/09
Well I can't say that this news is not somewhat disheartening. I was felling pretty good about my new avenue in this hobby. And know so many with similar fish with no issue for years now. I wonder about how long do you think I have before it is an issue?
<Mmm, likely weeks to months; though, as you state, there are folks who have large Tetraodont puffers and Balistoides triggers mixed in with more easygoing animals sans troubles ever>
BTW I can not find any information on the grouper and it's condition, nor have I found anything I was not already aware of on the nitrate issue.
<Ahh! This resp. is out of order...>
Maybe
a little more detailed assistance if that is ok. It would be greatly appreciated. In answer to your question this is not nor was it ever a commercial tank. As I learned when doing a reef for so long, it's better to do it right the first time then Start small, and work toward what you want to accomplish later.
<Well-stated>
Less headache or at least that is what I thought. Not to come across rude but what was so funny I feel that I missed a joke.
<Oh! The calling of substrate -straight and a Volitans lion a Violin...>
Let me in, as I am apparently running on Russian satalight delay. LOL. Thanks again for the help.
<Welcome! BobF>

Stocking a 90gal SW Fish Only Tank and a Question about Lighting – 10/28/09
Dear Sirs:
<<Hiya Julia…and no need to be so formal. We guys and gals all operate on a first-name basis here>>
I am new at this, so please be patient.
<<Ah! …much reading/learning ahead then>>
I have a 90 gal SW fish only tank. It has a built in return. I use a 175 wet/dry filter and a Vertex 80 Protein Skimmer, also a T-5 light (2 bulbs). It has about 100 lbs of live rock and 80 lbs of live sand.
<<Sounds fine>>
I have so far:
2 Pajama Cardinals
1 Sixline Wrasse
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
3 Blue/Green Chromis
The tank is 3 ½ months old. I would like to add the following:
1 Royal Gramma
1 Green Goby
<<Mmm, could be anything…Gobiodon rivulatus perhaps>>
1 Flame Angle
1 Foxface
Each addition would be 1 at a time about 3-4 weeks apart. What do you think?
<<The already established Sixline Wrasse will likely give the Royal Gramma grief (may even damage/kill the Basslet); otherwise I think you’ll be fine>>
About the length of time the lights are on. All the books say 1 hours,
<<…!? I think you meant 10/12 hours here?>>
But the fish store says 6 hours is plenty for the fish only tank.
<<Mmm, no…not in my opinion… Better to go with something close to a “natural” tropical light schedule (10-14 hours, based on your viewing schedule)>>
And the reduction in time will help control the Algae growth.
<<This is rarely the case>>
I understand that in nature light starts low, peaks, and becomes low again.
<<Yep…a result of the Earth’s rotation/the Sun arcing across the sky>>
My light system doesn’t do that.
<<Most don’t, though some semblance of this phenomenon can be obtained with special (read: expensive) dimming systems or by sequencing bulbs on/off>>
It is either on or off. The tank is in my great room, which is a little on the dark side. Can you help me with this?
<<If you have room to add more bulbs over the tank you can set these up with timers to come-on and go-off in sequence to “simulate” a morning and evening event. And while I like a lighting setup that varies intensity re to at least provide the fishes some measure of warning before all goes dark …be aware this is not an absolute necessity>>
Thanking you in advance for your time and knowledge.
<<A pleasure to share…and let me know if this is unclear/you would like further clarification>>
Julia from Orangeburg, SC
<<Ahh! Julia, do also check out the marine aquarium club just up the road in Columbia (http://www.columbiamac.org/), lots of good folks with helpful advice. Cheers, EricR… Also just up the road in Columbia, SC>>

Compatible Fish, FO stkg.  10/16/09
Hi WWM,
<Alex>
I have a 90 gallon tank with a Clarkii Clownfish, a Green Bird Wrasse, a Porcupine Puffer, and a Chainlink Moray.
<Mmm, the Gomphosus may prove to be too aggressive a competitive feeder here in time>
They're all juvenile fish and aren't aggressive at all. I was wondering if I could get another fish and if so what kind?
<Well... not really... may seem a bummer as the present livestock likely is not full-sized, but they will eventually take up all the physiological/metabolic and psychological space here>
I was thinking of a Niger Triggerfish, a Pinktail Triggerfish, a Blue-ring Angelfish, a Lamarck's Angelfish, a Auriga Butterflyfish, or a Kole-eyed Tang.
<Maybe the Tang... none of these angels, and I wouldn't risk even an easygoing Balistid with the Eel or Puffer>
I have a very large protein skimmer, a wet-dry filter, and around 100 pounds of live rock to filter the tank. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks, Alex
<Keep an eye on your water quality, particularly nitrates here... Consider modifying the wet-dry (make it into a sump, refugium)... Perhaps another tank, or part time work in a Public Aquarium, LFS... Bob Fenner>

Aquarium Stocking, Jumping Eels, Marine 10/13/09
Hi, I just have a few questions on stocking my aquarium. I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank and my husband and I decided to set up a "predator tank".
<Tough to do in this sized tank.>
We have put a snowflake eel, porcupine puffer, and niger trigger in it. We decided to stop there. Is this too many or is it ok?
<All of these fish will outgrow this tank, most porcupine puffers get football sized, the trigger up to 18" when properly housed, and since most 55 gallon aquariums are only 12" wide you will have problems. You are at
the very minimum recommended for the eel, not leaving much margin for error. Please see the linked articles and related FAQs for more for more http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snowflakemoray.htm ,
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/triggers/odonus/index.htm , http://www.wetwebmedia.com/puffcareinfo.htm .>
The trigger is about three inches long, the puffer about 6 and the eel about 12". We feed them squid, octopus, shrimp, surimi, formula one frozen and formula two pellets (also sea weed in a clip for the trigger). I put a bunch of ghost shrimp in there, as well as hermit crabs and turbo snails thinking they would get eaten.
<Most likely to happen sooner or later.>
Is there anything else I should feed them?
<Sounds ok.>
Everyone eats twice a day except for the eel who eats every other day. The trigger and the eel hang out in the same hole all the time, is this normal?
<Is ok, but may become problematic as they grow and start competing for space.>
Oh and one more question, my eel escaped the other day and was behind the aquarium on my wood floor. Is he going to be ok?
<Hopefully.>
He hasn't eaten since (it has been three days) and that seems and awful long way for something that small to fall. I haven't noticed any contusions or such.
<They are surprisingly tough.>
He was only a little bit stiff but still wiggling when I put him back into the aquarium. Thanks for your time and you guys are great!!!
Krysta in Charm City
<Welcome>
<Chris>

Re: Aquarium Stocking, Jumping Eels, Marine 10/14/09
We are looking at a 225 gallon for these fish and we are turning the 55 into a reef tank, I was hoping that the 55 would be good until February.
<Most likely be ok till then.>
<Chris>

Cycling and Stocking: SW New 55 gallon tank. 10/12/2009
Good morning Crew!!!
<Hi Matt.>
I was reading the Bio-Spira FAQ's and came across a suggestion from Anthony to buy Paletta's "New Marine Aquarium". I own this book and was reading the other night because I am starting a new 55gal FOWLR tank. (I will get to the question on the book in a moment).
<Welcome to the hobby.>
I am letting the new tank cycle before I add anything to it. I used some base rock and also placed about 20 lbs of live rock in with it and live aragonite sand. I also have an AquaC Remora with Maxi-Jet 1200 pump running on the tank. I used Bio-Spira to help with the cycling of the new tank because I figured there would be die-off from the base rock. It took a couple of days for the reading I currently have using my own RO/DI water system.....
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = 5-10 ppm
SG = 1.025
Temp = 78
<Everything looks good so far.>
I have spend all the money I will have for a couple of month due to bills that have come up unexpectedly and will not be able to place any livestock in the tank until November or December sometime.
<Perfectly fine, beneficial actually.>
I read that if I do not add fish directly after the Bio-Spira that all of my beneficial bacteria will die if there is no ammonia for it to feed off of. Am I in jeopardy of losing this tank before it even starts because of my time delay?
<Some of the bacteria will die off, You can add a few pieces of pellet fish food once a week to keep the cycle going.>
Now to my question about the book that I was reading. It has some stocking recommendations for a 55 to 75 gal tank as follows....
1-2 Blue Hippo Tangs
5 -7 Chromis
1 Coral beauty angel
2-3 Banggai Cardinals
1 Foxface OR Butterfly
<Hmm... a bit excessive in my opinion, but I tend to be conservative. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stocking1.htm >
It also goes on to state that it must be a 55gal long (4ft) tank to accommodate the growing Tangs and Foxface of Butterfly.
<I agree completely. 4 feet as a minimum for a tang, butterfly, or a Foxface.>
This seems EXTREMELY excessive to me and was wondering what you thought about the stocking guidelines that were outlined in the book. It seems like a very beautiful tank if it would work but I am very skeptical. I realize that the lower ends of these stocking suggestions would be for the 55gal as opposed to the 75gal.
<My opinion, for a 55 gallon, I would stock it this way:
1 Blue Hippo Tang, OR Foxface OR Butterfly
3 - 5 Chromis
1 Coral beauty angel
2-3 Banggai Cardinals
1 small goby or other bottom dwelling fish. >
Thanks for putting up with the long email and I appreciate your thoughts on both of my "issues".
<My pleasure.>
Thanks
Matt
<MikeV>

Predatory tank, stkg., more research   9/21/09
Hey Crew,
<Coop!>
I'm putting together a predatory tank and would like your input on the livestock. First I have a 120g acrylic tank, 40g sump, nautilus skimmer, mag 9.5 return. I am looking at adding 1 Lionfish, 1 Niger Trigger, 1
Leopard Grouper
<Mmm, let's see, you've got a chicken, a fox and a bag of rice... you can only row across a lake with two... This is likely a poor choice/mix... the Trigger may bite the Lion... It and the Bass are too likely to starve the Lion...>
and an eel of some sort (haven't decided yet which one). In your opinions do you feel the tank will support this number of predators? I have caves, ledges and hiding places built out of builder rock. I currently do not have any live rock but was considering adding some as media for filtration in the sump. Thanks Cooper.
<Keep reading. Bob Fenner> 
Re: Predatory tank
Thanks for your input. Coop
<Certainly welcome. BobF>

Compatible Fish/Stocking Level... FO?  9/12/09
Hi WWM,
<Hello Alex>
I'm trying to find a fish that will work with my 90 gallon tank. Inside of it is a 7" Bird Wrasse, a 6" Porcupine Puffer, a 4" Clark's Clownfish, and a 1' Chainlink Moray. I've recently had problems with my tank because my 8" Blue-chin Triggerfish is refusing to eat and I've tried just about everything for him but I'm afraid he might be beyond help.
<Yikes, you are way over the limit for stocking levels in your 90. The Bird Wrasse, puffer, and triggerfish
all require more room than this tank can provide. Your triggerfish is likely suffering from environmental conditions/stress due to overstocking. Much waste being produced here.>
For fish I was thinking about a Niger trigger, a Black trigger, a Pink-tailed Trigger, a Bicolor Angelfish, or a Kole Yellow-Eyed Tang. Would any of these work or should I not put anymore fish in my tank?
<You are done my friend, and, should either get a larger tank or find homes for the wrasse, puffer and triggerfish.>
Any other fish suggestions would be helpful too. Thanks for the help,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Alex.

SW: New 90 gallon FO Setup and stocking. 8/30/2009
Hello my finned friends.
<Hi Phil>
I've always received great answers in the past, and figured I would try again. Planning to switch my 90 gallon over to saltwater.
<Welcome to the madness.>
Filtration is Eheim 2026 and Fluval FX5. I intend to keep just 1 Picasso trigger.
<Going to be a tight fit in the future.>
I love carnivores and don't believe anything could go with it. Maybe I am wrong...Suggestions?
<A Picasso is one of the more, and I use this term very loosely, peaceful triggers, but in a 90 it is going to be a tight fit by itself.>
Is it possible to keep the Tahitian Moon Sand?
<Not recommended. It adds nothing to the chemistry of the water. If you like the dark look, there are several black sands out there that will work.>
I could always add shells to canister if buffering is necessary.
<Will not the be most effective.>
Only decoration will be large pieces of Texas Holey Rock.
<Fine, do add a piece or two of live rock and the Texas rock will liven up as well.>
Is a protein filter absolutely necessary.
<Yes.>
I know this was long, but any help is greatly appreciated,
<Have a read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/marsetupindex1.htm under the
general tab - several good articles written, particularly for those making the jump from fresh to salt.>
Thanks, Phil
<MikeV>

Birdnose Wrasse and schooling fish compatibility... need data  – 06/12/09
Dear Sir or Madam
<Paper back writer....>
Hope you are well and love reading your website!
<Ok and thanks>
I hope that you will be able to assist me with my query?
<Will try>
We currently have in our tank 1 x Flame Angel, 1 x Foxface, 1 x Birdnose Wrasse, 1 x Scopas Tang and are looking for some fish that will school within the tank - just a nice addition to round off what we currently have.
<Mmm... need to know a bit more... the size, shape of the tank, decor, live rock...>
Our LFS chap (who is very good IMO) has advised that Firefish would be harassed by the wrasse so probably not a good idea.
<I do agree... Gomphosus spp. are rambunctious>
We were trying to think of other species apart from chromis/damsels that would be a good schooling addition but have not thought of any that would suit. Would you be able to advise of any suggestions?
<Mmm, the info... listed above>
We look forward to receiving your advice.
Kind regards and many thanks
Janet
<Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Re: Trigger Compatibility, now FO stocking   06/02/09
Thanks for your prompt reply. I have decided not to go with any triggers for obvious reasons. I am now considering a dwarf zebra lion (not the fuzzy),
<Nice fish, but quiet, and can be tricky to feed in tanks with overly aggressive feeders; I find with Scorpionfish generally it pays to get them trained to take food from you (or rather, from forceps) in the quarantine tank, and then add possible competitors afterwards.>
Foxface,
<Also nice, if kept well (properly) fed.>
yellow tang,
<Ditto.>
Longnose Hawkfish,
<Superb fish, but might be tricky to feed in a large tank with boisterous tankmates, so be careful; should be fine with Dendrochirus though.>
coral beauty angel
<Not a fish I recommend; do see Bob's excellent summary of these fish, here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/c_bispinosa.htm
Would work well with Dwarf Lions, Hawkfish since their food requirements are all rather different; competition with the Rabbitfish, Tang would cause much more serious problems. I've known too many people buy Dwarf Angels and then lose them within 6 months for "no apparent reason". Likely starvation,
improper diet or some combination of the two. Anyway, there are some nice Butterflyfish I'd think about if you want something this sort of shape and size. Heniochus for example, or one of the Raccoon Butterflyfish species.>
and perhaps a school of humbugs.
<Do review Dascyllus carefully; they're apt to become bullies, and tankmates need to be on the phlegmatic side. In a big tank you might be fine, and a half-dozen would amuse themselves and ignore their tankmates,
but still, see here for a discussion:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dascyllu.htm
>
I will be buying a smaller sized lion and bigger sized fish. Your thoughts?
<I'm not a major league tropical marine keeper, so my comments here are brief, and I'd encourage you to review the various WWM pages devoted to these various types of fish. Bob, Scott, Sara or whoever will be able to answer more detailed questions, I'm sure. I did use to keep Triggers during my college days, hence answering your original query.>
Thanks again,
John
<Cheers, Neale.>

SW Stocking Question: Incompatible Species\Reading 5/8/2009
<Hi Pete,>
I've got a 3'x3'x2' tank
<132 US gallons, 499 liters>
I'd like to do a fish-only saltwater tank. I was wondering why the Green Hawaiian Lionfish is listed as "very
venomous to the touch". Is it significantly more dangerous than other dwarf lionfish?
<Not that I'm aware of. That said, I would classify all Lionfish as very dangerous to touch.>
A LFS has a few for $25 and I'm very interested...
<Hmm... are they sure it is a Pterois sphex?>
I'm thinking of readying the tank with a free 7" panther grouper, <A very poor choice for this tank, and there are many better ways to start a cycle The article is written for freshwater, but everything is still
relevant to SW: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebindex/fwestcycling.htm
>
and after a couple of months doing 3-4 dwarf lionfish, a dogface puffer, and a snowflake moray.
<Puffers and Lionfish are incompatible in a tank. The puffer will usually beat up on the lions..
Should I do lionfish only?
<One or two lions, and perhaps the snowflake moray.>
I know brushing the lionfish won't hurt the puffer if he swims by unless they jab him with the spines,
<Which is VERY likely.>
but is it too much of a risk with that many lionfish?
<and the puffer WILL beat up on the lions. Do read about Lionfish compatibility here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lioncompfaqs.htm >
Another idea is doing two blue-dotted stingrays (the tiny ones) or two Atlantic stingrays (d. sabina), a gaggle of smaller moray species that top out at 3" (maybe 3-4),
<I think you mean 3'>
and the dogface or maybe a burrfish. Is this a good stocklist for this tank?
<Stingrays are very poor choices for an aquarium less than several hundreds of gallons. Blue spotted Stingrays have a terrible survival record in captivity Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/rays.htm
I would only put one moray in a tank of this size.>
Thanks,
<You're welcome>
Pete
<Mike>

Compatibility question, Marine, FO stkg.  4/6/09 Hello Crew, <Hi> Let me start by first saying your website is helpful beyond measure and thank you for providing such a great service. <Thanks> I have a question regarding my 55 gallon saltwater setup. It has been set up for about 10 months now and I have about 35lbs of live rock (see pic) and a Fluval 405 filtering it. <No pic.> Currently, I have a Blueline Grouper, Black Volitans Lionfish, and Bluejaw Triggerfish, all 4-5 inches in length. I know that all of these fish will eventually outgrow this tank and I am planning on upgrading to a much larger tank in the future. <You are going to start running into problems very soon, this is not going to work for much longer.> My question is this: I was thinking about adding a 3-4 inch Vlamingi Tang to the mix but I am concerned about how the triggerfish will react to it. <I would not be adding any more fish to this mix.> I know they are very different species and the bluejaw is a relatively peaceful trigger, but the bluejaw and the vlamingi are very similar in body shape and I was curious if you guys thought the trigger would see it as threat. <I am guessing before long you are going to have one fish in that tank, probably the trigger, the rest having been killed off or stressed to death.> If it probably wouldn't be a good mix, what other species of tangs would you recommend instead? <Nothing until you have the larger tank set up, stock for what you have now, who knows what the future will bring.> Thanks, Danny <Welcome> <Chris> Re: Compatibility question Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to upgrade my tank size asap. Based on the fish that I currently have, what do you guys think would be an adequate size tank? And if I wanted to add another fish or two to the mix in the future, how large of an aquarium should I have? Thanks again, Danny <Mmm, at least 125 gallon, better a 150 or 180... Like money in the bank, HD space, time on your hands... the more the better. Bob Fenner>