Marine sys. Pb, stkg... ScottV pls have a look, respond   11/30/07
Hello all,
<Larry>
This is the first time I have written but I have poured over the sites information for the past few months and all I can say is wow! The service that you all provide is greatly needed and appreciated!
I will get right down to it.
I have a 90 gallon (4ft long) aquarium. Undrilled.
My plan is to drill 2 2" holes. One hole close to the back left corner.
<Mmm, but not too close to the corner...>
The other, two thirds of the length from the previous 2" hole. I will drill a 1.5" hole one third the length of the tank from the first drain hole on the left for a return. I will have a sump made that will approximately measure 36"Lx12"Wx12"h. In the first chamber I will have a Tunze 9010 protein skimmer. In the second chamber I will have a refugium filled with live rock and Caulerpa. In the third and final chamber I will have 2 heaters. Externally plumbed will be two return pumps. The one pump will be a sequence reef flow snapper pump ( 1850 g/hr at 4' of head) that will feed the drilled return hole measuring 1.5" in diameter. The second pump will be a sequence reef flow dart pump (rated for 2820 g/hr at 4' of head) to feed a return line that will be plumbed over the back right edge of the tank and connect to a wavy sea wave maker at the right corner of the tank. Would this be enough water circulation for the tank?
<Mmm, should be, yes>
I will also have 90 to 110lbs of live rock.
My tank inhabitant will be an undulated triggerfish and maybe a school of aggressive damsels. I am aware that an undulate trigger needs a species only tank. I was hoping that I could locate a Red Sea male specimen
<Are gorgeous, more peaceful>
at a size of about 2-3" and have him grow up with a school of damsels. I am also aware the undulates get more aggressive and territorial with age so the damsels may not work. Is their any possible tankmate that may work with the undulate at all?
<Perhaps some other Red Sea choices...>
Would you know where I could find a male Red Sea undulate trigger in Western Canada?
<Mmm, have your LFS look for you... are rare in the West period (compared with Europe), but might be able to be ordered, your request put into a system...>
I was just wondering if you could comment on my setup and offer your expertise on areas I may need to improve?
Thank you so much for your time and knowledge!
Larry
<Mmm, well, I do wish you had a working drawing/graphic of some sort... I don't exactly follow the third, two-third placement of your through-puts rationale... We have a Crewmember/friend here, ScottV who has interest in a company that does this sort of work. I'm going to ask him to chime in here. Otherwise, I'd like to have you (re) read: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm
The fourth/pink tray... re Marine Plumbing... Bob Fenner>

Looking for Balistapus undulatus of size  - 01/23/2006
Hi Crew,
     I hope things are going well. I am looking for a 7-9 inch male undulated triggerfish and having no luck finding one. Liveaquaria.com had referred me to you to see about any ideas. I have a 72 gallon tank I was going to keep him in by his self. Any ideas?   
  Thanks,
  Rodney
<Mmm, rarely is this species shipped so large... very expensive... as it would be one, maybe "two to the box"... Your best bet is to check with your LFS' and make known what you're looking for, perhaps place an ad on the Net, various marine BB's in the hope of finding one that someone has grown to about this size and is looking to trade it out. Bob Fenner>

Trigger and Sweetlips question
I went to my local fish store and they have a Balistapus undulatus.  The first time I saw this beautiful trigger is on your site when it was I think the July calendar. The one at my fish store is more yellow ( I think that you recommend those are less aggressive) ,
<a beautiful species but all are severely aggressive. One of the most aggressive in the trade... it cannot be understated>
They just received that fish yesterday.  Is it safe to take it home, or wait a couple of days?( I don't want my local fish store to sell it since it's the first time I see this fish in store) ,
<no rush... it is a very common fish and quite inexpensive. Wholesales at 5-15 and should retail under $40 in most cities.. under $30 in many cities. If you like this specimen, ask the store if you can put a deposit on it and pick it up a week later. Either way.. be sure to use a quarantine tank. Bring home and QT for 4 full weeks (all livestock)>
Also they have a Plectorhinchus lineatus, I know that Sweetlips are not recommended but wanted to know if this one have a chance of surviving ?
<not a prayer... really. I would fault any vendor that does not warn patrons of the extreme challenges of this species. Else a waste of life when sold as an impulse purchase to customers. This is a very peaceful species that needs daily live food to survive... breeding ghost shrimp and guppies that are gut-loaded before being fed to Sweetlips is quite necessary or some like substitute. Without which, they may feed on dry and frozen foods and still die in a year or two. They also get enormous (18-36"). They need a huge tank. Under no circumstance could they be kept with the undulate trigger. Best regards, Anthony>
Thank you again