Posted by ChuckDM on January 12, 2003 at 08:34:42:
In Reply to: Re: freshwater veteran thinking of saltwater posted by Barbara on January 11, 2003 at 12:37:32:
::::Hi. I've had freshwater aquariums on and off for about 10 years now. I have a 125 tank that I'd like to turn into a saltwater tank. It's 6' long, not exactly sure of these but about 2 feet wide and about 3 feet high. I've gotten a few books about setting up saltwater aquariums and I've spoken with people at the LFS but I was hoping maybe you guys could help me with a couple specific things. I haven't found any books that specifically address what fishes and inverts can go with lionfish. I think I'd like to get a volitians(I'm almost positive I spelled that wrong), and I've always liked clownfish and anenomies. I realize that clownfish appear to be snack size for the lion...would the anenomie provide enough protection, or is putting them together a lost cause? I've also noticed a lot of posts about feeding problems with lionfish...why is it necessary to wean them from live food? I've always preferred to feed my freshwater fishes with live food. I had no idea about the fatty liver thing. If you feed them ghost shrimp though, would they be ok, long term? Or is the weaning a total necessity? Last thing...I don't wanna ask too many n00b questions about equipment so can anyone suggest some good reference material that might tell me good brands to get for skimmers and stuff, and what sizes would be right for my 125? I'd hate to go to the LFS and have no clue as they load me down with stuff that I really am not sure if I need it or not...thanks for the help. :)
::::Chuck
:::First off Welcome Chuck!
:::You have a lot of thinking and planning on your hands, but you are on the right track. I'll try to answer a few of your Lionfish questions first. Starting with feeding them, Ghost Shrimp is the best Live food option there is for your Lion. If you choose to have a Volitan Lion, they grow fast and big. They won't bother your reef inverts, (unless they are shrimps) They also produce a lot of waste. Compatablity with other fish I've come to find has been great. The only problem that I've ever had with a lion toward my other fishes has come during feeding time, and it was due to my Triggers wanting to eat some of the Lion's silversides. A Dwarf Lion is also a good choice. Same personality as a Volitan, but they don't grow as big so they would make the best choice if you wanted to add one to a reef setup. Eventually, if you do decide to get a Volitan, you should wean it off of live food. It will begin to grow large and fast and you dont want it to get Fatty Liver diease. Its normally not a problem with Freshwater fish that eat fresh water fish. Silversides are Marine minnows, and they are very nutritious for Marine Fishes. You'll not only save money, but choosing the frozen food option, but its Healthier also. Its also a larger selection of food to choose from if you feed them frozen foods (Krill,Squid,Clams)
:::As for Equipment, if you asked 100 people you would get 100 different answers. I'll be stepping up to a 120 from my 90 gal tank in the coming weeks and will continue using a basic setup for fish only. Wet/Dry filter with a sump and protein skimmer. I use the SeaLife Systems Brand because I got them for a great price, and they work!! With any product, there will be others that are better than what you have. I'm sure you know that most expensive is not always or even the best, so don't fall for the sale pitches. If you are recommended a particular brand, check that brand out online, and compare the product to others. I not much of a Reefer, so I cant offer much advice on that aspect of the Hobby. I look forward to helping you, as I'm sure others are also, so if you have a question, just ask....Good Luck and welcome again.
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::HaroldL,
::Hi. Just wanted to thank you for the help. I'm looking forward to setting up my tank for salt water...that will happen at the end of the month. I'll keep researching till then...thanks again. :)
::Chuck
::
:As Harold has said, shrimp will be a tasty snack. I have heard of some lionfish learning how to take hermits out of their shells, but I've never seen it myself. Starfish, snails, cucumbers, featherdusters, corals, etc....are all safe with lionfish.
:I would NOT however, put a clownfish in with a lion unless it is a maroon, and even then, you must make sure that the clown is bigger than the lionfishes mouth. Anemones are a whole other story and should not be attempted by the beginner. They are difficult to keep long term (compared to how long they live in the wild) and will not survive the fluctuations of a new tank. BTW in saltwater a "new" tank is considered one that is under 6 months old.
:It really is better for your fish to train him on frozen foods. Not only will you be able to provide variety in his food, but it will make him less aggressive towards the other fish in the tank.
:I am guessing that you want this tank to be a fish only tank? Not a full blown reef?
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Hi. Well, actually, I did want to try the reef. I really like the idea of all the symbiotic relationships that occur in a reef. That's part of why I've wanted clownfish...I'd like to watch how they interact with the anenomies and stuff. Yea, I kinda figured putting them in with a lion probably wouldn't work. I have noticed in alot of the posts that people often keep lionfishes with triggers, and then they talk about aggression during feeding time...while I was at the LFS yesterday I saw a tank with a young volitan and some picasso triggers. I really liked the picassos...I was just wondering if that would lead to violence later, during feeding time. On a side note, I was reading some postings on other forums...I read one from Buddy, about a power outage that lasted 5 days during the winter, and how a HUGE amount of his stock was lost...that's really terrible. I just wanted to say that I feel for ya Buddy...I would have been livid. Anyway, thanks for the advice all. I'll be starting my saltwater tank in about 2 weeks.
