Round 2

[54seaweed]

Picking up a 40 gal breeder tank on weds already have it on hold (good to know people) lol
I want to start another reef tank but only this time
with a predator them looking for ideas
so I can start a plan for the scape
I would like to make it as different but realistic as I can

I will also use this tread as the build progresses

I know this time around I want to do a lot more SPS

Look forward to hear all your ideas

looking forward to another smooth cycling process
so wish me luck

 

[54seaweed]

Score.....
found 50# live figi rock
couldn't resist the price "FREE"
have to go pick it up tomorrow afternoon
the guy told me he might have a skimmer too

 

[Psychocircus91]

Well since you have had saltwater before, you probably know predators are big waste producers and waste ultimately means nitrates. You probably also know that nitrates are not good for most coral, especially SPS.

That being said, you could still get your predator. I would just stock very lightly. An angler would look very cool with coral, as would a dwarf fuzzy lionfish.
There aren't a ton of predators that can fit in a 40.

 

[54seaweed]

I didn't even think of that ,
I just want to change it up some and thought a predator would be neat , but anglers never even crossed my thought
I still have time to decide on stock and direction of this build
time to rethink this a little

and I'm still open to new ideas

 

[Psychocircus91]

Like I said, definitely doable. But if you'd prefer to have a few more fish, not the best way to go.

 

[begginersluck]

I would do a full blown SPS reef with some nice small fish that have nice small poop! lol

 

[begginersluck]

Minstrel Clowns and a Malu Nem!

 

[Psychocircus91]

again, people do it, but anemones can cause problems with coral. they can move around as they wish and sting.
You need an established tank for one, but you might be better off adding one before coral so it can choose a spot. however, that would take 6+ months of patience.

Perhaps someone with more experience with sps and anemones will chime in though. I just research a lot!

 

[54seaweed]

got live rock today

 

[obscurereef]

If you're wanting to do a predator tank, go with an angler and lion. Just make sure that they are about the same size. If the angler was larger, I could try to eat the lion. You could corals and macro with them. Dragon's breath macro would look really awesome!

 

[54seaweed]

got to dry out all the rock its infested with mango never seen it so bad

 

[Sniperhank]

I'm assuming you mean majano? A mango infestation would be delicious.

 

[54seaweed]

the rock was free but starting to wonder if it's worth the head ach

or if I should just get clean rock

wife was talking about damsels last night than I thought Garibaldi now that would be different

 

[Sniperhank]

Just boil the rock. It should cure the problem.

 

[54seaweed]

still many thoughts and not sure what direction I will take

guess only time will tell

sorry I do my best thinking talking out loud !

 

[TheTodd]

wife was talking about damsels last night than I thought Garibaldi now that would be different

Garibaldi get big and extremely aggressive as they mature. Damsels in general are nasty. Garibaldi are extremely nasty. You would need a large tank if you planned to keep one. Liveaquaria suggests 125g...they tend to go large at times, but IMO, 125 seems small.

 

[54seaweed]

picked up my tank today
still need to get power heads
skimmer
hob
heater
going to build stand tomorrow
I'll add picts of that as I build it

As for stock still undecided

 

[54seaweed]

Got the stand built today
It still needs to be wrapped and doors added
I have room to house a future sump underneath
I will need to plumb both tanks to the one sump but thats down the line
also I put plastic egg crate on floor of tank to keep rocks from breaking glass

Still need to pick up power heads , skimmer , heater , and bunch of other odds and ends

 

[54seaweed]

got up early this morn added a egg crate top ,
I still have to cut out the opening in the lid
still waiting on the piece of glass and hing to attach to the egg crate top .

now I'm going to start wrapping the stand
I'll add picts of that when I get it done

 

[54seaweed]

changed plans on stand going to paint it black rather than wrapping it