Predator Tank with Anemones

Sawdonkey

Sawdonkey

Premium member
I found this video on youtube and would love to develop my tank into something similar. I know this guy is a little extreme, both in the number of fish and anemones, but I'd like to try something similar some day. I'd obviously tone it down from what he is doing, but i really like the idea. Has anyone here ever attempted to pull something like this off?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fws5ZN_S4Rw

I've got a 220 gal (plus 75 gal sump) predator tank now with a Picasso trigger, niger trigger, harlequin tusk, naso tang, powder blue, lemon peel angel, and emperor angel. I've only got power compact lighting so that would need to be changed out. I also just use treated tap water and not RO, so I'd have to change that. Probably need to upgrade my skimmer a bit. I'd probably need to get a bit more live rock. Would it be impossible to add anemones and a few clowns at this point?

Would I be crazy to attempt something like this? Any thoughts would be appreciated. I've been doing predator tanks pretty successfully for over ten years and I'm not really one to rock the boat.......but we all get bored.
 
madjoe

madjoe

Premium member
I wouldnt tone ot down at all if anything id amp it up and push the limits. Looks awsome though
 
W

Wojtek

Premium Sponsor
Cowfish with a clown and picasso trigger = BAD IDEA!

The fish you have should be just fine minus picasso trigger. You could do many more fish using biopellets as long as the aggression is not a problem. I am currently working on a similar fish tank with leather corals and bubble tip anemones. Decided to skip the aggressive triggers after all the research I did. I don't think his corals and/or anemones will be safe for long.

Before you add anemones you should test your water.
 
Sawdonkey

Sawdonkey

Premium member
I'm glad to see your positive reactions. I think I'm going to go for it.......very slowly. I need to do a lot of research before I pull the trigger. Couple of questions if you don't mind:

-What is the minimum lighting I could get away with for this type of tank? What would you suggest? Right now I just run four 65W 50/50 PC bulbs on my FOWLR. Should I switch to LED, MH, something else?

-Because I've only done FOWLR in the past, my coral/invert knowledge is limited. I know my inspiration tank in the video contains different anemones, torches, and leathers. Is there anything else in there that you think I should investigate. I'll start doing a lot of research on all of these. Are there any other corals that you think could hold their own in a predator tank such as the one I'm planning?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'll take some photos and continue on this thread to track my progress.
 
R

Renegade Reefer

New member
I was thinking of doing something like that. Fowlr and anenomes, I have a carpet that's doing very well. the magnificent didn't so well that I had, I'm not sure why.
 
mlreef

mlreef

Active member
I'd go T5 for lighting or LED. you'll get great coloration and nice par in the tank. Also low heat which is nice.
 
Sawdonkey

Sawdonkey

Premium member
I think I'll go T5 since it seems to be more affordable. Would something like this do the trick? Keep in mind I'll just be doing anemones, leathers, torch, etc. My tank is 72", but it is 30" deep. My woodworkers should be done with my canopy soon. Will an open back on the canopy dissipate enough heat, or will I need a fan? I'd like to just get a retrofit if possible.
 
DD

DD

"Rambo"
That's a pretty awesome tank. I like the idea! My only suggestion would be to skip the clown trigger. Not sure if you were even going to add one but they eventually turn into serial killers! Will more than likely kill every fish in the tank. Happened to me waaaaaay back in the day. Mine even killed an undulated trigger which are supposed to be even more aggressive than the clowns. Every tank I've seen with a clown trigger over 6 inches have, for the most part, been the only fish in the tank. I actually had a conversation with another member on here earlier today at Sho Tank about the same thing happening with his. There are the odd individuals who may not. Just heard or read about too many to take a chance.

Thanks for sharing this. I look forward to seeing yours.
 
Sawdonkey

Sawdonkey

Premium member
ddiomede said:
That's a pretty awesome tank. I like the idea! My only suggestion would be to skip the clown trigger. Not sure if you were even going to add one but they eventually turn into serial killers! Will more than likely kill every fish in the tank. Happened to me waaaaaay back in the day. Mine even killed an undulated trigger which are supposed to be even more aggressive than the clowns. Every tank I've seen with a clown trigger over 6 inches have, for the most part, been the only fish in the tank. I actually had a conversation with another member on here earlier today at Sho Tank about the same thing happening with his. There are the odd individuals who may not. Just heard or read about too many to take a chance.

Thanks for sharing this. I look forward to seeing yours.
Click to expand...
Yeah, thanks for the tip on the clown. I'm well aware of their tendency to flip out an become killers. I've already got 7 aggressive fish (listed on my first post) and I probably won't get too many more. I might get a wrasse or two, some clowns to go with an anemone, and some schooling fish such as anthias or chromis.
 
tkh

tkh

New member
Heh - triggers are well known to be massively aggressive, but they're such amazing creatures, its hard to resist wanting to build a tank around them. Good luck with the build - post some pics when you get closer to it all!
 
Sawdonkey

Sawdonkey

Premium member
I'll just use this as my build thread. Things are moving along in my conversion to predator fish with coral and anemones (equipment-wise). In a few weeks, I'll start with the anemones and coral.

I upgraded my lighting to 54W X 8 T5 (thanks Mike, it was nice meeting you).

Today I got my new skimmer. I went with a SKIMZ SM201. I really debated between this and the SRO 3000. Both got really good reviews but I read that the SKIMZ was almost silent compared to the SRO. This is important since my TV/couch is only about 10-12 ft from my tank.

I also got two reactors, one for Phosban and one for carbon. Water quality should clean up quite a bit in the near future. Then it's time to start adding livestock.

I just got an email with pics of my custom stand/canopy that is being built. It looks amazing and is almost done. All walnut to match my existing furniture and really modern looking.

I'll post some pics tonight to document the build.
 
reeferlover

reeferlover

New member
Great job. Tank looks great and ur new equipment will be perfect for what ur doing. I actually added a 40b to my system recently and decided I'm doing a fowlr and anemones. Well probably just a couple. Good luck. Keep the pics coming
 
Prov3:5-6

Prov3:5-6

Active member
Looking great...lemme know how your nems do......Make sure none walk into the powerheads...it could really give you a headache...i know!!!
 
Sawdonkey

Sawdonkey

Premium member
Prov3:5-6 said:
Looking great...lemme know how your nems do......Make sure none walk into the powerheads...it could really give you a headache...i know!!!
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm really happy with the way the woodwork turned out. They used magnets on the panels in front of the stand so everything pops right off. They also used some really nice gas pistons on the front of the canopy so it opens and closes really softly.

I'm hoping to avoid powerheads for the most part. I've got a way-oversized return pump (reeflo dart) that leads to eight returns and they really put out some water. I plan to take three or four of them to lower areas of the tank using loc-line. Then I can direct the flow wherever I want. The rest will agitate the surface and point down at an angle.

I've gotta work on my water quality a bit before adding corals/nems. My nitrates have been in the 20's for a long time since I've only ran a FOWLR with an undersized skimmer. I really never cared too much about nitrates and never really checked them. My fish were/are always healthy. The new skimmer should help out a lot. I've used treated tap water pretty successfully for the last ten years and I just bought an RO/DI setup. I think a few weeks of efficient skimming and a couple of big water changes with RO/DI will get me where I need to be.

I've got three lyretail anthias in QT now. I wanted to get some more action in my tank because I only have large fish now. They should provide some nice movement and color. I'm hoping they won't get picked on too much.
 
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