Corner Tank Ideas?

[NaCl_H2O]

Just wanted to get some ideas from everyone on how to use my corner tank? If you are familiar with my setup, I have a corner pentagon tank that is about 60g (29" deep with a 6" DSB). It is connected into the rest of the system (~700g), so water chemistry, etc. isn't a problem.

This was a FOWLR "Nemo tank", but now that the wife has a 12g nano, she gave me back the 60g corner tank :D :D

So, what do I do with it? I have a 215 that is primarily an SPS tank, and a 140 that is LPS, sofites, etc. I would really like something that is eye catching, since this is the corner tank, and the first one seen when you walk into the house. I fully expect to upgrade lights, flow rate, whatever - so don't hold back any ideas!

So far, I am considering:
- A clam tank, after I get some acrylic stairstep shelves built that could hold 1-2" depth of sand
- Zoos & shrooms
- Anemones & clowns

... so give me some ideas?

Thanks!

[::pete::]

Clam tank would be awsome ... you could make the steps using your rock as the clams will grab on.

[GaryP]

How about a carnation coral tank? You'd need to add a green water drip. You could do clams as well.

[NaCl_H2O]

Clam tank would be awsome ... you could make the steps using your rock as the clams will grab on.
I thought clams really needed to be sitting in a sand bed to be happy? That's why I was thinking to build some stairstep shelves that could hold an inch or two of sand - Big clams at the bottom, mediums on the first shelf, little dudes at the top :D


How about a carnation coral tank? You'd need to add a green water drip.
Carnation coral - hum, I'll need to look those up ... not familiar with them, got any links or pics?
The advantage of this one is I add the need for more equipment (green water) :D

[GaryP]

Clams don't need to be on sand. They are just as happy on LR.

Carnation corals are filter feeders and don't need any special lights. They are usually found in caves and under overhangs. They are some of the most colorful corals.

[captexas]

Clam tank or do a tank that is only for zoo's. I think it would be cool to have an entire tank covered with different colored zoo's, look like an undwater flower garden.

[Tim Marvin]

Some really cool sea grass! Maybe a couple seahorse if you don't mind the work, or frogfish!

[::pete::]

Yea seahorses ... never thought of that! Ill bet Misti would have suggested if Tim didnt.

[captexas]

Yeah, you could make it a species tank with an exotic fish. Something that wouldn't outgrow the tank would be good, frogfish, angler, or something like that. It really can be anything you want, just a matter of what you are interested in.

[NaCl_H2O]

Good ideas, keep 'em coming!

I can control lighting and flow independently for this tank, but water parameters and temperature are the same throughout all tanks, unless I make some BIG changes. Don't seahorses have special parameter needs - lower temps, at least?

I thought about a species tank, like a frogfish, or a nice big Moray 8) , but I don't know if that would give me the "Eye appeal" I was looking for, hum?

How about leaving it FOWLR and going with a variety of Butterflies or Triggers? Would they do well in 60g worth of swimming space?

[don-n-sa]

How about Cuttlefish? They are amazing!! Wild caught need lower temps but now there are some that are tank raised that can handle reef temps...here is a link
http://www.stickycricket.com/cuttle/

Or how about Lionfish?

[captexas]

Depends on the species, some butterflies get big while others stay small. I love butterfly fish myself, just not safe for my reef tank! lol Now a 6ft. long moray eel crammed in a 60g tank would definately get peoples attention, but I don't think the eel would be too happy! :sick Some of the smaller eels might work though and those dragon eels look really cool.

[christerrell2k3]

how about doing a lobster tank... bahahha

[Tim Marvin]

I would get something that requires less attention and lives longer than seahorses. I loved breeding them, but they were a lot of work. Frog fish are very interesting and easy to feed.

[scuba_steveo]

I vote for Lions

[NaCl_H2O]

how about doing a lobster tank... bahahha

I'm afraid they would just climb out and find their way over to the stove ;) ;)

Lions ... not bad!

Lions and Clams maybe?

[Tim Marvin]

If there is a lid octopus are very interesting!

[NaCl_H2O]

If there is a lid octopus are very interesting!

I had an Octopus in a 50g about a year ago - very interesting, but very messy! Moved stuff around, tried to squeeeze through the smallest crack available, and left pieces of Crayfish everywhere!

No lid anyway! I assume a cuttlefish would be similar.

[6LINE]

Zoa's.... like captexas said, it would be like a flower bed.

[grapplert]

Lions and clams...I might steal that idea someday!!! :w00t

Then again...you might be more popular if you DID do a lobster tank. Just drip butter using your Kalk Reactor ;)

[Richard]

Dragon Moray

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2004/fish.htm

[NaCl_H2O]

Dragon Moray

THAT is beautiful! What is the cost for a dragon moray?

Wouldn't a Moray require a tight fitting top on the tank ... and might one crawl over to another one of my tanks (about 12" away) for a midnight snack?

[scuba_steveo]

leafy seahorse

http://www.divegallery.com/Leafy_Sea_Dragon.htm

[don-n-sa]

Dragon Moray

THAT is beautiful! What is the cost for a dragon moray?

Wouldn't a Moray require a tight fitting top on the tank ... and might one crawl over to another one of my tanks (about 12" away) for a midnight snack?


Wow...this is the cheapest Dragon that I have ever seen...they usually run well over a $1000!!

Yes you would need a tight fitting tank, but it would be awesome. I have heard that you can do a pair of them, but the corner tank might be a little small.

http://www.fishsupply.com/cgi-bin/f2/common/store.cgi?dbname=f2&path=top/F/F9/F9E00

[don-n-sa]

Oh...I just thought of something...what if you sent Sam on a mission to get you one????? They are from Hawaii.

I am sure he would be happy with oh maybe $500

Most morays are very hardy and ship well.

[DeletedAccount]

A leafy seahorse is out. The requirements would not fit your tank. Get about 600 more gallons just for the leafy, and you would be fine....

Manyseahorses do not need a cooler tank. There are quite a few gorgeous colored ones that are fine in "normal" temp water. Seahorses live 5-7 years, so that is a normal lifespan for an aquarium fish. Other than low flow, you would just need to make sure to get CB so that they were eating frozen first.

I think a zoos and ricordea tank would be awesome, too.

[DeletedAccount]

If you have good lighting, you could plant the tannk with true grasses, too.

[scuba_steveo]

btw, I was not serious about the leafy. They do have one at the Aquarium in New Orleans that is in a tank that is not more than 100 gallons.

[DeletedAccount]

Evil New Orleans folks.... Guess they look more at visual appeal than animal health??????

[NaCl_H2O]

If you have good lighting, you could plant the tannk with true grasses, too.

Seahorses are tempting, but I'm not a big "special feeding" fan - how much work are they, and are there colorful tank raised species that eat frozen mysis, etc.?

What lighting would be needed for sea grasses, and where would I buy true sea grass?

[Polkster13]

Most likely they moved it to that smaller tank from a much larger display tank to free up the larger tank for something "new and exciting". I love the leafy sea dragons and would love to have one. However, there is a very strict export of these creatures, usually to just public aquariums and such, so it is not likely that the general public will ever get to keep these unless it is from cative bred stock - and then they will be very expensive. Still one can dream.

[DeletedAccount]

I will dream with you.....

[leaffish75]

chephlopod tank!

[NaCl_H2O]

"Lions, and Frogfish, and Clams" Oh My!!

What do you think? - go with the stairstepped LR aquascape for a variety of sizes of clams, one nice Lion and a neat frogfish?

Would all of these co-exist together?

What's the lighting need for the clams. The tank is Pentagon shaped, 24.5" along each long side, and 29" deep with a 6-8" DSB?

Would a 250W 10K MH with actinic PC be enough?

[don-n-sa]

Come on Steve, get a dragon moray! You could charge admission...it would pay for itself!

[DeletedAccount]

I would do a 400 for a tank that depth. Some types of clams do not like the rocks and need to be set on the sand.

[leaffish75]

250watt MH with 10K XM or MX ( get it confused) with some supplemental pc or vho would work great.

[Richard]

The dragon moray is my dream fish. One of these days I want to do a tank just for one. I don't know if you read the article but I love the part about other morays fleeing and hiding in the top corner of the tank when threatened by a dragon.

I have a really good supplier that gets them in. Only 5 or 6 a year so there's a waiting list. $700 - $1000 for a fish isn't that bad considering it the only fish that can be in the tank. Well at least that's what I'll tell my wife if I ever get one.

[NaCl_H2O]

Donny, I think I'm gonna pass on the Dragon Moray ... covered tank and all! Also thinking I don't want to go with Seahorses since the tanks are conected and any breeding would just be "Fish Food"

So, any opinions on if I could do the Lion, Frogfish, Clams combination?

Also, lighting suggestions for Clams? Maybe it's time for that "Blue Tank" - Like maybe a 400w 12, 14, or 20K and skip the actinics? A single 400w MH should be plenty for this tank, I think?

BTW - Thanks for all the suggestions ... any more?

[GaryP]

btw, I was not serious about the leafy. They do have one at the Aquarium in New Orleans that is in a tank that is not more than 100 gallons.

They have a whole SH section at the aquarium in New Orleans. We were members of the aquarium when we lived there. We moved back here right after we payed for the membership.

[Tim Marvin]

Polkster and Mathueson, I will get one for you next time I see them on the wholesalers list. They run like $60 last time I saw them.

[DeletedAccount]

OK.. If you get me a pair, I will set up a new tank for them!

[dan]

I think a big old lion would look great in that tank. that would catch your eye when you first walked in. :shades

[captexas]

Especially a nice looking one like the one in C.Mydas's avatar.

[NaCl_H2O]

So, any opinions on if I could do the Lion, Frogfish, Clams combination?

Also, lighting suggestions for Clams?

Bump! Compatability? Lights??

[captexas]

For a 29in. deep tank with clams, I'd go with a 400watt metal halide. The bulb you use is up to your personal preference on color. On the lionfish, other than possibly eating any shrimp and smaller fish, they are ok in reef tanks. It is recommended to provide a cave for them to hide in or a ledge where they can sit underneath.