Predator Tank help

[koa25]

So I'm new to MAAST, Been cruising the forums and even bought a couple corals from you guys. Everyone is very insightful and helpful. I greatly appreciated the warm welcome I got. I have a 125 mixed reef that I am going to consolidate most of down into a little 56 gallon I just got and do a mostly coral and some smaller fish and such. I want to convert my 125 into a predator tank. My girlfriend and I are toying with the idea of a small breed shark and stingray with a tang or two or a trigger. Something on the sand. Something on the mid to top level of the water so there is no wasted water viewing area. I've read that a lot of people wouldn't do triggers in the tank with stingrays cause they pick at them and their tails. I've also read that if introduced together a small sizes that they can be successful if well feed. I am just curious if there is stuff I am over looking for a predator tank. I have a 4 foot sump with bioballs, a refugium, and return. A crappy protein skimmer that did its job. and soon a Fluval FX5 filter. I've read about the Dietary needs of these large predator type fish and am willing to make accomendations with chunky meat and live food. Not "meat" pellets of course. I guess what I am getting it is there more equipment i need? Is there stuff that I should expect when making this change over? Shoud I overhaul my filter system? Obviously I wont be keeping these guys to full size in my aquarium. Not cruel. But would like some advice and experience of individuals who have made this plunge. I don't want to set myself up for failure. Even if it means not doing the tank cause I'd just end up killing them. Greatly appreciated.

Michael,

[Mike]

My understanding is sharks can be pretty hard to keep. Stingrays need a lot of open sand, so maybe a couple if rock columns. Remember it can be hard to keep a CUC with predators, as they eat snails and hermits and other inverts. Triggers run the gambit with some being much more aggressive than others. My Picasso trigger is the boss of the tank, but not really aggressive except at feeding time. Other triggers can actually attack their tank mates and I got rid of a very mean pinktail for just that reason.

[koa25]

Yeah. I was actually thinking of rock mounds at either end of the tank in the back corner of the tank for hiding places and looks with the middle of the tank left completely open for just sand maybe some plants in the middle. Kind of figured the CUC would get devoured. Most of what I read said that bamboo sharks will leave CUC's alone if well fed but Stingrays will destroy them no matter what. So i might be replacing my CUC monthly... Or weekly. A Picasso is actually the trigger I was thinking about getting. I love them. Good looking fish and personality to boot. Greatly appreciate the input. Would you recommend against a Picasso in a tank like that? Should I stick with Tangs?

[betiuminside]

I have a predator tank and I have 3 triggers, picasso, undulated and niger. They started to fight at the begging but they are okay now... They will get into a fight here and there but just because that's their nature I believe.
I feed a lot!! and I believe that's what you will need to do , so they don't fight, etc. So if you have a crappy protein skimmer, you need to upgrade! You need a very nice skimmer to get rid of all that poop ASAP!
Also I would recommend to have a UV to be safe for all the parasites or fish diseases that you may encounter. No fancy lights needed... Actually I have a MH with PC set up, but the MH is on only for 2 hrs and the PC for 5.
My tank looks without color because of the lack of light but I prefer this than having to deal with algae...
I also have a chain link maroon eel and Emperor Angel ( the boss ), Fox Face, porcupine puffer and a Damsel...
You are welcome to come to my house and look at it... let me know I am 281 north.
I would use the Fluval to run Carbon and other nitrate, nitrite removers... but not for bacteria...

[koa25]

Awesome. Thank you betiuminside. I might have to take you up on that offer. Kind of figured the protein skimmer would have to drastically improve. Bigger fish. Bigger poop. Thanks for the input on what to run. So i should focus more on mechanical and chemical. Not bacterial filtration? I have a 18w UV running. Had to for my koran. Kept getting spotty without it.

[betiuminside]

I believe bacterial will come once you put the rock and let it cycle and stuff... if you already did this.. then you should be okay.... Because you are feeding the fish... IMO it's not like corals that would need more bacteria and stuff in the water to grow.... Are you going to set up the tank? from scratch? or is already running? and just want to take different direction? When would you like to come?

[koa25]

I already have a running 125 rock sand and all. Been a reef tank for about a year now. Going to consolidate a lot of it down to to my new 56 gallon. Still leaving some LR and LS in the 125 tank. I just want to go a different route with it. I wanted to give the predator tank a go. It wouldnt be a long term commitment cause the army will be moving me in about a year most likely. So the shark and ray wont have a large amount of time to grow to full size. so a fluval and oversized protein skimmer should surfice you think? I appreciate the input.