Picasso and Ricordea
Directions for stocking new mixed reef/fish/invert system 4-3-08
Hey Guys,
<<Joshua.>>
Got a few questions for you:
<<Okay.>>
First, I am planning over the next couple months to get my 80 gal reef tank up and running with a 4-5" DSB and live rock. I wanted to run my possible fish ideas by you and see if you saw any major conflicts.
<<Okay.>>
1-2 Yellowheaded Jawfish, a couple neon gobies, a couple Falcula Butterflies,
<<I would not go with more than one.>>
1-2 fairy wrasse and the real iffys---a hippo tang
<<Skip the latter in this size tank.>>
and a really small Picasso Trigger.
<<I foresee possible aggression/predation issues in the long term…particularly with the more benthic fish, like the Jawfish and the goby.>>
The game plan is to let everything settle in their nooks for a while before thinking about adding the tang and/or trigger.
<<I would forget about the former and reconsider the latter, at least perhaps a different species. For any trigger 80 gallons is pushing it to be honest, I would not feel comfortable letting an adult live out his life in this size a tank…especially with other tank mates.>>
There will be lots of nooks and crannies for fish to hide in my aquascape.
<<…..If your trigger doesn’t rearrange it as he ages, hehe.>>
I don't know much yet about the hippo tang,
<<I encourage you to research it, by all means gain knowledge, but in the end I would surmise you too will see it is not a good match for your aquarium.>>
but according to what I've read, the Picasso wont really harm my reef as they feed mostly on shrimp and stuff. how reliable is that if I am diligent to keep it fed and healthy?
<<As far as predatory behavior goes, the trigger would much rather have crustaceans, bivalves and slow moving fish over cnidarians. However, this does not exclude them from “playing” with or abusing your Cnidarian life by attacking/moving them directly or the underlying rockwork. In particular if you get into stony corals it may use them as a dog uses a dried bone. The point? There is a risk.>>
Will he or the tang try to eat any corals I would like to add?
<<The tang? Not very likely, the trigger? See above.>>
Second, my tank is 21" deep counting the DSB and according to my math, I am totally unsure whether I should wait and invest in metal halide or stay with power compact.
<<Either way I would not go with PowerCompact, the design of the bulb itself is somewhat flawed for this application. The bent back on itself design literally causes the bulb to cook itself, and the lumens depreciate very quickly. This means you would have to replace the bulbs every 6 to 9 months for optimal par ratings. Besides that, aesthetically, they don’t produce the color that T-5HO or VHO produce. If you go the route of florescent lighting look into T-5 HO. As far as what lighting I would pick for you? It really depends on the targeted photosynthetic, zooxanthellae hosting animals you plan to keep.>>
I would like to have both SPS and LPS eventually but would around 550 watts from 4 x 64 watt power compact be ok?
<<See my above comments re:. Look into Sanjay Joshi Articles for an in depth look. For what you are aiming for a think x2, 150 watt DE MH would be good, supplemented by T-5HO fluorescents. HOWEVER, that is a VERY general guide, please research diligently and pick a lighting system that best matches.>>
Lastly, I have a beautiful Ricordea floridae that has grown green/blue and beautiful. Recently I accidentally acquired an annoying white sponge with a hair like crown that is multiplying like crazy. A large one was growing on rock under my Ricordea so I used a pair of Needlenose to gently lift up its size and pull out the sponge. Now my Ricordea has folded in half away from that side and has stayed like that for a month now. Tried relocating just leaving it alone but nothing has changed it. What should I do?
<<Sponges like corals, are very adept in secreting allopathic compounds, Best you can do is provide optimal water parameters and run some extra carbon.>>
Thanks for all your help! Its priceless!
<<Welcome.>>
Josh
<<Adam J.>>