Joe

Thanks for that info Bpb. Yes the harlequin tusk looks beautiful but not similar in coloration or markings unless I am looking at the wrong thing. Any other triggerfish that would be less of an issue?

If I decide to go FOWLR and set up a smaller reef tank. How would you suggest stocking the 200g? Wife loves the clown tiggerfish which is the source of the question. I know coral is out if I have one...

At the moment, what I want out of the tank is a lot of colorful, active fish. As a secondary element, I would like coral that add to the color and movement in the tank. My 2.5 year old daughter is going to want to see all of her freinds from "Finding Nemo."

Thanks for your input Robb. I am just beginning to figure this out so my fish list may change as I learn more. I have heard there are other wrasses that present fewer challenges so I guess I need to do some more reading on live aquaria!

Hello All. As the title suggests I have decided to set up my first salt tank. I have kept freshwater aquariums for years but I know very little about salt. No worries as I know I will learn as I go just as I did with previous tanks. However my first decision is which tank to use.

I have an Oceanic 125 that is not drilled and I have a 200 gallon 7x2x2 that is drilled on both ends and has a sump that came with it. I was planning on making the 200 a huge african cichlid tank but my interest in salt has been growing recently and my plan to start with a 45g has gradually evolved to this. I am weighing the cost/benefits of using the 125 vs the 200. I know the fact that the 200 is drilled makes it a better set up for salt but the size also means more cost in the form of lighting, sand, and rock. How much more?

Can I use lighting that I would normally use on a 6' tank despite the fact that this tank is 7'? I would like to use LED's.

As far as stocking, my planned approach is to add the fish that I want and then add coral that will work with them rather than having the coral dictate which fish I can keep. I like things like the bannana wrasse and lion fish. Given that info, would it be possible to keep some coral with those fish? If so, which ones would you suggest? I would like to start looking them up and planning gradually as I put the tank together. Thanks!