Question on a 75 gal

[TheOtherDay]

Hello Everyone.

I was given a 75gal tank, already drilled and such, and I wanted to set it up.

I already have a small reef running, a 30 gal cube, so I was thinking about making this a FOWLR tank, to keep the fish I like that will eat my other tank for a snack :).

Now, I know with LR you need a clean up crew to keep it nice and pretty. What is the best to do? Rely on fish to do the clean up? Or get snails and hermit crabs?

1 fish I want to put in the tank definatly is a Blue Jaw trigger. I have actually seen these guys in a LFS stores reef tank display (about 150gal tank). They claim they have had no issues with him. Now I know with triggers is a hit or miss kind of deal and they may decide to just snack.

I also am aware that the 75 gal will eventually not be large enough to hold some of the fish that grow large, I have another tank eventually that will be used to transfer them too.

So my question is is it just a luck of the draw? Is there any kind of invert like that will be moderatly safe? Corals, Starfish, Snails, etc.. or is is basically just rock and fish and so be it?

Also, is 4x65w PC lighting enough for such a tank?

Any advise would be appreciated.

[TheOtherDay]

Ok,

Now heres one. I went to a local LFS and written on the tank they listed the blue jaw trigger as Reef Safe Omnivore..

I have seen these in reef tanks, my question is are they? Has anyone have experience with them?

[steve1s]

Looks like we missed this one altogether....

The Blue throat is actually only one of several triggers that could be housed with inverts and corals. Additional triggers would be crosshatch, niger, pink tail and sargassum. As with all these types of fish there is no guarantee they will behave as predicted but I have kept both the niger and pinktail with corals and inverts with no issues.

The only caution I would advise is avoid decorative shrimp and purchase the trigger small <3".

Also, is 4x65w PC lighting enough for such a tank?
If this is for the FO or FOWLR (?) this amount of light is really not necessary. If straight FO, any NO type lighting will be fine. For an FOWLR, anything above 150ish watts for 75 gal will be fine just make sure it has actinics. As long as you are sure it will not be upgraded to a reef later, you will be fine with less. If you do opt for the 4x65w, it will allow some soft corals and lower light demanding LPS.

Cheers
Steve

[TheOtherDay]

Steve,

Thanks

Final question, what about cleaner shrimp? Is it better to have it in the tank first then add the trigger? or, just not at all because it will become lunch :)

[steve1s]

There is a strong possibility any type of shrimp would become lunch. :wink: The only one that would stand a remote chance would be a cleaner shrimp although still a risk. If you do get one, make sure it is established in the tank prior to the trigger and make sure the shrimp is on the larger size.

Cheers
Steve

[nanoman123]

how about an arrow crab?

[steve1s]

how about an arrow crab?

Lunch!! :shock:

Cheers
Steve

[nanoman123]

lol i thought so. i know nothing about arrow crabs, besides the fact that they eat bristle worms. are they an ornamental shrimp?

[steve1s]

lare they an ornamental shrimp?
Some think so, it really depends on what you want your tank to represent. Personally, I'm not fond of them and stick to more ornamental and colorful species but with a trigger there is no such thing.

Cheers
Steve