Small predator tank

What would you need to run a coral-less predator tank, lets say 50ish gallons.

hmm i would say an Aqua-clear 110 or a Pengquin double sided filter.. something large but it wouldn't have to be more than just HOB. No protein skimmer either..

No sump or refugium?

Would a canister be ample?

i think a canister would be fine.. yes a refugium or sump would be good but no nessecary..

That really depends on what you are going to keep.

A messy eater requires more filtration.


Also, would this "50ish" gallon tank have freshwater in it currently?

Yes it does currently house freshwater fish

This would be a consideration in the upcoming month. I am just not feeling the same about freshwater as I used to.

You could convert your freshwater into a largemouth bass tank

I used to have a 20g that I had two 4" bass in. They stayed that size for over a year.. Just caught them out of a random pond.. fed them live minnows. THAT was the fun part!!

Nicholas41 wrote:

I am just not feeling the same about freshwater as I used to.

Aarghh, ye be havin' the saltwater o'er ye veins now lad.

schudini wrote:

Aarghh, ye be havin' the saltwater o'er ye veins now lad.

Pretty much! My money doesn't seem to care for the saltwater though!


I was thinking a toby puffer as the show piece??? ?

beatufiul puffer!!

I thought so! The tank is in my room and I thought he would look stunning under LEDs! I'd consider a dwarf lionfish with him, but i'd never want to stick my hand in the tank lol

+1 Josh. Filtration requirements are going to depend on the bioload and what you are going to keep.

Nice puffer! If you are thinking puffers and lionfish (not triggers, sharks, etc.) I think a canister filter would be fine. I've never done a predator tank (or fish-only sw tank for that matter), though...

I think the XP on it would do fine, and I might throw a skimmer on it (that's why I was considering the one on RC, put it on my reef, and the seaclone/microbubble skimmer on my possible predator tank)

The puffer is great looking, and I was considering a dwarf lionfish with one, but the honestly scare me... I wouldn't want my hand in there. Is it common to get hit by their spines?

And I thought maybe a few macros in there for a "possible" lionfish to enjoy (and act as part refugium?)

Or possibly a toby puffer and a dwarf angel, maybe some nice size green chromis to school around the tank?

All of the ideas sound great. Unfortunately, I know nothing about lionfish. Someone else will have to chime in.

+1 on the puffer and angel idea.

my chromis got eaten by my puffer though.. might want to try jawfish or something else interesting (theyre $14 each at ccritters )

maybe a green wolf eel? Those are really cool.. used to have one..

I thought about the wolf eel, maybe but that's along the lines of the lionfish for me lol. Not convinced I want me hand in there.

Eels = creepy

Sam_G wrote:

Eels = creepy

Cool but creepy, so agree. lol

Is this going to be bare bottom, or have sand?

One idea, since it is freshwater now anyway, is to start with a brackish fish, then slowly go salt. I have always thought that the dragon goby looked awesome, and would be a sweet addition to a saltwater tank.

And according to liveaquaria, 50 gallon is the perfect size for them.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=954+2526&pcatid=2526

As tempting as that is I am just going to leave the tank as is for now.

Nicholas41 wrote:

I thought about the wolf eel, maybe but that's along the lines of the lionfish for me lol. Not convinced I want me hand in there.

Nahhh these guys are great! Used to let her feed out of my hand all the time! Only got bit once and that was my own stupidty. feels like a lizard bite.. actually they don't really have many teeth so its just kinda like clamp. No marks left or anything. My vlamingii actually will leave marks if I let hhim bite me!

I may consider that then. Or I may just leave the tank how it is. I'd like to move out by the summer, so if you think about it...

Setup in late december (janurary), cycled around feb., get the first fish feb/march. move out 3 months later? lol Not sure if its worth the time and money, but I'll still consider it.

even if you set up in december or january I'm sure between me, you and samantha if we all did a water change we'd have enough "pre-cycled" water to fill your tank

but yes, that's not a lot of time before you move.. do you plan on getting an apartment? Lotta apartments won't allow aquariums.. might want to check that lol

Probably a condo or townhome. That would be taken into consideration before moving. For all I know I may move this summer, or possibly the following. Knowing me I'll probably do the tank lol

I know you plan on keeping the tank as a fresh water, but if you get an eel, just dont train it to eat hot dogs >_<

skip to about 3:15/3:20ish to see the action , def. watch to the end after that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHNpYxCSnUM

As far as a 50gal as a predator tank, you'll be limited to smaller predators and i'd recommend against getting any groupers, triggers, or puffers (with the exception of a few). The toby would be a good choice as well as a smaller lionfish such as a fuzzy dwarf or a sphex (if you can find one).

As always, do the research, plan appropriately, and practice good fish keeping ethics.

Besides that, dwarf golden morays would be a sweet eel to have. much prettier then wolf eels imo.