Starting out a Saltwater

[Ace2315]

Hey all, New to MR...

I've been doing research and as my first setup i would like to do a FOWLR....The main specimen in the setup would be a Undulate Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus...Is it a safe choice for me?. For the tank i would like to know where i would be able to find a place that offers 50g cube setup or would a traditional rectangular tank be better...I live in Weschester county...so anything in the city is fine...

 

[Reeftanker3295]

Hey all, New to MR...

I've been doing research and as my first setup i would like to do a FOWLR....The main specimen in the setup would be a Undulate Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus...Is it a safe choice for me?. For the tank i would like to know where i would be able to find a place that offers 50g cube setup or would a traditional rectangular tank be better...I live in Weschester county...so anything in the city is fine...

I would go with a 75 standard tank, nice dimensions for a FOWLR and an undulate. By your main specimen do you mean your only specimen? Because I have heard horror stories about those fish tearing anything put into the tank into shreds. I would go with another spp. of trigger and get some puffers and a dwarf angel, it would look really nice.

By the way, welcome to MR! We live pretty close.

 

[albano]

. By your main specimen do you mean your only specimen? Because I have heard horror stories about those fish tearing anything put into the tank into shreds.

+1...will tear up fish and re-arrange your rock work!...had one, NEVER again!

 

[KathyC]

Welcome to MR

I'd think that with the ultimate adult size of the fish that a rectangle would be a better choice so it can move around somewhat, and something larger than a 50 might be an even better idea.

Main specimen? A quick search tells me, you might want to consider this fish your only specimen, or the trigger might do it for you!

 

[Ace2315]

yea sorry i want that as the one and only attraction for my tank..i was thinking that certain species because i saw that is had a recommended tank size of 50g..nothing crazy big because i'm a beginner but nothing to small either its hardy...Its the only thing in the besides the rock and the sand...so it can do all the rearranging it wants as long as its happy.

 

[Reeftanker3295]

If it is your only fish then i'd say go for it. People that have had them in their own tanks love them.

 

[KathyC]

You certainly got a real MR welcome! lol
Don't be sorry - that's what we're here for and great that you are asking questions before you purchase a fish that may (or may not) be right for you.

You need to ask yourself if a FOWLR is what you ultimately want long term, because with that fish, you'd have to re-home him to add other fish or switch over to a reef type tank.

I'd put a trigger (love them!) into the same category as a FW Oscar..they are a fish that looks you in the eye & interacts and is more of a 'pet' than a tank loaded with various (read - smaller) reef fishes.

Do you have any fishkeeping experience?

 

[Ace2315]

Yea i do understand that there like pets from my research... I've had fishkeeping experience..a cousin of mine had a 75g reef and taking care of my 3 goldfish i won at a carnival for 3 years...But i'm a simple person who wouldn't mind having a single fish in my tank...i would ask my cuz but i guess i can find more experienced fishkeepers on this sight with much more in depth input...

 

[Ace2315]

can anyone recommend a place they sell tanks with the drillings in them already for the input and output flows...and an outside overflow...The outside overflow seems like a nice choice because it also maximizes the interior space within the tank?

 

[Reeftanker3295]

can anyone recommend a place they sell tanks with the drillings in them already for the input and output flows...and an outside overflow...The outside overflow seems like a nice choice because it also maximizes the interior space within the tank?

You can buy AGA RR tanks but they have internal overflows. For external overflows I am guessing you would need to get it off of glasscages.com or some other tank maker.

 

[KathyC]

You can take a look on the 'Marketplace' forum on here where people sell tanks, sometimes entire systems (and other stuff), or you could post a 'Want to Buy' thread on the WTB forum here.

We have a number of vendors (found on the bottom of the Marketplace forum) who can order a tank for you as well.

For outside sources Petland Discounts probably has the best pricing for 'standard' tanks -including RR ones - that you can order as they buy so many, they can keep the pricing down.

 

[nminunni]

Honestly, if you are just going FOWLR with one fish you could probably get away with just a HOB filter. it would save you some money on the tank and equipment.

 

[dubs]

welcome to mr u can find what your looking for on here its like a lfs the only thing u might have do a little traveling...

 

[2slo4me]

I have a 7-8 inch unadultred trigger for sale.. he is currently in a 75 gallon set up. pm me if interested not looking for much.

 

[bizarrecorals]

you planning on keeping any other fish in there? I dealt with every type of triggers that is available in the trade, Undulate Trigger are crazy. if you are putting other fish, make sure, they're bigger and aggressive and larger than the undulate . why not try a clown trigger or picasso trigger?

 

[anthony27]

i say if you want to go with that trigger go for it and if you want only that fish in your tank then go for it.

It is your tank and you are not going to need alot of lighting and good filtration is always recommended.

I kept a dragon eel for 3 years and a remora queen trigger in a 180 custom breeder and i loved it

do what you want to do after all there are sooo many options to go down