Species specific reef ?

sasquatch · 09-17-2006, 12:59 PM

How would one define species specific, my tank at present is very unpopulated and Im curious to how something like this would play out long term regarding inhabitants and asthetics. What would be included/ excluded in Species?

reefjitsu · 09-17-2006, 07:22 PM

Generally, a species tank is one that A) contains only one species, usually a single specimen or B) a tank that is set up to keep an organism with special needs, usually in these type setups, only one target species is desired any other organisms in the tank are just accesories to facillitate keeping the target species.

Charlie97L · 09-18-2006, 04:53 PM

ie...

a seahorse tank (special flow and temperature needs)

a lionfish tank (generally not a good community fish)

an anemone tank (accessory species clownfish... depending on the anemone)

a zoanthid-only nano tank

generally, if you're into reefing, especially just getting started, species tanks are not the way to go. usually creatures that NEED a species tank are much more difficult to care for/dangerous than the average reef fish/coral/invert.

i have an acrylic 20g that i'm (eventually) setting up as a coral banded shrimp species tank. being sometimes they get too big to be safe in a community reef. also inhabited by some sps that he won't be able to break/mess with, and a damsel or two, as accessory species.

sasquatch · 09-18-2006, 06:59 PM

Thanks Reefjitsu thats what I was thinking but more along the lines of say one species and related subgroups. Charlie97l "creatures that NEED " wouldnt that be actually easier than managing the requirements of a mixed tank? Oh well wish i could formulate the questions I need to ask. see ya Steve

lcstorc · 09-19-2006, 07:55 AM

Well since they tend to be smaller tanks they are often more difficult.
I managed to combine the best of both worlds for my setup. I have a 24g seahorse tank next to my 125 reef. They share water so the paramaters stay more stable, but I am able to have lower flow and less lighting in the seahorse tank. The only thing I have not been able to adjust so far is the temp. Seahorses like a lower temp and I don't have a chiller (yet).
I also keep a cleaner shrimp some snails and some non photosynthetic corals (gorgonians and suns) in that tank as well just to have some variety etc.

Charlie97L · 09-19-2006, 11:55 PM

well you can make a mixed reef as hard or as easy as you want to... but it's a great starting point to learn the basics...

generally, the ones that need a species tank are either very time demanding and finnicky/delicate, like seahorses, or dangerous, ie. lionfish. we all get bit or stung the first year or so we do a mixed reef... better it's just a clownfish nip or a frogspawn sting than a poisonous lionfish spine, until you become more advanced.

i mean, if you've DONE a mixed reef, and are looking for a new challenge, go to it... if not, man, do a reef, they are SO diverse in life, and interesting to watch... and like i said, you can make it as hard or easy as you want, depending on the creatures you pick.

lsctorc makes a good point about the size of the tank, to start, bigger is better.

sasquatch · 09-20-2006, 12:07 AM

Thanks people now Im getting somewhere

09-17-2006, 12:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,508 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Species specific reef ? How would one define species specific, my tank at present is very unpopulated and Im curious to how something like this would play out long term regarding inhabitants and asthetics. What would be included/ excluded in Species? __________________ DIY stuff for my tank stand, 100g tank,rock lift, overflow, foam walls, closed loop,lighting reflectors, 50gal sump, bubbletrap and sock holder, ato bracket,kalk bucket and reservoir, 40gal fuge, fuge lighting, remotish dsb raceway, turf algae raceway, dual pumped recirc skimmer, more to follow. Barb ripped my sig

09-17-2006, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
reefjitsu Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Magic City Posts: 740 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Species specific reef ? Generally, a species tank is one that A) contains only one species, usually a single specimen or B) a tank that is set up to keep an organism with special needs, usually in these type setups, only one target species is desired any other organisms in the tank are just accesories to facillitate keeping the target species. __________________ You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You got to keep on hoping and cover your ears and go "blah blah blah blah"- Futurama

09-18-2006, 04:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Species specific reef ? ie... a seahorse tank (special flow and temperature needs) a lionfish tank (generally not a good community fish) an anemone tank (accessory species clownfish... depending on the anemone) a zoanthid-only nano tank generally, if you're into reefing, especially just getting started, species tanks are not the way to go. usually creatures that NEED a species tank are much more difficult to care for/dangerous than the average reef fish/coral/invert. i have an acrylic 20g that i'm (eventually) setting up as a coral banded shrimp species tank. being sometimes they get too big to be safe in a community reef. also inhabited by some sps that he won't be able to break/mess with, and a damsel or two, as accessory species. __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

09-18-2006, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,508 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Species specific reef ? Thanks Reefjitsu thats what I was thinking but more along the lines of say one species and related subgroups. Charlie97l "creatures that NEED " wouldnt that be actually easier than managing the requirements of a mixed tank? Oh well wish i could formulate the questions I need to ask. see ya Steve __________________ DIY stuff for my tank stand, 100g tank,rock lift, overflow, foam walls, closed loop,lighting reflectors, 50gal sump, bubbletrap and sock holder, ato bracket,kalk bucket and reservoir, 40gal fuge, fuge lighting, remotish dsb raceway, turf algae raceway, dual pumped recirc skimmer, more to follow. Barb ripped my sig

09-19-2006, 07:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,457 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Species specific reef ? Well since they tend to be smaller tanks they are often more difficult. I managed to combine the best of both worlds for my setup. I have a 24g seahorse tank next to my 125 reef. They share water so the paramaters stay more stable, but I am able to have lower flow and less lighting in the seahorse tank. The only thing I have not been able to adjust so far is the temp. Seahorses like a lower temp and I don't have a chiller (yet). I also keep a cleaner shrimp some snails and some non photosynthetic corals (gorgonians and suns) in that tank as well just to have some variety etc. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

09-19-2006, 11:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Species specific reef ? well you can make a mixed reef as hard or as easy as you want to... but it's a great starting point to learn the basics... generally, the ones that need a species tank are either very time demanding and finnicky/delicate, like seahorses, or dangerous, ie. lionfish. we all get bit or stung the first year or so we do a mixed reef... better it's just a clownfish nip or a frogspawn sting than a poisonous lionfish spine, until you become more advanced. i mean, if you've DONE a mixed reef, and are looking for a new challenge, go to it... if not, man, do a reef, they are SO diverse in life, and interesting to watch... and like i said, you can make it as hard or easy as you want, depending on the creatures you pick. lsctorc makes a good point about the size of the tank, to start, bigger is better. __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

09-20-2006, 12:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,508 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Species specific reef ? Thanks people now Im getting somewhere __________________ DIY stuff for my tank stand, 100g tank,rock lift, overflow, foam walls, closed loop,lighting reflectors, 50gal sump, bubbletrap and sock holder, ato bracket,kalk bucket and reservoir, 40gal fuge, fuge lighting, remotish dsb raceway, turf algae raceway, dual pumped recirc skimmer, more to follow. Barb ripped my sig

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