New Predator tank_input welcome!

xxaquanutxx · #1 07/26/2004, 08:26 PM

Hey yall!,

I have an extra 60g tank laying around that i bought used just because i happen to have that exact amount of money.

I am moving out of my moms next year and I dont want to set up a reef tank and have to worry about moving all the corals and fish in a few months.

My idea

Living on the coast of Miami i can catch alot of my own fish. I want to set up the tank with fish that when i move I can release them back into the ocean where i caught them and not have to worry about moving them.

The Fish List

Here are a bunch of fish that i can get with out worry!

-Snapper
mutton
school master
yellowtail
cubera

-grouper
strawberry
black
gag
hind

-eels
snowflake
moray

-Grunts
white
french
black

-Wrasse
slippery dick

-Misc. Fish
tripple tail
queen trigger
puffer
gobies

Those are all the options that I have for my tank... and they are all withing the 2-3" range. The tank has lots of LR, LS, and some vegetation. Here are the tank items i have:

60Gallon tank w/overflow
U/V sterilizer
trickle sump
Return pump
vertical spray bar
Aqua C skimmer
1 Heater (dont really need one living in FL)
2 THermometers
1 canopy 2x 48" 40W Flouro

Thats about it.. can yall tell me if I am missing anything or need anything more for these guys!! Thnks!

Wolverine · #2 07/27/2004, 05:45 PM

There have been a few heated discussions on this topic, but, at risk of starting another, I'll throw my thoughts in here.

Releasing the fish back into the ocean is a horrendous idea, and really is just a nice way of saying that you're sending them to their death.

As a general rule, this hobby is one of patience. If you're talking about moving out in a few months, I'd just wait. It's really just a few months, and, in this hobby, success is measured in years at least.

Dave

xxaquanutxx · #3 07/27/2004, 06:59 PM

Why would they die if I put them back? I mean... I am taking them from right off the canal edge... and all the water and rocks and everything is coming right from the same canal. Even thier food will come from the canal ( i cast net minnows and majua) and if its not from thier it will be live shrimp.

So I dont see how the predatory insticts will inhibit them from goig back into the wild... or the environment because it will be the same.

Balor · #4 07/28/2004, 05:32 PM

Well when you put it that way..

I would just be hesitant b/c the first time you buy something from the lfs you have risked the entire ecosystem where you are releasing them. If it will be purely taken from the ocean; that means water, rock, sand, fish and food, sure go for it.

Wolverine · #5 07/28/2004, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xxaquanutxx
So I dont see how the predatory insticts will inhibit them from goig back into the wild... or the environment because it will be the same.

Their true predatory instinct won't be hurt, but their skills will be. It won't take them nearly as much effort to catch something in a 60g box as it will in the wild, and, like everything, it does take some work, and it doesn't take much to lose it. I've seen several different kinds of fishes decline in their abilities to track down food on their own during their time in tanks.

You also have the issue that they will quickly learn not to avoid things bigger than them (aka you), which is fine in your tank, but not so good when they go back to the wild, where "bigger things" will often be a predator. They only get one chance to screw that up.

Dave

xxaquanutxx · #6 07/28/2004, 08:07 PM

Wolverine-

You carry out a good arguement, but there is always more than one answer to any question. I have a friend who works at the local sea aquarium here where theyhave multiple tanks and she said that she would be more than be glad to take them on when I am ready to move and setup my reef tank.

xxaquanutxx · #7 07/28/2004, 08:08 PM

Hey wolverine...

judging ur avatar... why dont u change ur name to piccalo?? lol

Wolverine · #8 08/01/2004, 01:56 PM

I think that's a better option than releasing them into the ocean. For my personal tastes, I don't like to set up a tank for that short term, because I think the tank really comes into its own after it's been going for a long while. But I know not everyone agrees with that.

As for the user name, I had that long before I knew anything about piccolo. I got tired of using comic pictures of the character Wolverine because the names coming from my history with the University of Michigan, and not from the character.

Dave

xxaquanutxx · #9 08/01/2004, 08:43 PM

well it turns out the parade wont start for another few months. I was bussy moving the tank to a suitable position in the house so that I can have easy access to it when my mom comes home....** ee, ee, ee, ee**

Oh what a tantrum she through... " you can put it there, how will you be able to pull out the chair from the dinning room table" Mind you there was tons of room. or "it cant go there, it will block the painting" The only place I could put it was in a place where i wouldnt be able to service it properly. So i guess i am waiting untill I move out to set it up.

I did however start my 2G hex tank today