Hi I Need A Little Help

[puffer 2008]

i currently have a 5 foot cichlid tank but i am getting very bored of the fish my first i dear was to tuen it into a brackish tank but i havebeen to my lfs and sen a lovley porkypine puffer in there he has been in for a few weeks now and the more i see him the more i want him so i am going to convert my cichlid tank to full marine i was wondering if i just had 3 fish in there would i need a protine skimmer or could i just rund an external off the tank ? allso i was wanting to add 2 topaz puffers in with the porky would this be ok as they need full marine conditions as adults there is plenty of space of 3 fish in there
also would i need live rock i know it helps but how much would i need for 3 fish cheers phil

 

[SkiFletch]

Andywg and Lynden will be able to help you with preds far more than I, but I will suggest a skimmer for sure, I'm pretty confident they would as well

 

[Lynden]

Yes I would suggest a skimmer. Does this tank by chance have a sump? If so a refugium in it would help as well.

You can add as much or as little live rock as you want, I would suggest only enough for a few caves and leave the rest for swimming area.

 

[puffer 2008]

well i have sold my cichlids now and there off on sunday so im gonna get some new sand and a bit of live rock i have seen the simmer i want a tmc v2 800 skim which sould be ok for my tank if i have dont my maths rite please tell me if not how long should i wait before i can add my puffer ??? also will i need a fileter with the skimmer or will the skimmer do it all

 

[Lynden]

I would recommend a filter, and I would also recommend switching the biological portion for a chemical media, such as granular ferric oxide, available commercially as "phosphate remover".

If you get fully cured rock, do not wait to get the puffer. Get him as soon as the rock goes in (as in hours or a day later); this will help you avoid mini-cycles.