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I've been keeping freshwater fish for awhile now, and have five tanks.

Now my stepson is offering me his marine tank (complete w/ fish) because he's moving and can't take it with him.

Questions:

1) How much more work/harder is a marine tank than a freshwater tank?

2) I travel a bit for work. I can leave my freshwater tanks for a week or so at a time. Could I do that for marine, or would someone have to come in and take care of it? (For instance, how often do you have to top off the water?)

3) How often do you change water in marine tanks? Weekly? Biweekly? And how much?

4) One of the fish that comes with the tank is a Picasso triggerfish. Is that a fish I'd want to take on? What's its disposition? Is it very aggressive? (i.e., would adding tankmates be a problem?)

Thanks!

A marine tank in my opinion is not much harder. The main ingredient is time and patience, especially while setting up or adding anything to it. You can do it w/ a hang on back filter w/ a heater and a powerhead(s) and a fairly good substrate. Depending on how big the tank is the picasso or huma huma triggerfish can be kind of aggressive. I have a 4" one at home and he currently resides w/ a yellow tang a pygmy angel and 2 skunk cleaner shrimp. I've had him w/ the shrimp since he was the size of a quarter. I've heard some stories where their trigger was hell w/ fins. I guess a lot of it depends on the size of the trigger and the tank. If it's a smaller tank i'm sure he has already claimed the tank for his own. Mine is in a 55 gallon for now and will not let anyone else in the tank.

I think those fish have great personality but it's up to your taste in fish. He can get large also so probably a 75 gallon or larger would be ideal for him. Depending on your tank size maybe a pygmy angel or a pair of perculas or something like that.

Also forgot to add people will recommend water changes every week 10-15% Or depending on your amonia, nitrate levels (since it's already set up) if it's in good shape you can prob go once a month.

For top offs you just need to keep an eye on the water level and keep it at a constant level. The water will evaporate easily but your salinity will increase. On my 40 gallon reef w/ a open top I top that off prob every 2-3 days.


If you have a lot of live rock in the tank your livestock can go a while w/o a feeding. 1-2lbs. per gallon.

Last edited by jkalfsbeck at 01-Jun-2005 12:41

1) How much more work/harder is a marine tank than a freshwater tank?

Hmm. If it's done right, it's not much harder at all actually. The expenses are harder to deal with, that's for sure. But that also depends on the type of system you're running. I know the three pumps and lights on my tank will make a nice chunk of our electric bill, but then again I'm running halides. There just isn't as much slacking with saltwater. You become accustomed to "water change day" and you dont skip it. Feedings are more routine w/ the exception of reef tanks. It's a different world really.

2) I travel a bit for work. I can leave my freshwater tanks for a week or so at a time. Could I do that for marine, or would someone have to come in and take care of it? (For instance, how often do you have to top off the water?)

Hmm. Evaporation happens quickly in some cases. It depends on the size of the system and the lights you will be running. You can do DIY things to do auto top offs and drips (like kalk) in many cases, so it shouldn't be a huge problem providing the circumstances. Leaving for a week is okay if the tank is established IMO. You're almost safer leaving it alone than having someone who doesn't have experience try to help you out. And sometimes automatic feeders dont work well either. Depending on what you're keeping, I'd say the one week vacations wont be too big of a problem.

3) How often do you change water in marine tanks? Weekly? Biweekly? And how much?

There is no set amount. I plan on doing weekly WC's during cycling, biweekly when understocked, and weekly when stocking limit is near. Just like with fw tanks, it's going to depend on the bioload. I like to go with Calfo in saying that dilution is the solution to pollution, water changes are good!!! Better to take harmful things out and replace the goodies. If I had to make an average ballpark guess? I'd say 15%-20% maybe.

4) One of the fish that comes with the tank is a Picasso triggerfish. Is that a fish I'd want to take on? What's its disposition? Is it very aggressive? (i.e., would adding tankmates be a problem?)

Rhinesantus aculeatus is actually one of the nicer triggers from the genus. You will be able to add other fish providing there is enough room, and they are around the same size, not smaller. I'd watch for signs of destructiveness (wow made that word up) meaning rearranging the tank, biting/breaking heaters, etc. Otherwise, they aren't really so aggressive IME. Keep away from inverts though, and be prepared for a growth of near 10". I'll quote Scott Michael's info on it since I so happen to have my copy of Marine Fishes handy...

Picasso (Humuhumu) Triggerfish

"A species for modern art lovers or anyone who desires a fish that thinks it's a dog. Juvieniles are relatively mild-mannered and will learn to eat from their owners' fingers. Belligerence will increase with age, and they should be kept with fish equal in size or larger. If introduced simultaneously into a larger tank, they can be housed with memebers of the same genus. Jueveniles are compatible with members of their own species, but fights are likely to become more frequent as they mature. Will occasionally bite heater tubes and air-line tubing, and may rearrange aquarium decor."

There ya have it. It's also recommended to give them at least 55 gallons of swimming space, and feed 3x a day.

Keep up the research and feel free to post any questions you may have.

-Ferret




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