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before i read the replies to this i posted the exact same question in the "species for a predator only tank" so ignore the thickness question sorry.
i think ill go with the pvc cause ive got plans to make it several pipes interconnecting on different levels....... then fill it and cover it with live rock. plus live rock hanging from the top of the aquarium to make it look more cave like. any other suggestions for an interesting display?

Soem dwarfs dont't pick at corals as much as others. I had a flame that was fine.



Dan

No corals. The Angelfish would probably eat them.

imagine this for a tank. 2 blue ribbon eels and a bi coloured dwarf angelfish! in a 55g. what corals would u guyz put in to emphasize their colours?

thats a good idea with the cave. i doubt im going to use pvc pipes now as its dawned on me that i would never actually see the eel....... all concerns ova blue ribbons eels mortality rates would a a br eel and a snowflake be compatible?

There is no set up where the snowflake eel would be mostly out in the open, which the snowflake would be feel comfortable. As this is against their natural instincts. What I did with mine was to make the cave face the direction that I wanted to best view the eel as it peered out. What I would do was with a pair of tongs hold it's meal (octupus or squid) about six to eight inches outside its cave and it learned to come out to eat. It would then move about the aquarium for a bit, then re-enter it's cave for the majority of the day. Now it was more active at night, but that probably wasn't what you wanted to hear.

John

They don't come out an dswim all that much. It will mainly be your head they see sticking out of a hole.



Dan

lol so what would be the best setup to get a snowflake eel out in the open and swimming?

Here is a site that has several different designs. http://www.reeferrocks.com/DIY/index.htm (although they are bit sparce). I would recommend that you base your design on what you would like the occupants to be doing, ie. swimming around, hanging around, or a combination of both. Just remember one of the benefits of a reef or FOWLR system is the ability to make it different than everyone elses.

John

It's dificult to explain a set up. Your best bet is to buy your rock, look at it, then figure out how it best fits together.



Dan

thinking of purchasing a dragon eel. will a 55g suffice? ive decieded that he will be the only fish in the tank so there will be a minimal bio load. any body have any expierence with this gorgeous critter?

The plus to PVC pipe is they wont move the rocks around. If they are not happy with the caves the LR provide, they will move rocks. A vase is a good idea. For my PVC I make the cave short and cover the end with rock, the PVC gets covered with coraline over time and it's hard to see. It will come down to personal preference.



Dan

For decor reasons, don't get the pvc pipe, just get caves of some kind. I have several smaller vases, about quart size, that have used for mine. They love them. They go in and then stick there heads out. I have also had them in tanks with no hiding places other than LR. They will make their own hiding spots. I did this when I had three at the same time. As they were all 3 hiding in the vase at the same time, lol. So I removed it. The were out in the tank more this way. As long as they have some LR to hide inbetween, and wrap around, they will be fine. Snow flake eels are great little tank mates for a FOWLR, as well they have been kept in reef tanks too. I know of a few that have been hand fed, but I did not want to risk the injury to try this, lol.

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There is always a bigger fish...

An 1 1/2" ID pipe will be fine. I would suggest making it at least 2 feet in length. No need to be straight, so get soem elbos and stuff to make it more interesting. Snowflakes go for around $20 to $30 depending on the size. I've seen large ones for $50



Dan

after checking the average price of a hawaiian dragon eel "+$500" i might opt for the snowflake eel. anybody know how thick they get so that i can plan ahead with the correct pvc pipe size. thanks

There are different kinds of dragon eels. There is a mexican dragon, a Hawaiian dragon. Both of these are smaller eels, in the area of 3 feet. Both are semi aggressive. I would suggest keeping these in nothing smaller then a 100gal tank. A 55 would be OK for a snowflake eel, these get around 2 feet in length. Eels realy don't need a LOT of room to swim, but do need a lot of water to help with the bio load. They are messy eaters. They will also need a LOT of live rock and building them a real nice PVC cave system is a real good idea. Eels require a lot attention to where they will live. For the most part they sit in there cave and only have there head stick out. I suggest stick feeding them, unless your brave/stupid, or simply trust what you are doing, then you can hand feed them. This is how I feed my zebra moray. Not sure which one I fall under.

Dan

I would say a full grown one requires a min 150 gal tank.

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There is always a bigger fish...

According to the below listed site, a small specimen needs a minimum of 55 gals. and a large specimen needs at least 75 gals. I have read that they are expensive, but easily obtained.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/eelcare/l/blpickdragoneel.htm

Hope this helps.

John

i dont exactly know what you mean by "dragon eel". If you mean a Bichir- it depends entirely upon the variety you keep. Toirtis on here- he knows Bichirs, you should ask him. I think there are some that would fit in a 55g, but I think most need a larger tank than that.


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