Predator Tank

[bingncrash]

I've got a friend who has a 30 gallon tank with a huma huma trigger, a very small lion fish, and a marine beta. He's wondering what type of ground fish/invert he could use to get rid of excess waste/algae that collects on the bottom.

Any suggestions?

-bc

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to RDO, bingncrash!

I would suggest siphon off the waste and do water change, since with the stocking level (tiny 30 gal tank with 3 messy predators! 8O), the nitrate level must be out of the roof!

Maybe he want to add a baby shark in there? <Warning: troll bait>

 

[bingncrash]

Thanks Reef Box. He is already doing water changes... just was wondering if you could put some stuff (like perhaps a few hermit crabs, or something like that) on the bottom.
-bc

 

[fishfanatic2]

You could, and it wouldn't be bad, but keep in mind that he is going to need a bigger tank very soon.

 

[bingncrash]

Thanks for the info.
-bc

 

[Anonymous]

Won't the trigger eat the hermits?

My suggestion is to give him a bigger tank for his birthday! :wink:

 

[danmhippo]

Hermits, or any other crab will be trigger snack. His best bet is just siphon them off during water change. I don't think there are any inverts that stays low could withstand trigger attack.

 

[Tackett]

I agree with Dan. Just siphon the bottom during water changes, most any clean up crew will be a lunch buffet for that group. I would also tell him to get a bigger tank, soon. The fish he has now are probably teeny tiny small. But Triggers grow fast, as do bettas. A humu-humu trigger (which I am assuming is Rhinecanthus aculeatus) can get about 10- 12 inches long. A marine betta will acheive a max size of 8-10 inches. The lionfish is probably a dwarf lion and will be fine in a 30, but if It is a Russel's, Volitan, or some other species of large lion, then it will need a bigger tank also. Keep in mind that the longer he goes with these guys in a tank that small, the more nasty the waste will be. As I said, triggers grow very fast. The marine betta is a species of grouper AFAIK and will probably grow rapidly also. As the fish get bigger, their waste will get bigger, and the more food you will have to feed them, and as mentioned, they are messy eaters. He better have one massive skimmer on that little tank if he wants to keep them alive for very long. I would venture to say that in less than a year, he will find himself out of space.

 

[bingncrash]

Thanks Tacket. He's already skimming like crazy. I'll pass along the advice. I think when the time comes he'll go for the larger tank too.

 

[Tackett]

good to hear.