Deep water biotope list.. suggestions???

[ldzielak]

I know acrylic has better properties than glass, but every crab tank I have seen in restaurants (not good examples I know) have condesation on the outer surface. I know a reef tank would be much thicker and offer better insulation, but would it be enough? What filter system did you use in you studies? I have been mostly thinking og the chiller needs. I will attempt this when I get my own house. I figure a 120g minimum would make it worth while. Just think how easy/cheap the water changes could be (gas for the truck to the beach and back...)

Darren I know this is a little off topic from your original, if others would further like to discuss cold water, lets start and new thread.

Lee

[ 08 July 2002, 02:18: Message edited by: Lee ]

[choglund]

Frog Fish Frog Fish Frog Fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DJ88]

Well another possibility is some of the Centropyge angels. Some seem to go down as deep as 40-50m plus. hmmm.. a unique angel.. :D I like that thought.. maybe an aurantius or colini..

[ 09 July 2002, 15:27: Message edited by: DJ88 ]

[Troy F]

I'd shy away from an angel even Centropyge spp. in that size of tank. I think you'd find it pacing.

[DJ88]

Troy,

Yeah you are probably right. Even the small 9 cm ones I was interested in might be too active for a 20.

Well decision made.. Serranocirrhitus latus it is. And I am not going to put mushrooms in as of yet. The coral decision will come on a few months when the tank is stable.

In the mean time I'll be keeping my eyes open to suggestions. Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.

[Dale D]

Hey

How about a peppermint angel (Centropyge boylei)( I think that is it, isn't it?) Surely, you most be able to get one now for under $10,000. :D

We've had a Centropyge aurantius in the reef tank in Chilliwack for about a year now. It's a beautiful fish, but, you don't get to see much of it. Maybe in a lower light tank it would show it's self more.

[DJ88]

Yeah Dale.. boylei is it.. gorgeous litle thing isn't it.. If I could afford one of those things I wouldn'tbe doing a 20 gal deep water tank. lol

The aurantius is the one I really wanted.. I saw one at J&L and fell in love with it. Tiny little thing. sigh..

[DJ88]

You want to simulate a deep water environment in a 20g tank? You want to keep a species that typically lives in deeper water, hence has a physiology specifically adapted for deep water pressures, yet are content to keep this same species in 12" of water for the rest of it's life?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The species I am looking at keeping are ones found at depths of 1m to 100 m. I am NOT looking to keep species that are EXCLUSIVELY found in a deep water biotope. Just one that would be found on a reef wall, in caves or dimly lit areas.

As I remember it you have or had several deep water reef wall species in your tank.

Royal Gramma. 1-60m Often found in caves or under ledges

Falme Angel. 2 - 57 m. surge zone to a depth of 57 m . Secretive and stays near shelter

These are similar species as to what I am looking at keeping. I just want to see them in a more NATURAL setting. The two speieces that I jsut mentioned display different behaviors when put into a proper environment. My gramma becomes a completely different fish when the MH goes off. It is out hovering in front of its cave as it would in the wild. Not hiding from the light. Before you go and slam me for wanting to provide a natural setting for my fish shouldn't you look at your own tank before hand?

I am spending hours and hours researching each and every possibility for this system. Ensuring that what I get is naturally found in that area of a reef. And is a species that will exist in a tank of that size. Want me to get into fish in a tank? And what belongs where???

For example, it would be cool to have a shark in my 100g tank, but it's certainly not something I would do.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You are comparing my wanting to provide a natural environment for a secretive often solitary peacful fish to a shark in a tank???? Give me a break...

When I say deep water I am talking 20-50m TOPS. The depths at which the lighting visible is blue. Not the brilliant white blinding you see at the reef crest. You dive you should know that you don't have to go far for it to get dark.. what are you thinking? that I want to keep fish that soely reside below 100m????? Read the links I posted. most of these fish are found THROUGHOUT the reef. ie. up near the surface. NOt exclusively at the bottom of the ocean.

Do you even understand the differences between the various zones of a reef??? Did you bother to look those things up before your offhanded quips???

pffft...

thanks for the addition of your valuable information.. :rolleyes: :mad:

[ 10 July 2002, 13:20: Message edited by: DJ88 ]

[George]

Chill Darren, I think Andrew raised a valid concern.

George

[Troy F]

I agree George let's relax, maybe the heat is getting to us. However, Andrew's concern, though well meaning is way off base. The vast majority of the fish we keep are found significantly deeper than any of our tanks allow. Would it be better if Darren said "dimly lit tank"? That may clarify things. Let's remember we're all friends here (I'm an exception, I'm a miserable pr--k in real life too).