which is better

[Doug]

Ok, here ya go Mike.

I would not use bio balls either. All though they are an efficient bio filter, they create lots of nitrates. If you wish to do large water changes to remove the nitrates or run some king of a sand/algae sump to remove them, then the bio balls will work.

If you are going to keep a pair of manderins, which the six lines may eventually kill, you will need lots of live rock for them to hide and eat in. Also if you wish to keep 3 pygmy angels, for sure you need lots of live rock and hidey holes, as thats where they live. All the above mentioned do not like the open type tanks and will be uncomfortable in there. Thats why I think live rock is best.

As you know, I also think 4 tangs is pushing it. Remember powder browns & hippo,s are more prone to ick. The idea of a tank raised hippo is good though, as Jayson gets nice ones in, but small.

My suggestion if you wish to go the route you mentioned, is to forgo the smaller fish all together and perhaps go with a larger species that would appreciate the wide open crusing space of your tank. Perhaps "one" of the more durable and healthy types of larger angels and a tank raised hippo. Or if only keeping mushrooms type corals, etc. maybe a trigger, {finger muncher}.

The angel and hippo would have lots of room to swim and could be biologically filtered by bio balls, with some sand and algae growing in a sump to help remove nitrates. Also removes ammonia, phosphates and nitrites. The small amount of live rock, perhaps along with some limestone slab caves, would give them a hiding place and a surface on which to grow algae for them to nibble on.

For smaller fish, you could add some ignorant damsels. Ones like the velvet and blues are stunning, but pig headed. They would do fine with large bossy fish though.

Of course if you kept a trigger, shrimp, starfish, etc. are food.

Another possible senario to save on power and equipment, would be to go as above, with the bio balls, put some sand in the sump to help with nitrates, but no sump lights and grow lots of calerpa in the main tank. The fish I mention would love that and I have seen some very nice tanks like that.

[Skimmerking]

WEll there you have it. quick questions and answers, and apprecaite all that is said. And i will talk to you tonight there DAD. And i guess i'm getting closerto startingthe 280 gal tank and just a bit nerous in getting it going again..

thanks for all the help...