Angels and Protein Skimmer - HELP!

dmatt56

Hello,

Well, after 3 weeks my 54 GAL FOWLR tank now has soft corals! I added ricordia, mushrooms, pulsing xenia, and a couple zoos. I intend to keep only softies in this tank.

My current inhabitants are as follows:

2 clowns
2 PJ cardinals
1 mardarin
1 fire shirmp
a few snails
a few hermits

I would like to add a flame angel and bi-color angel. Both of these are pygmys. If I get them together, would they be compatible? Would they eat my softies?

Also, I need to add a protein skimmer to my setup. What do you recommend for this size tank?

Thanks,

Matt

Pasfur

Matt,

I would not place to Centropyge angelfish species together inside such a small aquarium. The Flame Angel is your best choice for a reef environment, and much less likely to nip at your corals than a BiColor. The Flame is also much easier to keep. In fact, the BiColor Angel is a very difficult species that should only be kept by very advanced marine fishkeepers.

In order to recommend a protein skimmer we need to know details of your setup. Do you have a sump? Is this a 54 gallon bowfront aquarium?

dmatt56

How about a dwarf cherub and the flame? I'd like a good blue, red, and yellow addition. Again, any suggestions?

Yes, it's a 54 corner with a wet dry sump. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

Pasfur

Seriously Matt, I don't think you want to mix any two Centropyge angels in a 54 gallon tank. This is, however, a great excuse to set up another aquarium.-)

I like the ASM Skimmer line. I have an ASM G3 on my 180 and it is performing great. The ASM MiniG or the ASM G1 would be a good choice for your tank. ASM G Series In-Sump Protein Skimmers | Venturi Models | Protein Skimmers | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com
If you get the G1, it can handle almost anything you want to do in that aquarium, or even upgrade to a larger tank size later.

We need to discuss your filtration. WHy are you using a wet dry on a reef tank?

dmatt56

Sounds good. I'll take your advice and only add one pygmy angel. Will Flames pick at mushrooms and ricordia? If so I may pickup the Cherub Angel and look for something red and something yellow. Tangs are too large for my tank - how would a yellow watchman goby fit? Will they burrow in my substrate? What would be a good red and yellow addition?

It's actually a sump filtration system. The water hits the blue/white and carbon screens then it flows to the other chamber. The pump sends it back to the main tank. Is this the proper filtration system for my softies tank? I've head I may not need the blue/white filter.

Thanks,

Matt

Pasfur

Can you post a picture of the sump? I want to make sure we understand completely what you have.

I think the Cherub and Flame angels will both present equal risks in a reef. 75% of the time you are ok, but then some individuals will pick at your corals. This could include mushrooms. I have a Coral Beauty Angel in my 54 reef, and every now and again it nips at the mushrooms.

I think a Yellow Watchman would be a good fit, yes. You might also consider a Royal Gramma, for some purple and yellow color.

conger

or a Midas Blenny for yellow! I'm always pushing the Midas Blenny lol, awesome fish, reef safe, etc... Maybe a Midas Blenny and a firefish goby for a spot of red?

dmatt56

Here is a picture of the sump and my tank. Did I describe it correctly?

Matt

Attached Images

	blue.jpg (64.1 KB, 53 views)
	sump.jpg (53.3 KB, 49 views)

Pasfur

I see a major detritus trap with that blue filter pad. I would remove it immediately. The water entering your sump only needs to be skimmed by a protein skimmer prior to being pumped back into the display. You can just place a protein skimmer directly into the sump, provided you purchase the correct model.

dmatt56

That is what I'm hearing. I should also remove the black carbon filter, right? Can I remove it before I add the protein skimmer?

What protein skimmer would you recommend for this sump unit?

Thanks,

Matt