What's the difference between reef and fish only?

[Grumpy Grouper]

Hello, I'm cruious to know the difference between a reef and a fish only aquarium. I know that reef systems have live rock and sand, but does that mean that I could have clownfish with no Anemone? <~ I know, I know...
I need further explanation please.

 

[aresgod]

the difference is the compatability with all the creatures on a reef, there a crabs, shrimp, worms, pods, corals, ect...that are sensitive to certain "Fish only" fish, i.e. these fish tend to pick/eat/disturb reef inhabitants and there fore are not reef safe. Reef safe fish do not bother for the most part the inhabitants of the reef aquarium. Yes you can have clown fish with out a anemone sybiotic host, should not be a problem at all, infact some clowns wont even take to an anemone if you try

 

[dbacksrat]

fish only is usually having a larger tank with more aggressive fish that would not be safe in a reef system (like groupers, larger angels, larger triggers, puffers, lions, eels, etc)
reef systems contain a few select "reef safe" fish, usually some inverts (hermit crabs, shrimp, snails, etc), and coral

 

[Grumpy Grouper]

Thanks People, So I will use dead sand and ornaments (rocks etc...) The same filteration for reef, and different lighting? I was thinking of....A Grouper, Lionfish, and an eel ..Does that sound OK?

 

[S.Reef]

Umm...for a fish only you can use live sand and rock. Some of the organisms may be consumed by the fish, but it will be beneficial to have it. For a grouper lionfish and eel, make sure the tank is at least 50+gallons depending on the species.

 

[DSK]

go with a fowlr tank 1st. some corals have to have very good water quality.

 

[dbacksrat]

for my first tank, i'm smoothly transitioning from FOWLR to reef--once you get comfortable with what you're doing and are doing it right, then you should have no problem with a reef

 

[Grumpy Grouper]

Thanks Everybody!

Thanks for the info people. I'm Going For It!!!

 

[dbacksrat]

going for what? FOWLR or reef?

 

[Grumpy Grouper]

Hi dbacksrat

Going for FOWLR. (fish only with live rock?) <~ Pretty sure that's what you guys mean. Thanks again dbacksrat for putting up with my newbieness.......

 

[dbacksrat]

hey i was once there--and may still be there to some degree

 

[zanoshano]

The general difference is that REEF aquariums contain corals, anenomies, invertabrates, etc. Fish only FOWLR (fish only with liverock) only have fish and live rock.