fish or corals first?

[HartfordWhalers]

I have a 12g Nano with 12 pounds of live rock, and a mini jet 606.
I as wondering if i should add corals or fish first. I know i want 2 perculas and possibly a clown goby, unless there is not enough space. What do you recomend FISH or Coral FIRST?

~Andrew

 

[steve the plumb]

Let the tank run for a while before adding corals.Fish have a higher tolerance.I would let the tank run a bit before adding fish.Is your live rock of good quality?Don't rush let the tank cycle.If you are using good quality live rock it will cycle faster.

 

[HartfordWhalers]

i just bought some Nano LR. I have had live sand in the tank for about 1 week and a half.

 

[twon8]

How long has it been set up? what types of corals are you trying to keep in there? I imagine most do fish, but having only corals for a while would have a lower bioload, and imo help your tank mature quicker. You should probably try just live rock for a while.

 

[steve the plumb]

Take your time don't rush.You will have better results if you establish the tank first.

 

[HartfordWhalers]

The tnak has been set up for 2 weeks. I have to get some new lights. Not sure what kind. I was recomended T5 and 150 watt metal ahlides. I have been researching them. I dont know what size and which one to get. I am trying to do clams and a bunmch of other tuff. So i think the halides but i dunno how much wattage and stuf flike that. Help if you can?

 

[HartfordWhalers]

alright thanks for the help steve!

 

[MrChico]

with 20 gal. or 12 gal. I would go with PC its just cheaper that way, if you were to get into a 55 or bigger then I would start advising against PC... JMO

 

[HartfordWhalers]

12g i have a 20 gallon reef already setup with corallife lights that work fine,I currently have gren star polyps and mushrooms in that tank with a percula and some type of damsel.

 

[HartfordWhalers]

Haven't heard to much of Pc but is there a certain wattage you recomend i should get for my 12 gallon nano

 

[steve the plumb]

mh to much for that size tank.Will give off to much light and heat.If you want mh you can get a 70 or 90 watt mh fixture.I forget the wattage.150 is to much for that small a tank.

 

[HartfordWhalers]

Alright so far im looking to get a MH 70 or 90 watt. Any other suggestions?

 

[fishfanv]

if you're going to get clams you should go mh, but could get away with pc possibly if you get a lower light clam like a derasa. but be warned that a clam will probably outgrow a nano pretty quickly. i have my derasa in a 5.5 & it's starting to outgrow it already even though it was a tiny 1.5" when i got it only a few months ago.

take your time, test your tank daily if possible, to make sure the cycle is complete before adding any fish. take it from me, you don't want to rush it. i did on my first tank (a 12g) & i regretted it when the tank crashed.

 

[HartfordWhalers]

Yeah alright, if it needs more room i have a 20 gallon reef setup about 10 feet away, so there should be no probem with that

 

[steve the plumb]

You can try Aqua Medic mh pendants.I have those very nice.Take a look at marine depot or hello lights they carry them.Like I said either 70 or 90 watts.I can't remember.They come with mounting brackets so you can hang them from the ceiling.I would ask to see if its to much light for a 12 gal.They will tell you.The mh fixture gives off alot of heat.If you want you can get pc lights.Look into it first before buying read up that way you save time and money.

 

[HartfordWhalers]

Thanks once again, I am saving money and learning. I will do research on it on the weekend!

 

[steve the plumb]

you are welcome.

 

[Chihuahua6]

Try the Nano forum too. Everyone there has a small tank and they give lots of good advice based on their experiences.