help on chosing next animal

[TekCat]

I am in desperate need of your experise to decide on what's next.
Current setup:
Tank: 55G tank + 10G sump, 4" DSB, ~3 months old, ~50x water flow, SG 1.026, pH 8.4.
Fauna: 2 False Percs, Serpent star, Pepp shrimp, Skunk Shrimp, Emerald Crab, small BTA, small frag of ricordea, and bunch of various snails, worms, pods, etc...

Should I try to SPS coral (acropora or something)? or wait and get another fish instead?

If fish, then what would be good second fish addition with the folowing requirements in mind: definately reef safe, DSB safe (don't want it to prey on sand bed fauna), not agressive (so I can add more fish if I want to), less likely to jump out (no lid on tank).

I am thinking about LMB, but I hear that they are "jumpers"... is it true? Also, I hear that they are very resistant to ich, but could be carriers themselves. Again, true or false?

Let me know what you think... Thanks

 

[Amphiprion]

What are your current water conditions? It is generally recognized that older tanks do better with sps--for many reasons. You could possibly try a piece of the hardier types, like Montipora, Pocillopora, or Pavona. There are others, but these seem to be the most forgiving, IME. If they do well, then try an Acropora. If not, give the tank more time, make sure parameters are in check, and try again.

 

[TekCat]

Water tests -
SG: 1.026
pH: 8.4
Temp: 82F
Ca: 350ppm
Alk: 9.5dKH
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 0.5ppm

 

[Amphiprion]

Get your calcium up a bit and give it a try.

 

[TekCat]

I am trying to get it up for the past 2 month.. after huge calcium precip that dunked my level to 195 ppm. I am doing 10% WC weekly and ocasionally dosing some kalk.

 

[cato]

What brand salt do you use?

 

[TekCat]

Instant Ocean

 

[LekicINC]

a cool fish would be a fiary wrasse or a firefish.

 

[TekCat]

fiary wrasse or firefish... hm.. are they DSB safe?
-edit-
won't wrasse feed on bristle worms and other DSB-life?

 

[cato]

Tough call. There's so much cool stuff out there. I myself am starting to get addicted to corals. The only other fish I really want is a mandarin but it's way to soon for a new tank. So, just have to wait it out.:smokin:

 

[TekCat]

Agreed, mandarins are cool, but I'd hate spending every 2 weeks $25 on a bottle of pods.

 

[MBuck]

I say go for a LB, I have had mine for over four months, he was in a 20g L, and never once even thought about jumping.....make sure he has alot of hiding places in the rock. He actually sleeps at the top of my 58g cube, on a piece of LR. I am attaching a blurry pic. He has ALOT of personality, and doesn't bother any of the new additions to the tank. They are algae eaters, but he eagerly eats my spectrum pellets too...
Good Luck!
I am sure you will enjoy one if you get it. They are not that colorful, brown and white, but they do change shades depending on where they are in the tank, and their personality makes up for lack of color! "Lenny" is FAT!

 

[Scuba_Steve]

lmb all the way. mine never jumped, but he did take 2 rides down the overflow before i blocked it. i think he liked it cause he was fine for like 2 months then once he found it, it happened 2 days in a row.

 

[PatMayo]

I would not try corals at this time. Your tank is not stable enough. If you read back through your posts you will see that you are still having issues. I would get nothing and concentrate on getting your nitrates to zero, getting your calcium up a little or at least keeping it very steady.

I personally think you are being too impatient. (Not trying to be a pain, just calling it as I see it.)

Regards,

Pat

 

[TekCat]

Yep, impatient I am please keep telling me these things, I really appreciate (sp) it!