New tank no fish?

[craazybelly]

Hello,

I'm currently cycling a new tank with dry rock & I would like to know if it's a good idea to add corals before fish when I get my water at a good level?
I'm not very experienced and would like some opinions/Suggestions.

Tank size is 170gl
Thanks!

 

[mcgyvr]

"Not very experienced" isn't a good match to corals..
Typically a new tank goes through ugly stages and often shifts in parameters that corals may not do well with..
I would hold off on corals for the first 6 months at least until you are sure you can maintain a stable system.

 

[outssider]

corals love fish poo.....yum....yum...:love2:

 

[Sk8r]

Go for inverts in your first stage. When you get past the green-hairy stage and can maintain clear glass, and low nitrates, it is possible to go with corals before fish, or with one or two fishes, but sort of like a new natural body of water, start with the lower life first and work your way up. The inverts will take care of some waste, but you will also have to feed them a little; and that will help your sandbed mature.

 

[MondoBongo]

i would agree with inverts first.

however, if you're really hot to try corals, you could probably get some softies that would do just fine. i had a kenya tree make it through the cycle of my first tank. normal mushrooms, colt, kenya tree, etc, all could be worth a try if you really want to.