Order

[sdelsol15]

ok so im getting my tank in a couple of weeks almost got my monet saved up so in what order should i put things in i mean i know live rock and sand go first but planning on putting in zoanthrids maybe a mushroom volitan liongfish foxface and a australian harlequin tusk fish in which order should i place the fish and zoanthrids or the order doesnt really

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[Reef Bass]

I would place sand, rock, coral and then fish in that order, but I don't think it really matters. Some fish accept their environment when placed in it but then will be aggressive towards new introductions.

Those are some nice fish. I hope it's a pretty big tank you're putting them in.

 

[sdelsol15]

its actually a 150 gallon tank im getting and i really just want zoanthrids of all different colors for my tank i cant wait every day that passes i get even more excited

 

[tate1]

Alway place the most aggressive fish in last. I learned this the hard way. I made the mistake of putting my purple tang is 1st then watched him whip up on my yellow tang and a few other ones. However, I was lucky in that I never lost one.

 

[sdelsol15]

i have actually heard to place the lion in first and what about the zoanthrids should i place them in first or doesnt matter

 

[MUCHO REEF]

ok so im getting my tank in a couple of weeks almost got my monet saved up so in what order should i put things in i mean i know live rock and sand go first but planning on putting in zoanthrids maybe a mushroom volitan liongfish foxface and a australian harlequin tusk fish in which order should i place the fish and zoanthrids or the order doesnt really

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I agree with all the replies above, but there's an even more pressing concern I would have.

1. Is this a "new" NEW tank, or are you transferring anything from an existing system? If not, "NEW TANK SYNDROME" will be my concern.

2. If not, your system will be very unstable as you will have to first cycle the tank. Ammonia, Trates and Trites will be unstable. If you are cycling with all new make up water, I wouldn't aggressively go adding anything but inexpensive damsels etc.

3. What type of substrate are you using?

4. What type of salt?

5. Tap or RO water?

6. I would strongly advise asking a local reefer or a LFS for some live sand to add to the top layer of your new system to help seed it.

7. I would also ask a local reefer or store for some aged water from their tank. Make sure you get it from a mature system and from someone who truly takes care of their system. This aged water will do wonders for your new system. If not, you will have a tank will have little or no bacteria to accommodate your bioload if you are going to load your system up prematurely. I would really urge you to proceed as slow as possible. Don't rush your system, many have regretted doing so in the past.

There are tons more that I'm concerned with, but I think I'm going overboard.

8. Not trying to sound smart mouth or anything like that, but to you have any reference books on hand?


I feel these issues are far more important at this stage. The initial set up plays a vital role in how the entire system will fare. Please take no offense to anything I've said as I meant it in good faith to help, not hurt. Good luck.


Mucho Reef

 

[sdelsol15]

no definetly agree wit you its a new tank i know im going to let it mature first and get it wit damsels you know the whole normal process put live sand and live rock let it sit for a while then put damsels then the whole other process

 

[Friday Night]

Remember the bigger the tank the more room for error.. yet i hope you have none :beer: *knocks on wood*

 

[sdelsol15]

its a 150 gallon nothing to big cant fit any bigger in my room lol filling up the little space i have wit a 150 gallon

 

[MikeandNicole]

I may be going against the grain here, but I have always been a fish first corals second type of person. My reasoning is corals don't add any significant bioload to your system. If you just have corals in your tank for some time everything will look great because there is nothing pumping out ammonia/nitrites/nitrates. Then you add fish, and some of the fish you have on your list have big bioloads, and if your tank is not ready to handle that you can have kill your corals.

If you add the fish first, then you know what your system can handle and then be able to add corals safely knowing your system is ready to go. Just my opinion.

 

[sdelsol15]

thanks sounds good to me dont know if its against grain but thinking of going that route