Start with fish and slowly move into corals?

[FTReef]

My experience has only been with marine fish from my younger days. In setting up my new tank is there any downside to filling a tank with fish and all the animals I'd like to keep then move into populating with corals?

The setup I'm installing will be fully capable of keeping corals but I figure it's probably good to get some experience with successfully keeping the right environment for corals before their lives depend on my ability to manage a more complicated ecosystem.

Does this sequence of fish first then bring in corals potentially create any problems that I haven't considered?

 

[Zionas]

Following, but IMO perfectly fine to start with some soft corals.

 

[CrazeUK]

It is perfectly fine.
Although.. I would consider working the other way. Fish bring a heavy bio load with them, and corals are sensitive to it.

I would probably with some soft corals first with a shrimp or two.

That way you'll get used to stable parameters.

I would then add fish a single one at a time over a few months to let the filters and rock catch up.

Also, it will be easier to scape and move the set up.

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[jeremy007]

Fish first is my vote. Many add more and more fish after time which can throw the system out of balance. Having the fish first will determine your bio load. If you need a coral then softies are a good start.