Stocking my Tank

[HaleMoana]

I am getting close to finishing my cycle... My Ammonia has been zero for a while now and my Trites have fallen over the past few days down to 1ppm now, so I know that I am getting close. Probably a couple more weeks, but I am starting to think about stocking. I do not intend to overload with a huge bioload at once, but instead rather slowly stock and acclimate.

Having said all that... In what order is best to stock? Here is what I am thinking...

Small Clean-up crew first
mated pair of A. Percula's
more clean-up crew
tiny hippos

If I put my mated pair of clowns in early, will they dominate my tank and terrorize any other fish that I try to add later? Someone once told me to add clowns last.

What do you think? thanks

 

[Ding2daDong]

You are on the right track. You don't have to add the percula clownfish last. They usually are friendly fish but if you were to add a pair of maroon clownfish they can get very dominant.

Stick to your initial track. Your doing great.

-Matthew

 

[danmartis]

show some pictures )

 

[crvz]

Don't do hippo tangs if it's the 75. Even if tiny, theyre way too active for that size tank. I got one at about 3/4" for my 150, and I got rid of it by the time it was 5" (barely 18 months later), as it was terrorizing the rest of the tank for food all the time. It was no fun to catch, either. So for your own sanity do yourself a favor, avoid the hippos! If you want a tang, stick with the kole or another Ctenochaetus genus.

 

[HaleMoana]

Definitely Perc's... no marroon's. So, that is good to know.

I have been meaning to start a thread with pics... I have been taking pics along the way from day 1... I just haven't started a thread yet... stand by.

 

[HaleMoana]

Yeah, I knew that the 75 was too small for hippos but I figured that I can start with tiny's and then sell them back to my LFS when they get too large. But, 18 months... wow.

and you make a good point about terrorizing other fish for food. Shucks... those tiny's are so awesome!!!

 

[Aquarist007]

you might check on this awesome thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1445390

 

[HaleMoana]

^Good stuff... thanks for the suggestion. I just went there.

 

[tspors]

JUst a suggestion I would start with Clean up Crew first then wait 2 weeks before starting fish. I went 2 months with nothing but rock then clean up crew for a couple weeks or so. I did not add any fish for 3 months from start up. Moderation it is a long term hobby.