Stocking questions: How much should I add at once or at all?

[Rueda13]

I would test your waters daily if you are adding things that quick

lawnmower blennies are great for algae

 

[unikqe1]

Yes,

I would have to agree with most everyone, the saltwater world, is one where slow and patience is going to be your reward. Believe me I was in your shoes at one point when I began. No matter what size tank you start with, wether it be a small 30 biocube or a 280 gallon tank, the tank in simple words, will need to be "born" and mature and grow......Most everyone I know at the beginning, will know the tank will go through, the "Blooms" (cyano bacteria, Algea blooms etc) IMO you can start a tank with all the live bacteria, live rock, and all the supposed "Jump start" items to make a complete tank, ready for fish and coral. Not really....I took my time with the cycling of my tank, and believe me it seemed to take forever, which was a good 6 months, slowly in the meantime, watching levels, adding live rock, after being cured, then slowly adding just a couple fish, so on etc...it has been now a good year and a half now, and my corals I have are just amazing....I can add pics if interested...Good luck, and keep us updated on your new adventure! Just IMO patience will pay off for you....and your wallet :0)

 

[Ou8me2]

I thought I was taking it very slow and careful. Is there anything else I do (yes, in addition to waiting a few weeks... )to ensure things don't go south real quick?

Setting up a tank isn't a race and it's about creating stability. I understand the Dr. Tim's but personally and I've done it both ways. It tends to give people false hope that everything will be alright and definitely throw off testing vs doing it naturally and seeing the gradual progression of a tank cycling.

I know the temptation of wanting to see the fruits of your labor and honestly, no one likes looking at an empty tank. I can't say I never made mistakes in this hobby, but I have learned a lot in 21+ years and I still don't know everything and I still learn to this day in this hobby.

If you want to do something research it and ask questions. There are lots of veteran reefers here that are happy to help. Sit back and enjoy the beauty of the tank for now and read post in your idle time. It helps pass the time and is great learning. I personally would be testing the water every day for a couple weeks and you'll learn a lot about your tank and write down the results. Good Luck and Happy Reefing!! :fish1:

 

[rygar]

Being patient sucks. But you just have to deal with this being a very, very slow process. Sorry, it's just the way it is. Hurry thru it and your gonna kill a lot of fish and give up within 6 months.
False hope is right...especially for someone new. You have no idea what to look for yet. I'd say 3 months before adding anything else. A few weeks is nothing.

 

[Weboh]

How will you know if a fish is sick, has a minor bacterial infection you may not see, or an internal parasite? No guarantee you won't buy a sick fish. I've skimped on my QT and been lucky so far. I won't be adding more fish that way, only because as I add more fish the risk I don't get lucky grows.

Also, inch per gallon rule is garbage. If you want to use it, it's inch per 5 gallon for salt water. Also more variable dependent on aggressiveness or food requirements. And filtration. Your two fish will be good for a month or so i would suggest. Get used to feeding, testing the water, water changes. Then look to add more. A couple more at most. And urchins or shrimp or any CUC doesn't really add to the bioload.

Since CUC doesn't really add to the bioload, can I buy, say, a hermit crab or cleaner shrimp now to clean up the bottom of the tank? What should be my timeline on adding everything else? I want a couple feather dusters, cleaner shrimp, some kind of eel, (is there a kind that's easy to keep, can be kept in a 30 gallon tank, and won't eat shrimp?) maybe a six-line wrasse if it won't eat a cleaner shrimp, a tuxedo urchin, some kind of sea star, some kind of kelp, and maybe two or three other fish. I'll spend time researching these before I get them; don't worry. :reading:

 

[Ou8me2]

Since CUC doesn't really add to the bioload, can I buy, say, a hermit crab or cleaner shrimp now to clean up the bottom of the tank? What should be my timeline on adding everything else? I want a couple feather dusters, cleaner shrimp, some kind of eel, (is there a kind that's easy to keep, can be kept in a 30 gallon tank, and won't eat shrimp?) maybe a six-line wrasse if it won't eat a cleaner shrimp, a tuxedo urchin, some kind of sea star, some kind of kelp, and maybe two or three other fish. I'll spend time researching these before I get them; don't worry. :reading:

Skip the eel as they are suicide masters. If there is a crack in the top of the tank, they will find a way to get out and plunge to their own death. When I worked in a petstore many moons ago we had a customer wanting some eels. We quickly found the first 2 dead and yes we had glass tops on them. We ordered a 3rd and we had to put 5lb rocks on all 4 corners to keep the eel in.

If you want to know about CUC then head over to reefcleaners and they have a page that describes what is good for doing different things...etc

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/tank-cleaners

I'd highly recommend them for my CUC critters. I think you should have went with a bigger tank though. :lolspin:

 

[rygar]

Be patient. None of what you listed should go in the tank yet. Especially a clean up crew. If you need one now, then your feeding way too much.

 

[Weboh]

Be patient. None of what you listed should go in the tank yet. Especially a clean up crew. If you need one now, then your feeding way too much.

Right. That's why I asked when you think they should be added.

Skip the eel as they are suicide masters. If there is a crack in the top of the tank, they will find a way to get out and plunge to their own death. When I worked in a petstore many moons ago we had a customer wanting some eels. We quickly found the first 2 dead and yes we had glass tops on them. We ordered a 3rd and we had to put 5lb rocks on all 4 corners to keep the eel in.

I guess I won't get an eel for this tank then. I can't find any that can be in a 30 gallon tank anyway, and I guess this is why.

I think you should have went with a bigger tank though. :lolspin:

I wanted a bigger tank too. But this is what I had and this way I didn't have to buy a larger tank, more live rock, and more live sand. I'd be tankless for a long while yet.