What to add first?

[StartrTank]

I'm nearing the end of my cycle. My levels are good except for my Alk, which is high due to an earlier mistake I made with a pH buffer. So I plan on monitoring the levels for the rest of the week; as long as everything else stays where it is I'll do a water change at the end of the week to get my alk down. I already have part of my clean up crew in the tank (thanks to my lfs who donated 3 turbo snails, some other kind of snail and a ton of mini brittle starfish. All came in on my LR). I do plan on adding at least one peppermint shrimp.

So what I was wondering about was this... regarding fish/coral... when starting a new tank, should one be added to "establish" the tank first? Should I put in some fish by themselves for now and then begin to add coral? Begin with coral? Or should I add some fish and coral together?

Or does it not matter in the least bit?

 

[GMay]

Fish put a heavier demand on the tank than corals do in that you are feeding them. Corals are a lighter bioload and will stress the tank less. Having said all that, I would add a fish or two and see how they do for a couple of weeks. This will help you determine how your tank is processing the added nitrogen and other elements from the food. This will then guide you how to go further and what to add next.

I am not sure why you added something to buffer the pH, but I wouldn't do that as it is one of the things you can do to really mess up your tank chemistry. If you have a falling alk you can add NaCO3, preferable, or Na2CO3.

Also it would be helpful to know more about your tank water chemistry and what your goal is for your tank when ask for recommendations.

 

[StartrTank]

Yes, the pH buffer was a mistake pointed out to me by a fellow member, a mistake I won't be making again. Being my only experience thus far has been freshwater, I made the mistake of focusing too much on my pH. I was advised to ignore my pH durning cycling and to avoid buffers in general. Advice that was well heard, I ditched the bottle of pH buffer; and I have informed myself better on my sw chemistry.

 

[StartrTank]

Sorry, forgot to add, this was as of yesterday:

Temp: 78F
Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: < .25 ppm
Nitrate: @ 2 ppm
KH: 14
Ca: 380

I have a 55 gallon Hex tank w/ 20 gallon sump. @ 60 lbs LR w/ @ 1" sandbed.
My plan as of now (though it may change) is:

2 Ocellaris or Purcula Clownfish
1 Purple Firfish
3 Blue/Green Chromis
1 Royal Gramma

Then in 6-12months my wife wants to add a Mandarinfish

Corals I'm thinking mushroom, zoas, a brain and eventually a RBTA for the clowns.

 

[m0nkie]

you can definitely start adding the mushroom and Zoas if your nitrate remains at this level. the brain and RBTA should wait until your tank is about 6 months old.. as for the mandarin, only get it when have a stable pod population

your peppermint shrimp will hide all day. I suggest 2 skunk cleaner shrimp. They are more fun to watch and won't hide all day. Shrimps are better in pairs

I have added around 8 easy corals already. My fish are still in QT tank. I have a huge CUC and shrimps. Just make sure you feed the CUC/corals as needed.

 

[shesacharmer]

Three Chromis will become One Chromis...they don't play well together over time. A grown Clownfish pair will police an entire 20 gallon area in your tank and they drive off intruders so don't overstock. Sounds like you are off to a good start!

 

[Heathcoot]

Crabs and shrimp are not bad if u have algea snails and for a fish a Clown or chromis usually fare well

 

[skizzard22]

I would put clean up crew in place first. Snails, shrimp, and crabs. Fun to watch and light enough bio load without having to worry about specifics of corals. Definitely be selective with what you buy and get what you want.

 

[StartrTank]

@ shesacharmer - see that's what I thought too. But when I was reading the description for the blue/green chromis on vividaquarium it stated:

"Try groups of 3-7 in smaller aquariums, between 30 to 90 gallons, and groups of 12 or more Blue Green Chromis in larger display aquariums. "

"This is a very hardy fish that seeks safety in large groups. In the wild, large schools of chromis cruise across the reef together looking for food and looking out for each other. In the aquarium, they seem to do much better when surrounded by a few good friends. "

So should I not keep more than one in my tank?

 

[shesacharmer]

They school as juveniles StartrTank and then they pair up and eventually winnow themselves down to the sole survivor. Unfortunate, I know.

 

[StartrTank]

agh, okay, looks like they're out then. Thank you.

 

[skizzard22]

I have almost the typical story with Chromis. I bought 5 originally thinking that may a big enough number. 3 eventually died, though the two I have left are perfectly content. Not sure if they are a pair or just tolerate each other. I wouldn't recommend just buying two, just goes to show you how random it can be.

 

[Sk8r]

My sig line has good params for lps stony coral, fish, softies, etc. Get it there, add snails and micro-hermits for 4 weeks while you quarantine your first fish, and they will break in the sandbed.

 

[StartrTank]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My parameters have been good. For the past 3 days I've had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 2 ppm natrates. Ca is a little low at 380 and KH is a bit high. I'll be doing a water change at the end of the week to bring my KH down. The snails all seem to be doing well so I'll keep an eye on them and my parameters and if all are good after my water change I'll add my cleaner shrimp and begin qt of a fish or two.

 

[Fish Biscuit]

+1 start with your CUC first. I let my tanks go 4 weeks with CUC & corals only so the tank has time to get situated for the first fish.

You're going to have a hard time keeping a mandarin fed even after letting the tank mature for a year. Might want to think about adding a fuge now so you're loaded with enough pods when the time comes for one.

 

[Brinkfish312]

Thanks from me as well, I was also wondering which should be placed first; fish or corals. Hopefully we'll start out cycling next weekend so we have some time to think about it. Heh