When to add more fish

[imrinkrat]

Typically how long does it take for you to notice any changes in water params after adding the 1st fish. I have a recently cycled 75gal, 100lbs LR, 40lbs crushed coral, 40lbs Live Sand, and added a juvenile lionfish a few days ago.

1. With a small fish in a 75gal, would I notice any changes?
2. How long should I wait to notice any changes so I know when it would be safe to add a 2nd fish?
3. Would you use the same process and timing for adding future fish?

Thanks

 

[Nabob89]

Well if your tank's cycle is completly over, then you may not see a huge spike in params by adding the fish, but that may have alot to do with feeding, etc. Typically you shouldn't add a fish as the first critter in the tank (if that is the first thing you added)....its a better idea to slowly add a cleanup crew to deal with algae blooms (which will definetly happen) after the cycle. Of course I don't know how long yours has been setup/whats in there, but a good idea may be to hold off on fish for now, and instead focus on getting a good cleanup crew and keeping stable params. Once you've got that down, I'd go for a hardy/cheap fish like a damsel. Good luck!
Matt

 

[imrinkrat]

This is going to be a fish only tank, Lionfish, Triggers, Angels, Tangs... along those lines and the next fish I want to add is a Trigger which would eat any member of a cuc that the lion wouldnt pick off before hand. Unless anybody knows of any members of a cuc that could survive amongst the more aggresive fish?

 

[papagimp]

75g tank = 48" x 18" now go look at how big some lionfish, triggers, angles, and tangs get and may wanna re-think your plan for the tank.

 

[loosecannon]

hi i have all most same set up . no cuc with that fish! feed your lionfish 2 or 3 times , than test. tangs eat algae, Zebrasoma flavescens, and yellow eyed kole tang are good. the Z. flavescens the yellow tang is tuffer. to play it safe 4 weeks after each fish test for ammonia and nitrite if 0 your good to go.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10212490#post10212490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by papagimp
75g tank = 48" x 18" now go look at how big some lionfish, triggers, angles, and tangs get and may wanna re-think your plan for the tank.

Most fishes that grow to over 4 1/2" will be a bad choice. Do some study there some great non-reef Wrasses, pygme angels, and many other fish that will still turn heads. There are many reef compatables too.

 

[imrinkrat]

Sorry, I should be more specific, I dont plan on overloading the tank with multiples of the fish I listed earlier, just the options to expand to as the tank progresses. I had planned on at most having 4 fish (depending on the max size of the individual fish I end up choosing). While still following the guidelines of the "inches fish / per gallons".

 

[kkyyllee]

inches fish/per gallon is garbage not a guideline

 

[imrinkrat]

So then what is a guideline?

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

Think about it; a 10"-12" fish will need a much bigger tank than than four 3"-4" fish. Tangs in your size tank are a touchy subject some say you can do one or two smaller bristmouth and sailfin varieties. Triggers are in need of more space as well IMO. This is very much a live and learn hobby with one person saying one thing and another saying something different in the end learning the limitations your methods and equiptment put before you is key to success.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

One more thing, it is said that unlike freshies, salt water fish don't stunt they just suffer from some unmet emotional/physical need and die.