Another Newb with another Newb question.

[xnmuller]

So I have been following a few tank journals here and everyone seems so nice, I thought I would ask you all for a little "what would you do?" I have a 135 gallon set up with 50 gallon sump and about 125 lbs of rock. I run a Vertex IN-280 in-sump skimmer. The tank has been cycling for almost 4 weeks now and while I love just staring at the rocks and finding the two brittle stars who hitch a ride from the LFS, my wife keeps asking; "when are we gonna put some fish in that puddle?"

What I was wondering is what should I add first and did you have any suggestions on species etc;
1 - a display type fish (nice to look at but does no maintenance)
2 - a working type fish (something that will help maintain the quality of the environment)
3 - start with a small cleaning crew

Eventually I would like to build a mixed reef display.

[ALang]

What an incredibly nice sized tank to start with. Green with envy!!
First off, welcome to Canreef.
Then, make sure that your tank has fully cycled first before even contemplating lifestock!
Then, with your size tank, you need to decide what do you want to have: fish-only? large-polyped corals? Soft corals? or eventually a full-blown reef with small polyped stoney corals??
Sure you can give your fish away later, you still might have to, sometimes your fish just decides to misbehave and nibble on a clam or two. But you don't want a big wrasse/angel that may devour all your ohter stuff, etc...
Let us know what you may want to have as in the above questions, and then you should either get a couple of good books (you can borrow) to get you started.
What exciting times. Wish I was in your shoes, Nice skimmer, too.

[Lance]

Make up a list of the fish you want to keep, then research them to make sure they are compatible. When you start stocking the tank, introduce the more timid species first: working up to the more aggressive species last. And most important: GO SLOW! Let each new fish get fully acclimated to his new home. Have fun!

[xnmuller]

Originally Posted by ALang

What an incredibly nice sized tank to start with. Green with envy!!
First off, welcome to Canreef.
Then, make sure that your tank has fully cycled first before even contemplating lifestock!
Then, with your size tank, you need to decide what do you want to have: fish-only? large-polyped corals? Soft corals? or eventually a full-blown reef with small polyped stoney corals??
Sure you can give your fish away later, you still might have to, sometimes your fish just decides to misbehave and nibble on a clam or two. But you don't want a big wrasse/angel that may devour all your ohter stuff, etc...
Let us know what you may want to have as in the above questions, and then you should either get a couple of good books (you can borrow) to get you started.
What exciting times. Wish I was in your shoes, Nice skimmer, too.

Thanks for the replies, it really helps to get a cohesive thought process going about what comes next.

Currently I am waiting for the cycle to complete, and each test of the water parameters is dropping in ammonia and so on. So once the readings are correct and stable I will be adding the livestock. As for the type of tank I was thinking FOWLR to start then moving on to some of the "easier" corals. I heard tell there are some heartier softies and zoos. Dwarf angels will most likely be the center piece fish as they are the wife's favorite (concessions had to be made hehe).

The wish list looks something like this (and yes I think there is more here than the tank can handle so I'll have to shorten it at some point). Also I have not yet completed all my research to see if there are any incompatible pairings in this wish list.

2 x clown
1 x coral beauty angel
1 x flame angel
1 x lemon peel angel
1 x yellow tang
1 x blue tang
1 x foxface lo
2 x bartlett's anthias
1 x kaudern's cardinal
3 x green chromis
1 x a goby type
2 x bicolour dotty back


But what I really want to know is do the cleaning crew go in first or the most timid fish on my wishlist.

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

2 x clown
1 x coral beauty angel
1 x flame angel
1 x lemon peel angel
1 x yellow tang
1 x blue tang
1 x foxface lo
2 x bartlett's anthias
1 x kaudern's cardinal
3 x green chromis
1 x a goby type
2 x bicolour dotty back


But what I really want to know is do the cleaning crew go in first or the most timid fish on my wishlist.

Lose the 3xChromis and your list looks good. I'd double check the angels in consideration of any corals you are hoping to keep.

Cleanup crews need to eat too. If there is no algea in the tank, it might be a little to early. Also, you don't need to add them all at once. If you buy too many too quickly, they will exhaust their food source and eat each other.

I would start with a small clean up crew, then some fish, then some more clean up crew as the tank matures.

Personally, I'd start with the clowns.

- Brad

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

But what I really want to know is do the cleaning crew go in first or the most timid fish on my wishlist.

It's never too early to add the cleaning crew (mostly), and would not figure into the fish stocking order.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

Thanks for the replies, it really helps to get a cohesive thought process going about what comes next.

Currently I am waiting for the cycle to complete, and each test of the water parameters is dropping in ammonia and so on. So once the readings are correct and stable I will be adding the livestock. As for the type of tank I was thinking FOWLR to start then moving on to some of the "easier" corals. I heard tell there are some heartier softies and zoos. Dwarf angels will most likely be the center piece fish as they are the wife's favorite (concessions had to be made hehe).

The wish list looks something like this (and yes I think there is more here than the tank can handle so I'll have to shorten it at some point). Also I have not yet completed all my research to see if there are any incompatible pairings in this wish list.

2 x clown
1 x coral beauty angel
1 x flame angel
1 x lemon peel angel
1 x yellow tang
1 x blue tang
1 x foxface lo
2 x bartlett's anthias
1 x kaudern's cardinal
3 x green chromis
1 x a goby type
2 x bicolour dotty back


But what I really want to know is do the cleaning crew go in first or the most timid fish on my wishlist.

i wouldnt bother with angels if your gonna have coral they are dead hit or miss but its your call......the lemonpeel is the one id be worried about most.ive always added a clean up crew first like some snails and shrimp but isnt "necessary".your list isnt all that huge and over time your sytem could handle it if you set it up correctly.

remember where your tank is just finishing its cycle its very very very important not to add to many at once.if i were you id start with the 3 green chromis then wait a bit add another and let it settle for a bit.if you throw too much into fast it throws your tank off balance and the bio load will be too much.

add your yellow tang off that list last i find them to be bullys when they own the tank or theres few fish around same with the foxface they are community fish but territorial none the less.

[xnmuller]

Wow, thanks for the response. So it sounds like I should build my cleaning crew as the bio-load increases over time. I will probably start with a couple of clowns (my daughter absolutely loves "Nemo") once the cycle is complete and the tank is ready then go from there. I still have some research planned about the angels and compatibility, but I don't plan on adding more then 2 fish a month and revelling in the anticipation of my next purchase.

Thanks again for all your advice. As for types of corals, I'll do my best to keep them to a destructive minimum, but I don't anticipate my first coral for about a year or so. I guess we'll see where this hobby will take me.

[xnmuller]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

Lose the 3xChromis and your list looks good. I'd double check the angels in consideration of any corals you are hoping to keep.

- Brad

Just curious why lose the chromis? Is this a personal preference or are there other reasons?

[ponokareefer]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

Just curious why lose the chromis? Is this a personal preference or are there other reasons?

Three chromis over time will typically become 1. They are quite aggressive towards each other as they age. This process may take a year or 2 depending on the chromis.

I would also be very cautious about dwarf angels. I had 3 and after a few months, regretted getting them. They were extremely beautiful, but attacked corals randomly. I would consider going with wrasse's instead if you get some type of canopy to prevent jumping.