adding first fish to first tank - newbie

[Sunken]

Hello, setting up my very first reef tank. My first post. I'm learning as I go. What you're looking at here is a 24 gallon AOI from Reef Casa, with dry rock and live sand (ATO installed). Used RODI water and salinity is at 1.025. The plan is to add about 6 nano suitable fish, clean-up crew, soft corals and perhaps LPS. I started the nitrogen cycle exactly 4 weeks ago by adding live bacteria and ammonium chloride. Ammonia and Nitrite levels are currently at 0. Nitrate using the Salifert test is approximately 25 mg/l. I assume this means the cycle is complete but I should do a water change to bring down the Nitrate levels before adding fish, ya? Looking to start with 2 Clownfish as soon as I feel the environment is safe. A week after that start the clean-up crew. I welcome any advice. Thank you.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Yes the cycle is complete and I personally wouldn’t push more than 4-5 fish in that sized tank!

 

[Petcrazyson]

I really like your rock scape. Tons of hiding places and spots for coral.

 

[NCsalt]

I really like your rock scape. Tons of hiding places and spots for coral.

Definitely liking the aquascape.

 

[Sunken]

Yes the cycle is complete and I personally wouldn’t push more than 4-5 fish in that sized tank!

Yes the cycle is complete and I personally wouldn’t push more than 4-5 fish in that sized t

With my nitrate sitting at 25 PPM do you think I'm okay to add 2 clowns? The internet is so full of conflicting advice, it's frustrating. Many say Clowns are hardy and can easily handle nitrate levels in that range or do you recommend I do a water change before adding them with the goal of bringing levels down to 5-10 PPM? Any idea what % change would be needed to get down to those levels? Or am I good just to add them as is and start doing 10% water change a week after? Thanks!

 

[Sunken]

With my nitrate sitting at 25 PPM do you think I'm okay to add 2 clowns? The internet is so full of conflicting advice, it's frustrating. Many say Clowns are hardy and can easily handle nitrate levels in that range or do you recommend I do a water change before adding them with the goal of bringing levels down to 5-10 PPM? Any idea what % change would be needed to get down to those levels? Or am I good just to add them as is and start doing 10% water change a week after? Thanks!

or is a smarter move to start with a small clean-up crew like a Hermit crab or Shrimp before adding Clowns?

 

[AydenLincoln]

With my nitrate sitting at 25 PPM do you think I'm okay to add 2 clowns? The internet is so full of conflicting advice, it's frustrating. Many say Clowns are hardy and can easily handle nitrate levels in that range or do you recommend I do a water change before adding them with the goal of bringing levels down to 5-10 PPM? Any idea what % change would be needed to get down to those levels? Or am I good just to add them as is and start doing 10% water change a week after? Thanks!

Yes clowns are hardy and yes you can add it! I have a very high nutrient tank. Fish are not as sensitive to nutrients it’s corals and other sensitive inverts that are.