Coral Question

[Stan O.]

I am in the research stage of getting together a mixed reef. I was wondering what to add first and how long after the cycle to add the coral.

I plan on a standard 29 gallon display (30X12X18), Eshopps Adv 100 sump (24X12X16), Eshopps PSK 150 Protein Skimmer (the largest one that will fit in the skimmer comparment of the sump) with the Eshopps 800 gph overflow box. I will have a Closed loop powered by a Mag drive 7. About 30 pounds of LR and 20 pounds of LS. I am looking at getting a 4 or 6 bulb 24" T5 Light.

The Corals my wife and I want in our reef are:
Atomic Torch (Euphyllia glabrescens)
Green Frogspawn (Euphyllia paradivisa)
Bicolor Hammer (Euphyllia ancora)
Maze Brain (Platygyra sp.)
Blue Green Tenuis Acropora (Acropors sp.)
Dinosaur Egg Montipora (Montipora sp.)
Green polyp Pink Stylophora (Stylophora sp.)
Pink Prostrata Acropora (Acropora prostrata)
Vivid Blue Tort Acropora (Acropora tortuosa)
Vivid Tricolor Acropora (Acropora sp.)
Strawberry Shortcke Acropora (Acropora microlados)
Clove polyps (Clavularia sp.) - two different varieties
Zoanthids (Zoanthus sp.) - several different varieties

We do not want to over run our aquarium with polyps and zoas.

We are diligent about water changes and maintenance with our freshwater aquariums. On the reef we are planning on 3 gallons a week or about 10 percent. We will be using dosing pumps to keep the water parameters stable if need be. There will be a refugium in the sump to grow micro algae and pods.

The Lighting is can be changed.

 

[Lenny_S]

When you say "mixed reef" do you mean fish and corals or just a mix of different coral families? If you will keep some amount of fish it would be best to wait until you see the nitrates start to drop before you start adding fish. Up until you see the nitrates start to drop keep the lights off in the display tank. Then add all the fish you plan to keep a little at a time (like 1 a week) before you add any coral. You may go through an algae bloom during this time. Continue to keep the lighting minimal until you see the nitrates go way down or even disappear. When adding corals research the light requirements of each and add theme from lowest light to highest light order. It will make it less stressful on them overall to photo acclimate them that way. Hope this helps.

 

[Tahoe61]

If able look into the ATI T5 fixtures.

I would start with the Euphyllias first, next cloves (choose wisely, some common cloves types can become invasive), next Zoanthids. Lastly the sps once the chemistry has stabilized.

Excellent job on research.

A water change twice monthly is fine if you make sensible live stock choices.

Welcome.

 

[Stan O.]

I am planning on adding fish and inverts as well. I do my research and know what I want. I just didn't know what order to add them. I plan on a fishless cycle with ammonia to kick off the cycle and maintain it about 4 ppm until the cycle completes. then I plan on adding the fish.
My List of fish:

1 - Pearly Jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons)
1 - Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
1 - Chalk Bass (Serranus tortugarum)
1 - Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas)
1 - Cherub Angel (Centropyge argi)
1 - Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus)
2 - Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

My List of Inverts:

1 - Blue Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus tenuirostris)
1 - Bullseye Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus soror)
2 - Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinesis)
2 - Fire Shrimp (Lysmta debelius)
1 - Gold Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus zanzibaricus)
2 - Red Banded Pistol Shrimp (Ipheus randalli)
5 - Sexy Shrimp (Thor Amboinensis)
4 - Colored Dwarf Feather Duster (Bispira sp.)

Clove polyps (Clavularia sp.) - two different varieties

These are the Neon Clove polyps and the Orange Sunflower Clove Polyps are these considered invasive?

does this sound like it will workout to be an ok mixed reef?

 

[inetjnky]

That's a lot of shrimp for such a small tank. I've been told no more then one, maybe two shrimp for a tank that size as they're territorial and may fight one another.

 

[Stan O.]

That's a lot of shrimp for such a small tank. I've been told no more then one, maybe two shrimp for a tank that size as they're territorial and may fight one another.

Ok I am still researching that is why I am posting my possible life stock here before I add anything to the aquarium. I know the sexy shrimp should be kept in a group of 3 or more.

 

[Napa Reefer]

Following...

 

[Tahoe61]

I am planning on adding fish and inverts as well. I do my research and know what I want. I just didn't know what order to add them. I plan on a fishless cycle with ammonia to kick off the cycle and maintain it about 4 ppm until the cycle completes. then I plan on adding the fish.
My List of fish:

1 - Pearly Jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) Not a good candidate for a small tank, will starve.
1 - Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
1 - Chalk Bass (Serranus tortugarum)
1 - Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas)
1 - Cherub Angel (Centropyge argi) Can become very aggressive in small tanks, can become a coral nipper.
1 - Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus) Large adults will eat shrimp, small shrimp types like Sexy.
2 - Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

My List of Inverts:

1 - Blue Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus tenuirostris)
1 - Bullseye Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus soror) One Pistol Shrimp type only in that size of a tank.
2 - Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinesis)
2 - Fire Shrimp (Lysmta debelius)
1 - Gold Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus zanzibaricus)
2 - Red Banded Pistol Shrimp (Ipheus randalli)
5 - Sexy Shrimp (Thor Amboinensis)
4 - Colored Dwarf Feather Duster (Bispira sp.)


These are the Neon Clove polyps and the Orange Sunflower Clove Polyps are these considered invasive? Either is an excellent choice.

does this sound like it will workout to be an ok mixed reef?

Please see comments above. Over all the list just needs some modifying. Definitely no to the Pearly Jaw fish, too small a tank and this fish will continuously dump sand all over your corals. Add no more than two fish every two weeks to the system for a max of 4 fish. The clowns will get large. I have actually had all those fish types in a 28 gallon at one time or another.