Getting more life into the tank

[Lucas815]

Hi,

I've been running my new system since april, building slowly and steadily.

I started with dry rocks and dry sands, because I have a big fear of getting bad hitchhikers and having to deal with that.

Since then, i've successfully cycled the tank, established a refugium with chaeto and pods, started a cleanup crew, got fish and corals.

So far so good.

Though, i'm feeling like the tank is still feeling very "artificial". There are a bit of algae, but nothing else alive in the rocks.
What started all this reflection is that I want to get a Copperband Butterfly, and it seems like they like to graze all day.
I plan on getting other fish later as well that will probably like to hunt in rocks for stuff to eat, besides algae.

I've been thinking today of getting a live rock at the LFS, and putting it in the tank to jumpstart life in the rocks.

Again, i'm scared because it feels like i'm just rolling the dice, and might get some awful critters along with the good ones.

What to do? Is there a "safe" way of seeding beneficial life without gambling with live rocks?

Thank you.

 

[Waters]

Hi,

I've been running my new system since april, building slowly and steadily.

I started with dry rocks and dry sands, because I have a big fear of getting bad hitchhikers and having to deal with that.

Since then, i've successfully cycled the tank, established a refugium with chaeto and pods, started a cleanup crew, got fish and corals.

So far so good.

Though, i'm feeling like the tank is still feeling very "artificial". There are a bit of algae, but nothing else alive in the rocks.
What started all this reflection is that I want to get a Copperband Butterfly, and it seems like they like to graze all day.
I plan on getting other fish later as well that will probably like to hunt in rocks for stuff to eat, besides algae.

I've been thinking today of getting a live rock at the LFS, and putting it in the tank to jumpstart life in the rocks.

Again, i'm scared because it feels like i'm just rolling the dice, and might get some awful critters along with the good ones.

What to do? Is there a "safe" way of seeding beneficial life without gambling with live rocks?

Thank you.

Once the coral start to fill in, it will change the look of the tank immensely. I personally wouldn't introduce any additional live rock after going through the trouble of keeping it pest free. Add some snails, crabs, shrimp, etc.

 

[Lucas815]

Once the coral start to fill in, it will change the look of the tank immensely. I personally wouldn't introduce any additional live rock after going through the trouble of keeping it pest free. Add some snails, crabs, shrimp, etc.

Are there any must-have critters that I should be introducing individually?
I've read good things about pineapple sponges, and my LFS has tons of them on their rocks.

I'm mostly thinking about stuff that my fish and inverts could eat among the rocks.

 

[Waters]

Are there any must-have critters that I should be introducing individually?
I've read good things about pineapple sponges, and my LFS has tons of them on their rocks.

I'm mostly thinking about stuff that my fish and inverts could eat among the rocks.

Pineapple sponges will start growing like crazy on their own....especially in dark areas like the undersides of rocks or in your sump. You can always add pods which can be eaten by the fish.