Mangroves? Invertebrates?

[Alex.M.]

So after 3 months of research and 6 books later (and working at my local zoo for an internship), I finally feel ready to start my new saltwater tank. The tank is a 40 gallon, 36 x 18 x 18. It will be a rock and fish only tank. I would like some answers/opinions on when I should add certain items/animals to my tank. My LFS and my LEFS, along with the internet keep giving me conflicting information and Im totally lost.

So let me state that I am currently at the beginning stages of my tanks. Today I just added my live sand, my live rocks, and 3 red mangroves. The next step is to start the cycling process. I do not wish to cycle my tank with live fish even though my local stores keep pushing me in that direction. I planned on adding fish food to start the cycling process. Is this how most people start their cycling process?

I also would like opinions on how my mangroves will affect the cycling process. In the wild, mangroves will remove ammonia and nitrates/nitrites (among other minerals) from the water, thus it is safe to assume that my mangroves will do the same. Does this mean that my cycle time will be less than 6-8 weeks? I know to do water test daily, was just curious about other peoples experience.

So my last question is when should I add my invertebrates? My LFS says to add them right now but I am not to sure about that. They also said that i needed to add more fish but i do not wish to over whelm my tank.

I would also like some opinions about my future fish and invertebrates. After one year the tank would have: 2 O. Clown fish - 1 B. Cardinal - 1 Shrimp Gobi - 1 fire fish - 1 royal gramma - 1 piston shrimp - 2 porcelain crabs - 1 Short Spine urchin - 10 snails (various) - 2 hermit crabs - 3 mangroves

So would a good course of action be as followed:
Step 1: QT in June - 10 snails, 2 hermits, and 2 O.clowns - add to tank in July
Step 2: QT in July - 1 B.cardinal - add fish to tank in August
Step 3: QT in August - 1 Shrimp Gobi & Piston shrimp - Add fish to tank in September
Step 4: QT in September - 1 Fire fish - Add fish to tank in October
Step 5: QT in October - 1 royal gamma - Add fish to tank in November
Step 6: Wait one month
Step 7: Qt in January - 2 porcelain crabs. - Add in February
Step 8: wait one month
Step 9: QT in April - 1 short spine Urchin - Add to tank in May

 

[Coralreefer1]

Hi,
First of all, Mangroves don’t consume nitrogen that effectively to reduce the time needed to cycle a tank. They absorb nitrogen and other minerals and elements in the benthic areas of your tank also, not pelagic. They require a fresh water mist to remove the salt creep that is deposited on their leaves.
To cycle your tank, live fish are not needed and are often shunned especially if Damsel fish are what’s used. They are hard to remove if need be, are aggressive, territorial and many become large and drab in color as they grow. For example the Domino, Three Stripe and Sergeant Major. Yes, there are other fish that adept to handle cycles like Triggers, Grouper, Clownfish and Lionfish but, again, not a good idea.
Best way to go is to add a piece of frozen shrimp from your local supermarket or UNCURED live rock.
Last, you never want to add inverts right away and never during the cycling process as most are very delicate and nit able to handle large and fast fluctuations in water quality.
I don’t know what the fish store personnel are doing except trying to spend your money foolishly and set you up for failure as well as kill your live stock, however, it is best to under stock than overstock. Your not housing African Cichlids where it is advantageous, almost to the point, to overcrowd the tank to reduce aggression.
Go slow, research and ask questions here, take the time to cycle correctly, establish a plan of action, be aware of fish needs, husbandry and compatibility issues plus the order in which to add said fish due to aggression.
I wouldn’t add the Clowns first because they are related to Damsels and display aggression which could pose a problem when adding more delicate and timid fish like the Bangaii Cardinal and Firefish.