New to reef tank aquariums

Sarahaquarium · Nov 3, 2020

Hey guys! I’m new here and about to start my very first reef aquarium. I have a 90 gallon glass tank and have done my research but before I start I need the okay from someone experienced. So here is the plan -

First I’ll add the saltwater of course and wait for it to cycle, changing the water every week (?) and topping off with fresh water. I was wondering if there’s a safe way to speed up the cycling process? I’ve seen you can put a rock in there to speed it up but I don’t know how true that is. Also how do I know if it has cycled? Once the tests are steady within the parameters for a couple weeks?

Once it has cycled I’ll add the little cleaner dudes (lol) like shrimp and snails and crabs — can all of those go together or do I choose one? Also I’ve read I can only keep two cleaner shrimp, one or two crabs, then unlimited snails (of course not overstocking), is this true?

Wait another week and make sure the test stays in a good range then add corals? I’m still not sure what kinds I want/should have and I need to do more research into the different types.

Another week or two then fish? But this is where I’m confused so help me out lol.

The first fish I add I wanted to be two clownfish because that’s what I’m basing my tank around. BUT I really wanted them to have an anemone (I know they can live without it, but I want them to be cozy) but when I was reading, I saw that you can’t introduce anemones until you have a tank that has been established for at least eight months?? Holy guac, is this true?

Then another week and maybe add two dottybacks? I’m worried they’re too aggressive so let me know.

After they settle in, I REALLY want a small school of cardinals. I know ten is preferred but I’m worried my tank is too small so maybe 5? I’m not sure.

Then I would really like two firefish but I’m worried about that because to get two firefish together they have to be a male/female pair, but I really just don’t want one to be all alone so how do I make sure I get one of each?

I also really want a couple starry blennys but I have the same problem with them as I do with the firefish. Also I’ve seen they can only be put in an established tank, how established does it need to be?

That’s all for the creatures I want in there, I’m worried it’s too many so I can forget about the dottybacks but I’d really like all the rest of the fish so let me know if that would be okay or if I’m overstocking?

Im totally willing to be patient but let me know how and where I can cut time as well.

Thank you guys so much!

T-J · Nov 3, 2020

First of all, welcome to R2R! Lots of great info and people out here.
Now, on to your questions....

In your post, you brought up "speeding it up" or "holy guac" when referring to how long things can take. You can't speed things up and expect good results. Not in this hobby. Some people wait over a year before introducing corals into their tanks. So, in my opinion, please don't try to speed things up, and allow the tank to mature naturally.

Clowns have no problems being without an anemone. I have a male and female clown pair, and they don't have an anemone. They're doing just fine.
Also, I like to call anemones the "death piñata". They will move around your tank and will at some point float around in the water stinging everything they touch. Hopefully you have great guards on your powerheads, so they don't get ground up. IMO, anemones should be kept in tanks without corals. Just my opinion and experience.

Cycling your tank is pretty straightforward. You need bacteria and a food source for the bacteria. You can go old school with a piece of shrimp, or you can go more modern with bacteria in a bottle and ammonia dosing. You'll find tons of info on both here at R2R. You'll know your cycle is done when you don't have detectible nitrites or ammonia. Don't base how long it will take off of other peoples experiences. Just go by what the test kits are telling you.

Don't put too many cleaners into a tank without anything to clean. Typically, I've put fish and cleaners in around the same time. Fish poop, and the food I put in for the fish end up being the food for the cleaners. I have tone cleaner shrimp (who's an a$$hat), two peppermint shrimp, 3 turbo snails and no idea how many red and blue hermit crabs. Other snails are in there too.

LiveWire · Nov 3, 2020

Hello @Sarahaquarium and welcome to the REEF!!

To start I would recommend watching this video from Dr Tim. It has a ton of information on the cycling process and ways to "Turbo Charge" it.

I also will say now that patience is a great thing to have in this hobby. As you will find things as well as Livestock that you may want to change as you are in the process. Cleaners are great but in my opinion I say go light on the cleaners as you start out and then if you find you need more you can always add more rather than getting too many and having some starve and then polute your tank which then grows algae and so on.

As far as introduce anemones sooner than later there is a great debate on if you need to wait or not. I always have waited until my system in mature before adding them but I am aware that others do add them sooner and tend to have no issues. Anemones can be tough to deal with at times and I would not add any corals until after you add an anemone as they will move around until they find a spot they like and if that means running over your $100 coral frag you just go last month they wont think twice. Actually they dont think at all

I have had firefish in the past and don't remember having to make sure that they were male and female. Although I may have just lucked out. I am sure someone else will chime in on that. I do know that you will need some type of cover on the tank as they are known jumpers. The cardinals I have always had good luck with so they should not be an issue. How many will depend on your filtration. Also what dottyback are you looking into?

Some of the fish that you are looking into need an established tank because they need a large amount of copepods which they feed on and it takes time for them to get established in your system. You have a fairly large list of fish that you would like to have so have you thought about how you will be exporting all the nutrients that they and uneaten food from feedings will be adding to the system?

Hope this helps and I am sure some others will chime in to help with some of the other points that I was not 100% sure of.

Happy Reefing!!

Tastee · Nov 4, 2020

Sorry to say it but you need three things to have a successful tank. Information, patience and patience. Oh, and more patience. Clowns are great fish to start with and they don’t need a ‘nem. Adding a small CUC early is also a good idea. Beyond this it really depends on how your tank is travelling.

Invest in good quality test kits and test weekly until you think you have a ‘feel’ for your tank. Data is important when a tank is young. It won’t fix problems but it will help you understand what may have caused the problem a little better. Without it you are guessing. Data helps you make decisions and change what you are doing to get a different outcome.

Good luck!