Who goes first?

[dexterie]

I've just been to a LFS to check their stock and so. I'm trying to "browse" to get ideas on which corals I will want...as I don't know much about them...

I talked with the guy there and explained I have freshly set tank that is cycling. With the conversation he told me that the first thing to add - after the inverts/clean-up crew - would be corals. "Maybe a algae-eating fish, but other than that, corals first so they absorb the nutrients in the water that won't be available with fish inside on a new tank".

I had the idea that those should be the last, after the tank is long-matured?

Sorry I post so many questions, but I'm on "baby steps" stage and everything is new to me.

Thanks!

 

[glb]

I've just been to a LFS to check their stock and so. I'm trying to "browse" to get ideas on which corals I will want...as I don't know much about them...

I talked with the guy there and explained I have freshly set tank that is cycling. With the conversation he told me that the first thing to add - after the inverts/clean-up crew - would be corals. "Maybe a algae-eating fish, but other than that, corals first so they absorb the nutrients in the water that won't be available with fish inside on a new tank".

I had the idea that those should be the last, after the tank is long-matured?

Sorry I post so many questions, but I'm on "baby steps" stage and everything is new to me.

Thanks!

Welcome! Your LFS gave you terrible advice. Your ideas about waiting on coral are absolutely right. Why? A new tank is very unstable and corals need stability to succeed. I would add a cleanup crew when the cycling is done (when ammonia and nitrites are 0 and are fully converted to nitrates for two days). You can add a fish (or two depending on the size of the tank) once the cycle is over. You'll want to bring the nitrates down with a big water change. I'd wait a week or two before adding new fish. Monitor your levels closely. I add some Prime to my tank every time I add a new fish to protect the fishes in case there's a small ammonia spike. There shouldn't be if you add things slowly. SMH about what your LFS was thinking. ​

 

[dexterie]

Welcome! Your LFS gave you terrible advice. Your ideas about waiting on coral are absolutely right. Why? A new tank is very unstable and corals need stability to succeed. I would add a cleanup crew when the cycling is done (when ammonia and nitrites are 0 and are fully converted to nitrates for two days). You can add a fish (or two depending on the size of the tank) once the cycle is over. You'll want to bring the nitrates down with a big water change. I'd wait a week or two before adding new fish. Monitor your levels closely. I add some Prime to my tank every time I add a new fish to protect the fishes in case there's a small ammonia spike. There shouldn't be if you add things slowly. SMH about what your LFS was thinking. ​

I thought so! I remember reading something like "corals go last" for the reasons you mentioned.
It was the first time going there and I guess it was the last. Thing is that for me, it's the closest. Maybe he just wanted to sell corals? No idea.

I set the tank last week (one week today) and levels are ok, for now. Been "ghost feeding" and the bacteria that came with the sand/rock seems to be doing its job. In any case, I'll only add the CUC in some weeks... or maybe in a month, to be sure (I have to think about this - as I don't want a algae forest) and then 1 fish/week (with the exception of the clowns), with WC in between.

 

[jrwoltman]

"You go first" to find yourself a new LFS. In a few months when it is time to start adding some beginner corals, like leathers, mushrooms, and zoas, reach out to reefers in your area. Often veteran reefers are willing to PIF to new guys with free easy to handle corals.

 

[dexterie]

"You go first" to find yourself a new LFS. In a few months when it is time to start adding some beginner corals, like leathers, mushrooms, and zoas, reach out to reefers in your area. Often veteran reefers are willing to PIF to new guys with free easy to handle corals.

I'll go back to the place I got the tank from. They were super nice and very "be calm and have some patience and you wont regret". Problem is that the store is a bit far, but I'd rather drive all the way there and be happy that do something stupid.

This kind of contradictory info is very bad for newbies...

 

[jrwoltman]

I'll go back to the place I got the tank from. They were super nice and very "be calm and have some patience and you wont regret". Problem is that the store is a bit far, but I'd rather drive all the way there and be happy that do something stupid.

This kind of contradictory info is very bad for newbies...

That is a very wise choice. My advice is also, since it is so far, call them first, remind them who you are, then ask them what beginner corals do they have in stock and prices before you journey to the outlands where that store is located.

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

I added fish and coral at the same time 2 months after the cycle was complete.

 

[trevormass7]

I added some easy coral and a blasto about 2 months after cycling and a few fish. So far everything is growing but definitely take it slow and get as much info as possible Abbott every coral you get

 

[masssnapz]

Lol what.

 

[trevormass7]

*about

 

[masssnapz]

*about

About the corals going in before fish. Let's get the tank ready for fish with sps!

 

[dexterie]

I'll take my time. Inverts/cuc will come next month and, from there, I'll see how it goes.

I won't do the same mistake I did when I was a kid and started the first freshwater tank :/ That was such an epic fail! :/

 

[trevormass7]

About the corals going in before fish. Let's get the tank ready for fish with sps!

I was just saying it could be done, sadly I was given the same misinformation about corals needing to go first. I wouldn't suggest it but it is doable

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

Make sure all coral are dipped before adding to tank as well save the headaches.

 

[trevormass7]

If qt them just like fish. Can never be too safe