Another Newb with another Newb question.

[xnmuller]

So I have been following a few tank journals here and everyone seems so nice, I thought I would ask you all for a little "what would you do?" I have a 135 gallon set up with 50 gallon sump and about 125 lbs of rock. I run a Vertex IN-280 in-sump skimmer. The tank has been cycling for almost 4 weeks now and while I love just staring at the rocks and finding the two brittle stars who hitch a ride from the LFS, my wife keeps asking; "when are we gonna put some fish in that puddle?"

What I was wondering is what should I add first and did you have any suggestions on species etc;
1 - a display type fish (nice to look at but does no maintenance)
2 - a working type fish (something that will help maintain the quality of the environment)
3 - start with a small cleaning crew

Eventually I would like to build a mixed reef display.

[ALang]

What an incredibly nice sized tank to start with. Green with envy!!
First off, welcome to Canreef.
Then, make sure that your tank has fully cycled first before even contemplating lifestock!
Then, with your size tank, you need to decide what do you want to have: fish-only? large-polyped corals? Soft corals? or eventually a full-blown reef with small polyped stoney corals??
Sure you can give your fish away later, you still might have to, sometimes your fish just decides to misbehave and nibble on a clam or two. But you don't want a big wrasse/angel that may devour all your ohter stuff, etc...
Let us know what you may want to have as in the above questions, and then you should either get a couple of good books (you can borrow) to get you started.
What exciting times. Wish I was in your shoes, Nice skimmer, too.

[Lance]

Make up a list of the fish you want to keep, then research them to make sure they are compatible. When you start stocking the tank, introduce the more timid species first: working up to the more aggressive species last. And most important: GO SLOW! Let each new fish get fully acclimated to his new home. Have fun!

[xnmuller]

Originally Posted by ALang

What an incredibly nice sized tank to start with. Green with envy!!
First off, welcome to Canreef.
Then, make sure that your tank has fully cycled first before even contemplating lifestock!
Then, with your size tank, you need to decide what do you want to have: fish-only? large-polyped corals? Soft corals? or eventually a full-blown reef with small polyped stoney corals??
Sure you can give your fish away later, you still might have to, sometimes your fish just decides to misbehave and nibble on a clam or two. But you don't want a big wrasse/angel that may devour all your ohter stuff, etc...
Let us know what you may want to have as in the above questions, and then you should either get a couple of good books (you can borrow) to get you started.
What exciting times. Wish I was in your shoes, Nice skimmer, too.

Thanks for the replies, it really helps to get a cohesive thought process going about what comes next.

Currently I am waiting for the cycle to complete, and each test of the water parameters is dropping in ammonia and so on. So once the readings are correct and stable I will be adding the livestock. As for the type of tank I was thinking FOWLR to start then moving on to some of the "easier" corals. I heard tell there are some heartier softies and zoos. Dwarf angels will most likely be the center piece fish as they are the wife's favorite (concessions had to be made hehe).

The wish list looks something like this (and yes I think there is more here than the tank can handle so I'll have to shorten it at some point). Also I have not yet completed all my research to see if there are any incompatible pairings in this wish list.

2 x clown
1 x coral beauty angel
1 x flame angel
1 x lemon peel angel
1 x yellow tang
1 x blue tang
1 x foxface lo
2 x bartlett's anthias
1 x kaudern's cardinal
3 x green chromis
1 x a goby type
2 x bicolour dotty back


But what I really want to know is do the cleaning crew go in first or the most timid fish on my wishlist.

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

2 x clown
1 x coral beauty angel
1 x flame angel
1 x lemon peel angel
1 x yellow tang
1 x blue tang
1 x foxface lo
2 x bartlett's anthias
1 x kaudern's cardinal
3 x green chromis
1 x a goby type
2 x bicolour dotty back


But what I really want to know is do the cleaning crew go in first or the most timid fish on my wishlist.

Lose the 3xChromis and your list looks good. I'd double check the angels in consideration of any corals you are hoping to keep.

Cleanup crews need to eat too. If there is no algea in the tank, it might be a little to early. Also, you don't need to add them all at once. If you buy too many too quickly, they will exhaust their food source and eat each other.

I would start with a small clean up crew, then some fish, then some more clean up crew as the tank matures.

Personally, I'd start with the clowns.

- Brad

[xnmuller]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

Lose the 3xChromis and your list looks good. I'd double check the angels in consideration of any corals you are hoping to keep.

- Brad

Just curious why lose the chromis? Is this a personal preference or are there other reasons?

[ponokareefer]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

Just curious why lose the chromis? Is this a personal preference or are there other reasons?

Three chromis over time will typically become 1. They are quite aggressive towards each other as they age. This process may take a year or 2 depending on the chromis.

I would also be very cautious about dwarf angels. I had 3 and after a few months, regretted getting them. They were extremely beautiful, but attacked corals randomly. I would consider going with wrasse's instead if you get some type of canopy to prevent jumping.

[Leah]

Welcome to Canreef,

And yes we are an AWESOME bunch of banana's or something.

Chromis are a better species to start with and usually cheaper the clowns and lets face it...I'd rather lose a chromis or two then a clown. Yes once they are in they are a beggar to get out. Having said that If you like the looks of them then go for it.
GO SLOWWW. And I agree with the fact that most angels are munchers of corals. You could try a Bellus, Singapore or maybe a Lamarcks. But I would not have a tank, reef or otherwise without at least one. My personal opinion only though. I LOVE MY ANGELS.

Leah

[mws]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

Just curious why lose the chromis? Is this a personal preference or are there other reasons?

+1 on loose the chromises. They been nothing but pain for me. Mine span every 3 days and it's word war II in a tank the all time.
If I can cutch the bustards and turn time back I would go with 3-4 azure damsels. I know damsels!!! But whose are the nicest one out of damsel family, peaceful and you can get a group of 3-4 and have a pop of blue/yellow here and there.And best of all hardy and will eat fish feces.
Just my two cents.

That said I will be moving to a bigger tank in about a month, so if anyone like my chromises for 2.50 a peace are welcome to have them.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

But what I really want to know is do the cleaning crew go in first or the most timid fish on my wishlist.

It's never too early to add the cleaning crew (mostly), and would not figure into the fish stocking order.