What to do - thoughts appreciated

[gregzz4]

Our tank has had salt in it now for 2 weeks and the sand cloud from Thursday night has cleared. All params are stable and very close to what I'd like to see
79.9 - 80.3 F
pH 8.13
Silicates 0
Copper 0
NH3 0
NO2 0
NO3 0
PO4 0
KH 9
Ca 460
Mg 1350
Sg 1.026

So now I have a decision to make;
1 - Start off with some easy softies and feed them to seed the tank ( plus QT some fish ) or ...
2 - QT a fish or 2 and start seeding the tank with them next month

Choice 1 is obviously the more costly risk, but will give fish something to come home to
Choice 2 will probably seed more readily and be less risky for this beginner, but then I'll have to wait for a QT cycle before adding anything to the DT

In the meantime I have a big ball of chaeto in it's tank and I'm getting some small branching algae on the LR and a hi flow area of glass
If I add any kind of CUC right now, it would be just a snail or 2 as I wouldn't want them to starve

So, what are your thoughts ?
Thanks for your input

[gregzz4]

In the meantime, I've decided to get 2 Astrea snails, one Red Scarlet hermit and a bag of shells
I only have 15lbs of LR so I think that's plenty for a start
I'm going to J&L this afternoon and really want to bring something live home

[gregzz4]

I shoulda mentioned ...
I'm starting to get some algae that looks like turf ?
And green whisker-like sprouts, some of which have white feather-duster-lookin' heads
I hope that will be some food for the new guys

[gregzz4]

This is the best I can do in a short time

[gregzz4]

I'm not surprised with the lack of responses an this beautiful long weekend

[Flash]

you only have 15lbs of rock in a 75gl?

get at least 50 more lbs, let the tank cycle for two more weeks after that. then test your water. if everything is at 0 you can start a SMALL cuc... don't rush anything. no point in stressing out living things. add more rock and go from there. leave fish out of the picture until you all all the rock in the tank you'll be wanting.

[PurpleMonkey]

I'd think to grab some more rock...

I got my tank started with some cocktail shrimp. I did use MB7... Don't know if it made a huge difference but it was about 2 weeks.

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[subman]

I would't QT the first fish in IMO. I think QTing is great later when adding to an established tank but kinda pointless in a new one like yours. If it was me I'd get a fish.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by subman

I would't QT the first fish in IMO. I think QTing is great later when adding to an established tank but kinda pointless in a new one like yours. If it was me I'd get a fish.

Thanks Sub
Finally some input with a decision as to what to add first

I realize my LR amount is very minimal - I really want to add some to the sump and will do so shortly, but it will have to cure first in a rubbermaid
I posted how much I have so others would get an idea what I'm up against

So, any other thoughts as to what to get first ?

Fish or easy corals ?????

[subman]

The small amount of LR doesn't really matter, as long as your livestock is still small. I'd treat it like a 20g tank for the amount of livestock for stocking.

I like adding fish first, I find them a better sign of tank health in the beginning. I like clowns as a first fish they are hardy, captive bred and are a staple in any marine tank. I wouldn't be afraid to add a mushroom or inexpensive poylp as well.