What to do - thoughts appreciated

[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.

[Slick Fork]

If (when) I start another tank from scratch someday I think I would start by putting all my liverock in, seeding some more life into it with a nice big ball of chaeto and then letting it run for a while, adding coral and a smallish clean up crew. It's hard to resist adding fish, but I do think there's something to be said for letting all the micro-life get established in the tank before introducing fish that will act as predators to it.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

If (when) I start another tank from scratch someday I think I would start by putting all my liverock in, seeding some more life into it with a nice big ball of chaeto and then letting it run for a while, adding coral and a smallish clean up crew. It's hard to resist adding fish, but I do think there's something to be said for letting all the micro-life get established in the tank before introducing fish that will act as predators to it.

This is another line of thinking that has me wondering what to do

I have the chaeto in and just added 2 Astreas and 1 Scarlet hermit
After acclimating, the snails separated and started to move about
The hermit went right to it on the spot I placed it on and is still munching as we speak
... update ...
The snails are still in the same area but moving ...
The hermit has decided to take a break but I see ( let's call it a him ) his eyes and such still moving. He was eating for over a half hour

[gregzz4]

To condense daplatapus' generous input ( and thanks for it ) ....
I fully agree with the idea of QTing all fish
Even though some may be inclined to add their first fish right to the DT, I will not

I have just finished filling the QT with RO and am getting it ready for new fish, regardless if they will go into the tank before corals or after

With that said, we will probably buy one or 2 fishes tomorrow as I saw a couple today @ J&L that I'd like to have. They will go into the QT for weeks before going into the DT ( I think I've made that clear already )

So, do I start with corals, or do I start with fish ??????

[daplatapus]

I think a hardy fish is easier to care for. Feed 'em and give them fairly clean water and they're good to go. They also get you used to doing water changes and getting used to testing. Corals need good water quality, to some extent the right balance of elements like Mg, alk and Ca. Lighting is more crucial too. But that being said, there are some really easy, inexpensive corals that you could probably introduce at the same time. Why make yourself choose one over the other when you cann have both

[lockrookie]

you should wait be patient never rush i rushed my first tank and regretted it ore problems than enjoyment.. to be on the safe side... you could chance it and be ok but you have planned this long done all this work to what take a chance and add something. your rock is cured wait the full 4 weeks. or when you go to j&l purchase some prodibio start up add that to the tank let it run its course then add fish and coral.. but as i said you have put alot of thought into this. tank dontset yourself up to fail now

just my opinion

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by subman

I'd treat it like a 20g tank for the amount of liverock for stocking

I wouldn't be afraid to add a mushroom or inexpensive poylp as well.

I like clowns as a first fish they are hardy, captive bred and are a staple in any marine tank

These are my thoughts too

[daplatapus]

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.

Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. If you get a fish and put it into your tank, what if it has ich? The parasite will live it's life cycle, drop into the substrate be reborn 1000 fold and start again. Those young parasite will find the 1st fish, live their life cycle, drop off into the substrate and keep multiplying. If your fish is healthy and able to fight the invasion you may not even see it or know it's in your tank. Until, that is, you buy that really nice hippo tang or something, a couple fish get stressed and holy cow, how'd I get ich? I QT'd all my fish. No you didn't.

Your tank is the most pristine it's going to get. Don't be impatient and add a fish in there unless you are absolutely sure it is disease and parasite free. And the only way you are 100% sure is if you QT and/or treat. Some people prophylactically treat with copper, prazi, and/or a handful of others. What's worked for me so far is just the tank transfer method to deal with ich and close observation for anything else. Granted, I've only got 9 months under my belt, so it is only my experience and reading.

The only thing that sucks more than having a fish with ich is having a tank full of ichy fish. Then you will need to QT all of them and let your tank sit fallow for 8-10 weeks.
If it were me, I'd start ghost feeding the tank. A bit a day. If your NH3/NH4, NO3 and NO2 are remaining low after another week or so, I'd add a a couple hermit crabs if you personally have nothing against them (some don't like any). You've already got algae growing, add a couple snails then too. While this is going on, QT a couple nice hardy fish. Watch them every day, how they eat, how they react to you. When you finally get them into the tank you'll sort of know what's normal behaviour for them.

You are setting the stage for what should be a long and happy environment for your little fishies. Don't put anything in there you don't want in there for the long haul.

But, again, just my opinion....