Hi! And where do you shop mid-island??

[emeraldeyes_bc]

I honestly have no idea haha the only thing I know for sure right now is a clean up crew, and a couple clowns (my sons dead set on clowns) other than that I was just going to go slow, somewhat easy, and work my way up with corals I wouldn't mind something the clowns might host, but I know my tank is way to young to think about nems, any ideas??

[Dearth]

For ease of care I would probably start with coral that primarily use light to grow they are also the easiest to care for

Anthelia and Xenia are very easy to look after but both tend to grow like weeds

Hammer and Frogspawn are also easy to care for

Zoa's another easy to care for

Some types of brain corals are also easy to look after

I have all the above never had to supplement feed them just did weekly water changes and gave them good light but some swear by supplement feeding the choice is yours

Most soft coral is easier to care for but most branching coral tends to be a bit more difficult to look after and require some extra attention and supplemental feeding

Again it's up to you

[naesco]

Originally Posted by emeraldeyes_bc

I honestly have no idea haha the only thing I know for sure right now is a clean up crew, and a couple clowns (my sons dead set on clowns) other than that I was just going to go slow, somewhat easy, and work my way up with corals I wouldn't mind something the clowns might host, but I know my tank is way to young to think about nems, any ideas??

Welcome. This hobby is relaxing. Well, most of the time..

Important questions.

What is the size of your tank.
What are the ammonia/nitrite readings?

As you have read going slow is the way to go. Add the first fish one month after the tank has cycled and one fish each month thereafter.

Do not get 'a clean up crew'. Too often it contains predators like hermit crabs and too many snails which starve to death and pollute new tanks. Add a hermit crab or two as they are cute and your son will enjoy watching them
As this is your son's tank mostly avoid corals except soft corals with some movement like leather corals. Get him fish that are easy to keep and not a brightly coloured fish that he will soon find dried up on the floor because the fish is a jumper for example.

Live aquaria is a good site for a quick reference but it is a vendor site and is in the business of selling coral and fish and therefore understates the fishes needs. Go to www.wetwebmedia.com which accurately sets them out.

Avoid the urge to go fast and most importantly avoid the impulse buy. Ask here before you buy.

Tonight, in a dark room quietly approach the tank with a small led flashlight. Your son and you will be amazed viewing the many critters in the tank.

Good luck
Wayne

[emeraldeyes_bc]

Oooooh I would love a hammer, frogspawn, or Zoa's

Hi Wayne, thanks for the response. The tank is a 25g, It's been cycling a couple weeks. I started it with 20lb live rock, and 10lbs dry/10lbs live rock, dropped a shrimp in there for a few days until it smelled lol.
The spike actually came and went quite quickly, I'm guessing because of all the live additions? ....I'm a bit obsessive and check parameters at least once a day . all readings have been 0's a week now and the diatoms have set in (why I'm wondering about some cleaners)
I've also read a lot of mixed thoughts about what to do with diatoms? Let them play out? Clean them?

And yes, this is technically my sons tank...however, it's purpose is to be a relaxing spot for him to sit and relax/watch (as I said he has SPD/ASD) so I wanted to go in the direction of a reef with rhythmical movement, colours, a couple slow moving interesting to watch things.
I'm already watching C/L for a good deal on a larger set up

And trust me, I sit and watch that empty tank WAY more than I probably should lol I've already pulled one gorilla crab out of a rock and brought him back to the LFS

[Dearth]

There is a split on CuC some people like me love crabs and snails others will go on a rampage killing as soon as they find them I have 9 blue legged hermits and 3 red legged hermits along with about a dozen snails and as far as I am concerned bring colour and idiosyncryes to the tank.

That is not to say all CuC is safe some of both species can be very destructive to your coral/fish/inverts again it is a personal choice J&L have excellent packages and can help you with choices. On the other hand you can run without snails and crabs and still have an awesome tank again its a personal choice