Another Newb with another Newb question.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

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.

i wouldnt bother with angels if your gonna have coral they are dead hit or miss but its your call......the lemonpeel is the one id be worried about most.ive always added a clean up crew first like some snails and shrimp but isnt "necessary".your list isnt all that huge and over time your sytem could handle it if you set it up correctly.

remember where your tank is just finishing its cycle its very very very important not to add to many at once.if i were you id start with the 3 green chromis then wait a bit add another and let it settle for a bit.if you throw too much into fast it throws your tank off balance and the bio load will be too much.

add your yellow tang off that list last i find them to be bullys when they own the tank or theres few fish around same with the foxface they are community fish but territorial none the less.

[xnmuller]

Wow, thanks for the response. So it sounds like I should build my cleaning crew as the bio-load increases over time. I will probably start with a couple of clowns (my daughter absolutely loves "Nemo") once the cycle is complete and the tank is ready then go from there. I still have some research planned about the angels and compatibility, but I don't plan on adding more then 2 fish a month and revelling in the anticipation of my next purchase.

Thanks again for all your advice. As for types of corals, I'll do my best to keep them to a destructive minimum, but I don't anticipate my first coral for about a year or so. I guess we'll see where this hobby will take me.