Stocking my tank?

Brooke · 03-18-2001, 04:47 PM

FishNewbie-
If you haven't already, go to the tank specs section and give us your specs. Then put the url for your tank thread in your signature line.

OK, first off...unfortunately a naso is gonna get too big for a 75g. A yellow tang would be fine.

Read this thread from the archives about keeping anemones. Anemone thread
I would opt for clowns that stay a little smaller like percula or ocellaris. Maroons get very big.

Patience is most important right now. Add your clean-up crew, detrivore kits (sand-bed critters), and let your tank mature for another month. Maybe get a feather duster for some visual interest. Then start adding fish to your tank. Buy your fish gradually, and don't add more than 2 at a time to the tank. Give the tank a rest in between purchases to get used to the bioload.

If you take your time, you will save $$ in the long run from not having fish die on you.

HTH-
Brooke
Brooke

Doug1 · 03-18-2001, 05:21 PM

The "cycle" on your tank is just starting. Now that you have the Nitrogen Cycle out of the way, remember every addition to the tank is going to need time for the biofilter to adjust to the new load, not to mention the diatom and other algae blooms coming while the tank reaches a stage of equilibrium. This can take up to a year but starts mellowing out at around six months time, assuming that you have established a diverse infauna population such as copepods, speghetti and bristle worms, mini brittle stars and a wide variety of snails species, as most of them have preferences as to what they feed on.
I really recommend holding off on getting a Tang till the tank is about six months old and past most of the algae blooms stage. These fish stress easily and need a stable environment. Most new tanks do not provide this and thats a cause of sick tangs among other things

[ 03-18-2001: Message edited by: Doug1 ]

Alice · 03-18-2001, 06:48 PM

Patience is the one thing in this hobby that is cheap but it's also the thing that is in the shortest supply!

We've all been there, done that and we know that waiting is hard. It's hard to have people come over and say "where are the fish?" They just don't appreciated a glass box filled with water and rocks like us salt heads do. I solved that problem with my tank at work by putting a post-it on the tank that said "Rare invisible fish!!" What was really funny was watching visitors to the office looking for it before they caught on

Brooke's idea about the Feather Duster was a good one; you can also try a mushroom rock or some polyps for interest. And until you have a "*real* fish tank", lol, post away on this board. We'll cheer all the kewl discoveries you find on your live rock.

~Alice

Blake · 03-18-2001, 10:18 PM

Take your time. I added Rick the Tang in my 46gal at about 2 months. It was going into the green hair algae bloom. Well Rick got stressed, developed Ick, and now I am wating for the Ick population in the display tank to die off. Rick the Tang is not having fun in a 25 tall holding tank.

Just wait, relax, and read up on the hobby.

FishNewbie · 03-19-2001, 01:59 AM

Hello, everyone.....I think my 75g tank is CYCLED!!!!!!YAY!!!!

Need some opinions on stocking, will be getting my cleanup crew in a couple of days, after that, my idea is to start with a matched pair of maroon clowns, bubbletip anemone, a yellow tang, and a naso tang...I've been reading up on the NASOTangs, will he be okay for a 75g, or will he get too big? Am I starting out with too much? Please reply...Thanks

FishNewbie · 03-19-2001, 09:44 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll hold off awhile on the fish, sounds like the best idea. You're right, patience is VERY short in supply. I also have a FW tank, 55g, took 5 weeks to cycle.....with just cheap ugly fish, I don't remember being this impatient, and this time it's only been 2 weeks.

Am opting to go with Feathers and Starfish for now, Thanks again, for the support, you all are GREAT!!

Brooke · 03-19-2001, 10:38 PM

I'm glad you decided to go for the patience. I started my seahorse tank in January and still no fish. I probably won't order them for another month. Is it killing me?? Yes. Do I want to put 10 fish in there right now? Yes. But, I'm not gonna do that. I purchased a orange tree sponge for the tank instead. I've got a little more eye candy to hold me over till I order my horses.

Not to discourage you from getting yet another creature, but I wouldn't suggest getting a starfish yet either. Only the linckia and fromia are reef safe, and even then, they are hard to acclimate and keep.

Brooke