Tank done cyclying, now what?

TxTech06 · 10-10-2007, 11:17 AM

I want to start adding fish in my new setup. My tank has been setup and cycling for about 3 months now. All my levels are pretty much where they should be, just tested them last night and looking good.
My setup is 55g w/(4) 65watt pc lighting w/ 20g custom built refugium, 40lb live sand, approx 60-70lb of rock, also have venturi type skimmer. The rock was not alive when I placed it in the tank, it had been sitting in a trash can for about 2 yrs w/out water.
Any thoughts on what fish I should add first? Going with a FWLRO tank maybe a some corals later but for now FWLRO.

Here is what I eventually want in my tank: Niger Trigger, Blue &/or Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown w/anemone, Butterfly or Foxface.

Should I add a cleaner crew before I add fish?

mluna785 · 10-10-2007, 11:30 AM

If you want to add a cleaner crew now that would be fine. Be sure to acclimate everyone for at least 2 hours though. As far as the other fish that you want I think that a 55 gallon tank is a little too small to have any sort of tang. As far as Butterfly or Foxface I'm not sure but the same probably applies. I'm sure others will chime in on this. When you do add fish be sure to add the least aggressive ones first then later add the more aggressive ones. You could probably go ahead and add the clown too but I have heard that anemones need better lighting than PC's.

saltysupply · 10-10-2007, 11:47 AM

You should be good to put in the cleaners etc...then start adding fish slowly...

as far as fish I would stay away from a maroon clownfish...others may have had different experiences but mine was very territorial and was damaging my other fish...they do best in their own tank, mine is in the 20gal sump/refug. Stay away from tangs in that size tank..

DevilBoy · 10-10-2007, 11:54 AM

Triggers are not reef safe. they will move around rocks to find food. so no corals with the triggers. they may even eat inverts also, i am not sure tho. you may want to look into it. As for the tangs, IMHO, i would not put a tang in a tank less then 6 feet in length. some peeps will argue that a 6 feet tank is too short and recommend a 8 feet tank.

saltysupply · 10-10-2007, 11:56 AM

I would go with all fish that will be benificial to the reef when set it up.

saltysupply · 10-10-2007, 11:56 AM

I would suggest going with stuff that is beneficial to the reef when you decide to switch...rather than fish that just produce waste and thats it

mluna785 · 10-10-2007, 11:57 AM

If you want some good clowns get either a young pair of Percula or Ocellaris Clowns. They are beautiful fish and they are pretty entertaining.

TxTech06 · 10-10-2007, 12:09 PM

There goes my fish wish list.
I think you are right about the Maroon Clown b/c in my other tank, him and the other fish would fight so I had to get rid of the other fish and leave him alone.
So no cleaner shrimp then if they are not invert safe?
I guess now I am open to what people have put in a 55g.

Goldstripe · 10-10-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilBoy

Triggers are not reef safe. they will move around rocks to find food. so no corals with the triggers. they may even eat inverts also, i am not sure tho. you may want to look into it. As for the tangs, IMHO, i would not put a tang in a tank less then 6 feet in length. some peeps will argue that a 6 feet tank is too short and recommend a 8 feet tank.

While any trigger may be questionable, people have had success with Niger Triggers in a reef tank. I've seen it in a club members' tank. Would I do it? Not with a Niger. I do however have a Blue Throat who is very well behaved in the tank. Granted triggers do get rather large and for that reason you may want to hold off on one unless you plan on catching and returning for credit to the LFS.

I also have a Goldstripe maroon clown (imagine that). Use to have a pair but the male died mysteriously, the female I've had for 3 years now. And, I haven't had a problem with my cleaner shrimp messing with anyone in the tank, or my coral banded who is also 3 years old.

mluna785 · 10-10-2007, 01:03 PM

Cleaner shrimp are fine to put in a reef tank in fact I would suggest it. They clean the fish by picking parasites from their skin. They are very desirable. As far as what else to add: I have a 55 cycling right now. Once it's done I am going to have 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, 4 Firefish, 3 Bangaii Cardinalfish and 4 or 5 Yellow-tail Damsels. I would also like a Royal Gramma but I am not sure if my bioload would be too much.

Loverotties · 10-10-2007, 01:09 PM

Any Trigger is ok because it's a SWLRFO .No Tangs(tank to small).Clowns are ok but you should waite a yr or more till your tank is mature to have a Anemone.

Geoff · 10-10-2007, 10:19 PM

after three months you can easily start adding critters. start with a smaller cleanup crew than is recommended to get a guage on how many your tank needs. it is easy to add more, but expensive to kill them because they do not have enough food.

G~

mluna785 · 10-10-2007, 10:57 PM

Nicely put Geoff.

Dancing4raiin · 10-10-2007, 11:07 PM

My maroon clown is very territorial, He chases my 6 line wrasse, and Yellow tailed damsel out of his half of the tank. He doesn't seam to mind the Bi color blenny or my blood red shrimp though. The maroon was given to me, but I'm looking to get rid of him and maybe get an Ocellaris Clown fish

mluna785 · 10-10-2007, 11:11 PM

The Ocellaris are very good clowns. I have a pair in my 20 gallon that will eventually end up in my 55. They are relatively peaceful. I haven't seen them chase anyone in the tank at all.