What to add after clean up crew

[nmreefbeginner]

I added about 12 snails a weeks ago. Im ready for my first addition. I was going to hold back on any fish yet. WHat does one typically add after the clean up crew. Inverts, fish, or my first coral (green star Ployp)

Thanks

[Doug1]

My reef is about 2 months old now, restart after a major crash, all new LR and sand, one lone skunk clown that survived the ordeal I went to the LFS in nearby town trying to get some snails and they were out. I am looking to add a variety of snail species and maybe a few of the tiny hermits along with restarting the sketti worms and pods, bristleworms etc. I figure at this point at least 4 more months before starting to restock corals FWIW

[socal surfer]

I would probably add some mushrooms or some other hardy coral. Im assuming youve cycled the tank but if you haven't you might want to add a damsel or two to cycle it and then take them out when ist cycled. After that you're ready to add fish and inverts.

Hth:

[Alice]

You don't need damsels to cycle a tank; live rock, a piece of dead shrimp, even some flake food will get the cycle going. Hard on the damsels during the cycle, they often die and way too hard on the tank owner trying to get the darn things out after!

nmreefbeginner, it is best to wait several months before adding much to the tank. It is very hard to wait, but it will pay off in healthier livestock and a more stable tank. Some people say that a fish or two should go in before the corals, to both feed the tank and ramp up its' ability to process waste. Some people say corals should be first. And some people don't want fish at all.

Whichever way you go, just go slowly, adding things one or two at a time to let the tank (and your wallet!) catch up. Research the animals you want for compatibility with each other and yor tank set up.

FWIW, mushrooms, zoanthids and a colt coral were the first additions in my tank followed in a couple of weeks by a bi-color blenny.

Alice