Ready for livestock

auburnrx

auburnrx

New Member
I have a 70g tank that is on its 9th week of cycling. All my numbers look great and I have coralline algae growing on my rock. I have 1 true percula, 10 snails, 10 hermit crabs, and 2 sand sifting starfish. I am ready to add some livestock to my tank. I want a coral and fish tank. I am reading all about (and have been for 9 weeks) the different corals and how they interact with the different fish. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on where to go from here. I mainly want to focus on corals but with some colorful fish too. I have T5 HO lights for my tank that my lfs said would sustain 98% of all corals.
 
sickboy

sickboy

Active Member
Depending on your T5 fixture, you should be able to keep 100% of corals. Some of the best sps heavy reef tanks I have seen are tanks where halides were replaced by T5s b/c of the bulb variations that can be used. So, I wouldn't worry about that.
What are you looking for? What kind of corals do you like?
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Your tank can probably handle another fish or two. The key to success is to go slowly when adding anything to the tank. I would get your fish in and then start with some of the easier corals to take care of once your tank is good and stable (good to great water parameters for a month or two) and progress from there.
Not really sure what you are looking for, but a few colorful peaceful fish would be chromis, some of the smaller reef safe wrasses, foxface, lots of different gobies and blennies. There are many choices.
If you are like me, you will change your mind about what you want in your tank many times as you progress through the hobby, but that is what makes it so interesting is all the variety that you can choose from. Good luck and enjoy the adventure.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
I have heard that from others as well, but I have had mine for two and a half years and they do great with everyone and with each other. Maybe I just got lucky.
 
auburnrx

auburnrx

New Member
I don't have any corals yet and the only fish I have is a clown. I was reading about Royal Grammas and Skunkback psuedo. Can these be put in the tank together? I also like angels and tangs.
As far as the corals go...they intimidate me. What are some of the good ones to start with? I like color and movement!
Thanks!
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
I am not positive, but I don't think that the gramma and the psuedochromis will get along. I believe that you are not supposed to mix dottybacks (psuedochromis) and basslets (gramma) in the same tank. I think it will be one or the other, and either one of these should be one of the last fish added.
As far as corals go, you could start with some zoas. Fairly easy to care for and lots of color variations. Really depends on what you like. You could try some xenia, although if you read enough threads on here there are many people who say they wish they had never added it to their tank because it has a tendency to take over. If you are into LPS something like candy canes, hammer or frogspawn are all pretty easy to care for and should do fine in your tank. Lots of choices. Take time, look around, figure out what you like and then slowly try some things.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I have 4 green chromis and they are the nicest fish...calm peaceful and schooling...
I agree with the zoas, if you like it get some pulsing xenia...that is supposed to grow like a weed though (although it doesn't for me) I also have a toadstool leather that seems to be doing well with no extra maintenance
 
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