Set up for 46 gallon

[dunhawk]

I am just getting into this incredibly addicting hobby. I have a 46 gallon bowfront and I am thinking about getting the following fish. Do you think they will work together and which should be added last or first?
List:
six line wrasse
oscellarius clown (SP?)
purple firefish
yellow watchman goby
coral beauty angelfish.
Also if I am setting up a quarantine tank do I have to cycle it before I get a new fish each time?
Also should I quarantine invertebrates and corals?
Last question is it important to add Cal to help corals grow. I would my corals to spread quickly once I get them. I am mainly thinking about zoanthids with a couple other kinds mixed in.
Thanks so much for your help. this is my first time posting.

 

[spanko]

First off welcome to SWF.com. Lots of great people here to help with your questions. Your list looks great. Normally go from the least aggressive to the most agressive. Firefish, Goby, clown, angel, wrasse IMO.
If you are going to leave the QT up and running always then now need to cycle each time. However be aware that if you do have some problem with a QT's fish it will be in your best interest to break the tank down before the next addition and recycle. It is important to add anything the tank needs, but only if you TEST for it first and the test shows that it is needed. Dose nothing unless you test first. Looking forward to seeing some pictures and of course you continued posting.

 

[dunhawk]

How would I clean the tank and equipment if one fish had a problem before I put another fish in?

 

[dunhawk]

also thanks so much for the advice i really appreciate it.

 

[spanko]

Originally Posted by dunhawk
http:///forum/post/3059457
How would I clean the tank and equipment if one fish had a problem before I put another fish in?
Everything out, clean and scrub the tank with a good vinegar solution, rinse well a number of times. Reset. This must include pumps, filters, heater etc.

 

[dunhawk]

thanks the vinegar was the really important thing I was after. also do you have an opinoin on adding a long nose hawkfish to my list above?

 

[j-ville]

QT is easy if you do it right. First start with adding some water from the main tank. Top off with new water RO, with salt, of coarse. Let sit 24 hours with circulation. Place a med size live rock, and ur good to go. I would only QT 1 fish at a time. I set up and break down my QT's as I need them. And I always do them in a 20 gallon plastic bucket. cheap and easy. Check parameters and do water changes as needed. With one fish in QT I rarely ever need to change water during QT. Has been 100% successful for me. Good luck.

 

[number1gsxxr]

Keep in mind if you have to medicate for any reason that any live rock you have in the QT cannot go back into the DT. For instance if you had to use copper it could leach out of the rock and kill your inverts.
I have heard that you shouldn't use any live rock for this reason. Or if you do to use a small piece of rubble that you don't mind throwing away. It would seem to me to be easier to not use any rock and just use a piece of PVC pipe for the fish to hide in.
I am in the process of setting up a QT and I plan to use a small hang on filter and keep the filter pad in my sump. Then when I need the QT I will take some water from my DT and the pad out of my sump and I won't need to cycle. This will allow me to break down the QT each time I am done to clean it and save electricity. Afterwards I will throw the filter pad away and place a new one back in my sump for next time.

 

[dunhawk]

I know this might sound silly but I can not get the answer. Do I have to QT inverts and corals? and #1 what if I dont have a sump?

 

[j-ville]

Yes, because parasites can ride in on your LR, corals, and inverts. Be sure that if you plan on placing LR directly into your DT that it has not been exposed to copper. If it has, use it only in your QT. Any QT that has been exposed to copper will not be sutable for LR (that will be going in your DT), corals, or inverts-it will kill them. You will need a separate, copper free QT for them.