How long to age a new Reef tank before adding dwarfvangek

[martin771]

I have a 38 gallon reef tank with about 45 lbs of live rock, an Ecosystem hang on the back filter (macro algea, miracle mud, etc) with a protean skimmer. I also have an EcoTech vortech m10 pump for water movement. The system has been set up for 7 weeks and there are a few inhabitants with cleaner crews, 2 mushrooms and two soft corals, a watchman goby, 2 clowns, and a feather duster. How long should I wait before I add a Flame Angel? Is 7 weeks long enough, or is more time desired? Water chemistry test out fine. Steve

[Reefing Madness]

WOW. You have added all that stuff in 7 weeks. Everything ok? Anything spike on you once you added to the bio load? No ammonia spike or anything? Hmm, welp, if you haven't had any water issues, I'd say go ahead with the fish.

[Original Fin]

How long ago was your last fish add? On new start ups, I'd err on the side of caution and give the system some time to settle out between adds. For me, I'm most comfortable waiting 6 weeks between adds. I'm also a big believer in quarantine for all new marine fish. I've seen too many people lose all their fish, or have to fight a long drawn out battle because they didn't.If you're experienced and already have a good idea of what diseases are out there, which fish tend to have them more often, and so on, you may have a comfort level with your own visual observations, but that is not a guarantee either.Especially if you're new to this, quarantining is the way to go. It's more work up front, but the pay off is big, and it might be the thing that keeps you from getting too discouraged and quitting the hobby.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

How long ago was your last fish add? On new start ups, I'd err on the side of caution and give the system some time to settle out between adds. For me, I'm most comfortable waiting 6 weeks between adds. I'm also a big believer in quarantine for all new marine fish. I've seen too many people lose all their fish, or have to fight a long drawn out battle because they didn't.If you're experienced and already have a good idea of what diseases are out there, which fish tend to have them more often, and so on, you may have a comfort level with your own visual observations, but that is not a guarantee either.Especially if you're new to this, quarantining is the way to go. It's more work up front, but the pay off is big, and it might be the thing that keeps you from getting too discouraged and quitting the hobby.

+1 on this. If I didn't use a QT process, I would have had to fight ich in the DT on 2 seperate ocassions.

[martin771]

My ammonia spiked to .25 about a week after adding the cured live rock. Nitrates to .2. Everything settled down to zero's before adding the fish and nothing but zeros on every test since. I had heard that the Flame Angel needed the tank to season more but can't seem to find a definitive answer on how much time. My next addition was going to be a bicolored Blenny, another good starter fish. Not looking to add the Flame anytime real soon, but wanted to see if any had a good advice on how long to wait. 4 months? 6?

The only angel I kept when I had the tank set up previously was a Coral Beauty.

Thanks for your input!

Steve

[martin771]

Oh yea ... The clowns were added a week ago and the yellow watchmen goby about 4 weeks ago along with a six line wrasse. Had to remove the wrasse when I added the clowns because he really went after them.

[Reefing Madness]

As long as your numbers are inline, your fish is not going to know how long you've had the tank set up. And if your numbers are all stable and have not jumped all over the place, you are safe. Your just trying not to get an ammonia bloom or start another cycle after adding, or that could spell disaster. But if you just added the clowns a week ago, I would wait another month before adding another fish. ( 4 weeks )

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I agree. I haven't come across any info that says dwarf angels need higher water quality or extra stability . A 38 gallon seems a bit small for it ( combined with your other fish), IMO.

[martin771]

Thanks guys!