Mixed Reef Stock Suggestions Please?

[ShooterRick]

While I have kept salt water fish for some time, I am a novice when it comes to corals. I have several questions. First should the corals be introduced before the bulk of the fish stock after the cycle or later? Secondly I would like suggestions on the best beginner lps and sps corals to begin with and any supplements required. I am using Red Sea Reef Pro mix. My lighting system was based on coral needs.

Current stock moving from my fowlr tank is:
1 Jewel Damsel, 1 Yellow Tale Damsel, 1 Marroon Clown, 1 Purple Psuedochromis. Beefed up Clean up Crew.

Proposed fish to be added to the 72 gal bow front with total water volume of sump and 4 gallons in the skimmer approximately 90 gallons, are:
1 Flame Angel to be added last, 5 blue/green Chromis to be added first, 1 Two Spot Bristletooth Tang, Possibly 1 McCasker Flasher Wrasse not sure if compatable with the Psuedochromis yet,

2 Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp.
1 Bulb Anemone added about 4-6 months in.

Corals When and what? Frags or not?

[Reefing Madness]

Take your pick. LPS is pretty easy to care for.
LPS Corals: LPS Stony Corals and other Hard Corals for the Aquarium

I haven't dealt to much with SPS, so maybe the other guys can chime in on that one.

Timing, I'd wait at least 4-6 months for your system to stabilize and mature some, for SPS, and 3 months for LPS. Suppliments would be, change 10-15% water weekly. All the things your coral needs are in the salt mix. Or if you don't want to do it that way, you need quite a few supps. Also, some also feed phyto and plankton anyways. Some need spot fed.

[ShooterRick]

Take your pick. LPS is pretty easy to care for.
LPS Corals: LPS Stony Corals and other Hard Corals for the Aquarium

I haven't dealt to much with SPS, so maybe the other guys can chime in on that one.

Timing, I'd wait at least 4-6 months for your system to stabilize and mature some, for SPS, and 3 months for LPS. Suppliments would be, change 10-15% water weekly. All the things your coral needs are in the salt mix. Or if you don't want to do it that way, you need quite a few supps. Also, some also feed phyto and plankton anyways. Some need spot fed.

If I understand weekly water changes with a good salt mix eliminates the need for suplements. If you do water changes less often you will need to suplement. I currently do a 20% water change once a month with my fowlr and no problems. Bi weekly changes probably not a problem but weekly do to work schedules could be a problem. What are the alternatives?

I am also concerned about the Flame Angel and corals. The Fisheri Dwarf Angel may be a better reef choice but I am not overwhelmed with it astheticallly.

[Reefing Madness]

I would not adivse putting inany Angel, but I didn't say anything figuring that you wanted it. I know you researched them first.
Alternatives would be doing the same thing you are right now. The corals just burn through your Elements and ALK, CA and MAG. SO you'll just have to keep an eye on those close. Usually when your water quality goes down, the Corals are the first to let you know. But, keep in mind also, that all this talk is with a Reef, not just a few corals. If thats ll you plan on keeping, then I don't think you have to worry about the weekly water changes.

[ShooterRick]

I would not adivse putting inany Angel, but I didn't say anything figuring that you wanted it. I know you researched them first.
Alternatives would be doing the same thing you are right now. The corals just burn through your Elements and ALK, CA and MAG. SO you'll just have to keep an eye on those close. Usually when your water quality goes down, the Corals are the first to let you know. But, keep in mind also, that all this talk is with a Reef, not just a few corals. If thats ll you plan on keeping, then I don't think you have to worry about the weekly water changes.

I have about talked myself out of the Flame Angel. They seem to be somewhat unpredictable with corals. I have read the Flameback Angel is a better choice but it is the same genis. The genicanthus class seem to be reef safe but are large and IMO unattractive. Anyway an angel if I get one will be the last fish I add so plenty of time to decide. I am gonna start with a nem and a few frags and see how it goes. Last thing I want to do is get in where my schedule inhibits reasonable care.

[chrisfont23]

While I have kept salt water fish for some time, I am a novice when it comes to corals. I have several questions. First should the corals be introduced before the bulk of the fish stock after the cycle or later? Secondly I would like suggestions on the best beginner lps and sps corals to begin with and any supplements required. I am using Red Sea Reef Pro mix. My lighting system was based on coral needs.

Current stock moving from my fowlr tank is:
1 Jewel Damsel, 1 Yellow Tale Damsel, 1 Marroon Clown, 1 Purple Psuedochromis. Beefed up Clean up Crew.

Proposed fish to be added to the 72 gal bow front with total water volume of sump and 4 gallons in the skimmer approximately 90 gallons, are:
1 Flame Angel to be added last, 5 blue/green Chromis to be added first, 1 Two Spot Bristletooth Tang, Possibly 1 McCasker Flasher Wrasse not sure if compatable with the Psuedochromis yet,

2 Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp.
1 Bulb Anemone added about 4-6 months in.

Corals When and what? Frags or not?

I would not add an Angel. A McCosker Wrasse will be fine. The rest are fine. As for the corals, I think there are a lot of schools of thought. Once your tank is cycled, I am a believer it's ready for corals, as long as you keep up with maintenance. IMO, it's basically a "large water change" for them. Don't rely on my advice, but I basically moved every coral (but one) from the 29g to my 90g with no issues. The fish are a different story. I would move one every two weeks or so. Any starfish or shrimp should wait until that rock/sand is good and live.

[chrisfont23]

I would not add an Angel. A McCosker Wrasse will be fine. The rest are fine. As for the corals, I think there are a lot of schools of thought. Once your tank is cycled, I am a believer it's ready for corals, as long as you keep up with maintenance. IMO, it's basically a "large water change" for them. Don't rely on my advice, but I basically moved every coral (but one) from the 29g to my 90g with no issues. The fish are a different story. I would move one every two weeks or so. Any starfish or shrimp should wait until that rock/sand is good and live.

Editors note. The corals were also moved ore a two week period. I am not that nuts.

[Reefing Madness]

I have about talked myself out of the Flame Angel. They seem to be somewhat unpredictable with corals. I have read the Flameback Angel is a better choice but it is the same genis. The genicanthus class seem to be reef safe but are large and IMO unattractive. Anyway an angel if I get one will be the last fish I add so plenty of time to decide. I am gonna start with a nem and a few frags and see how it goes. Last thing I want to do is get in where my schedule inhibits reasonable care.

Well, I don't want to make it out as being that hard, because its really not. Just watch your water quality, and your corals. If your not heavily stocked, I would not worry about it. Alot of LPS, and SPS, and you will want to watch CA big time.

[ShooterRick]

Well, I don't want to make it out as being that hard, because its really not. Just watch your water quality, and your corals. If your not heavily stocked, I would not worry about it. Alot of LPS, and SPS, and you will want to watch CA big time.

I am going to strike an angel for now. Maybe later I will experiment with a Potters or Flameback but for now I will add a pair of Fire Gobys to the stock list in place of the angel. I am going to start off with a few frags and see how it goes with the corals and for sure a Nem for my Marroon clown fish.

Plan of Transfere:
Cycle 72 and add the school of chromis. 2 weeks later move 50 % of rock from the 30 and 2 of the fish. 2 weeks later the balance of the rock and last 2 fish. Of course I will check all parameters before each move. At that point the tank will be one month past its cycle. I will go on from there as I can based on the water parameters of the 72. The fish will come first since all will be reef safe. The frags will come last based on water quality tests and system performance. Nem will come at about 4-6 months.