Worms and Pods and 100 other questions

[lightcycler]

Well, maybe not 100 other questions.
I am at the point in setting up my 75 gallon FOWLR where I have snails (posted numbers in my aquarium log) in my tank and keeping them alive. System is looking better each day. 7 weeks old now. Coraline algae is growing. Water parameters are good day to day although yesterday saw a small amount of ammonia (0.25 ppm). I'm thinking of adding to the worms and pods population, but not sure what to add and where to buy? Feather duster worms? Looks cool. Started with Live Sand and Live Rock. Guess I'll get out the flashlight to see the pods? Looking at maybe a couple of shrimp? A pepermint and a coral banded. At any rate I've got a few months before looking at fish, but want to put forth my planned community and get some feedback. My planned list at this point

A Royal Gramma
A pair of percula clowns. Purchased 6 weeks apart of course
A Coral Beauty Angel

Does the above order of addition sound right?

Have it in my mind to add an anemone after 8 months of the system running.

So many options.........so much time to ponder lol.

[leebca]

We're here to help and answer questions, so ask as many as you can think of. BUT, if it is covered in another post or place, I will send you there to read, read, read.

The fish and order seem appropriate for the marine system you are planning. It is very good to plan. Good for you!

Pods and substrate life depends upon the kinds of fish and marine life you put into the system. For instance, you can go out and buy expensive and cool worms, pods, etc., then watch as your fish eat them up. Your choice of fishes will mean they will prey to some extent on the substrate life. So I wouldn't put $ and effort into any exotic substrate life forms at this stage.

I would just go with the life that comes in with your live rock. Pods and substrate life come and go as the system matures. Ultimately the life forms that dominate are the ones that find the captive environment the most suitable to their thriving (which includes the absence of predators).

There are Internet sources of many different kinds of interesting substrate life forms. I don't recommend any particular source, but you can Google for them; check some of the sponsors of Reefland; and perhaps others will provide some source suggestions.

Pods come in herbivore and carnivore categories. Whatever foods you provide or they find, will emphasize which group thrives. After that, it is up to the conditions of the system to drive the survival of the pods.

Post in the Reef Forum your questions about shrimp and other inverts to make sure the ones you have in mind are suitable to the system and have the 'personality' and needs you are willing to live with. ;)

[the_blue_tuna]

From my experience , although a beautiful fish , the Gramma will probably spend much of its time hiding , and the coral beauty will probably make life difficult on your duster.

[Reefland]

Jim, is that you?

[the_blue_tuna]

Hey Scott , yes it is . Hows life been treating you ? Well I hope.The board is really looking great. Dont want to hijack this thread so I will shut up now . Hope to catch up soon!!

[lightcycler]

Thanks for the comments. Jim your comment on the Royal Gramma has me thinking. I really want the Coral Beauty and the pair of clowns so the duster won't happen. I'm thinking I shouldn't start with the Coral Beauty so I have to start with one of the clowns or......figure out my fourth fish. Wanting colorful with a mind toward maybe adding coral down the road. Any favorites?

On another note. My tank is 2 months old now. Snails are in place and being fed. My nitrates are 0. Small persistent ammonia at 0.25 ppm and Nitrite around 0.1 or less. I don't think I"m doing anything wrong. The Nasarius snails clean up the live food pretty quickly although I could be slightly overfeeding.

[Live Rock Ricky]

my brazilian gramma only hides when the lights are off

[Reefland]

Hi lightcycler,

My guess is that your ammonia and nitrites are fine, it's just the test kits.

[lightcycler]

Hi lightcycler,

My guess is that your ammonia and nitrites are fine, it's just the test kits.

I've been using the red sea kits. Might try to get some LaMotte and see if there is a difference. Any other recomendations? Hell I might get some chemetrics kits a little more expensive but pretty good nessler kit.

[the_blue_tuna]

start with one of the clowns or......figure out my fourth fish. Wanting colorful with a mind toward maybe adding coral down the road. Any favorites?

Some fish that I think may fit what you are looking for might be something in the wrasse family or a goby or maybe even some green Chromis. You can find colorful fish in these families and I have found that the gobies and Wrasses have "personality" I would start studying up on these guys and you just might find that 4th fish in that group.

[lightcycler]

Thanks for the info blue. So many choices. Its a good thing though. This way I'm not tempted to rush things.
Once again shifting gears with this thread. Not seeing much in the way of life from the live rock? Not seeing worms or really anything I can make out. Tank is settleing in nicely but still wonder if I have all the life I should have. Tank is two months old now. Wide variety of snails in place.

[the_blue_tuna]

Thanks for the info blue. So many choices. Its a good thing though. This way I'm not tempted to rush things.
Once again shifting gears with this thread. Not seeing much in the way of life from the live rock? Not seeing worms or really anything I can make out. Tank is settleing in nicely but still wonder if I have all the life I should have. Tank is two months old now. Wide variety of snails in place.

In this hobby patience is not a virtue,,,,,its mandatory.

[lightcycler]

What is your experience with anthias family of fish? knowing i have a FOWLR system but may look at corals some day. For sure on a pair of false perculas and a coral beauty. Would like to add a couple of pep shrimp. The anthias family may not work with the shrimp?