First three months with my 55 gal

[janalta]

Thought I'd share pics of the progression of my 55 gal tank.
First set it up June 13, 2011, so I'm three months in now.

I discovered along the way that I'm loving corals even more than the fish I thought I'd be filling it with !
Wiht a limited budget, slowly stocking it as I can afford it...which is perhaps why I never had any major spikes or algae blooms...one minor one after I upgraded to the 4 bulb T5 HOs three weeks ago.
So far, no sump or fuge...hoping to be able to start building my own this winter....probably just a 10-15 gal, as room under my tank is limited.

1 yellow Tail Damsel ( was 2 until the one tried to kill my new clown )
1 Clown ( looks like an Ocellaris, but LFS had it labelled as a Perc )
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Assorted hermits and snails
Brittle stars ( all hitchikers )
Sand Sifting Star

LPS and Softies:
Two Zoanthid frags
Large Torch coral
Ricordia Mushrooms ( I think )
large colony of mini orange zoas
Three Small colt corals
Cabbage leather
Green and purple mushrooms ( one of each )
Tiny Orange monti frag
Frogspawn frag
Two small Pink Star polyps

Still trying to figure out which livestock to add next.....would like a mate for my clown for sure and would love a Coral Beauty or Dwarf Angel. Perhaps a wrasse..and down the road...definitely a Mandarin.

The addiction has begun......

[a.browning]

Looking great! I really like your aquascape. I have a 55 as well, what 4-bulb light/bulb combo did you get and are you happy with the upgrade?

[janalta]

Thanks !
I actually ordered through Aquatraders...got their 48" Odyssea - two HO T5s and two actinics..plus LED moon lights. So far I'm really happy with it, no complaints at all.
Other than the initial algae bloom....I've also had a huge increase in the coralline growth since I installed it.

[aecasasus]

Looking good!

[janalta]

Any suggestions for corals that I can add now that will give me height...and color?

I know it's only been 3 months...but since all of my softies and LPS are thriving....would it still be too soon to try a few SPS?

Also wondered which order I should be adding my next fish....or does it really matter?
Mate for my clown
Dwarf Angel - Coral Beauty/Lemonpeel/Flame Angel
Wrasse - six line or melanarus ( if I can find one locally )
Bi Color dottyback

Originally really wanted a Yellow Tang...but that will have to wait until I have a larger tank....would the dwarf Angels work for my tank..and how many could I keep together?

[liverup]

Originally Posted by janalta

Any suggestions for corals that I can add now that will give me height...and color?

I know it's only been 3 months...but since all of my softies and LPS are thriving....would it still be too soon to try a few SPS?

Also wondered which order I should be adding my next fish....or does it really matter?
Mate for my clown
Dwarf Angel - Coral Beauty/Lemonpeel/Flame Angel
Wrasse - six line or melanarus ( if I can find one locally )
Bi Color dottyback

Originally really wanted a Yellow Tang...but that will have to wait until I have a larger tank....would the dwarf Angels work for my tank..and how many could I keep together?

If you are going to try some sps I would suggest the lower light species, such as montipora digita.

[janalta]

Thanks for the advice on the SPS...do most of the other SPS need MH lighting then ??