Adding new fish

[JJIM]

Is there a general timeframe that one should wait before adding new fish to the DT? I have recently added a tailspot blenny and a firefish (2 days ago) to my newly established tank, and now looking at waiting two weeks before I add a Blue Flasher Wrasse and a Osellaris Clown providing the tank water paremeters are stable? Thanks in advance... see my sig for details on what I have in running on tank currently.

[Shane Hoffman]

2 weeks is what i waited inbetweeen fish when stocking my tank. I would wait a month if the last addition caused any spike in amonia or nitrates.

[gdsmith56]

waiting two weeks is not a bad idea but could be a bit long given the amount of rock you have and the size of the two fish you've already added. Watch your ammonia and nitrites to see if there is a measurable spike - I doubt that you'll see one. After one week with no spike you should be able to add another fish. Two weeks would still not be bad though.

[gtfourmn]

I think it also depends on whether your live rocks came from an established system which should speed up bacteria growth and enable you to add more bio load faster.

[lwolfe44]

yea better to be on the safe side and wait the 2 weeks..... fish arent cheap

[jbardwel]

I would wait, you also want to make sure that your fish arent diseased and infect the newly introduced ones

[cuda70bill]

My tank has been up a month now, when I started I used 110 pounds of cycled rock that was in estabished tanks, at least 60 pounds of established sand and 65% of the water was from my friends tank when he did his water changes. I put my first fish in after 2 weeks, according to my reef shop it cycled pretty quick now I was buying a fish every 3-4 days and there are 30 corals,{ see pic } as long as your levels are good then proceed but always do it with caution, just an opinion

[Frogmanx82]

+1 on jbardwell. Since they were your first fish you didn't quarantine. The usual quarantine time is 4 to 6 weeks. I'm betting though that you are not planning on quarantining the new arrivals.

What you should really do is get a QT tank set up, buy the new fish as soon as you have a good bacteria colony set up in the filter, and in 4 weeks add them to the DT tank.

If you are just going to take your chances, ask a lot of questions about the new fish, make sure they are eating, see how long they have been at the lfs, the longer the better. Get a good hard look at them.

As far as the cycle goes I would wait two weeks before adding your planned purchases.

[Haxsaw]

I started with a purple firefish, waited 2 weeks and added a red velvet flasher wrasse (awesome fish!) and an ocellaris clown. I am now in the process of getting a QT set up before I add my last 2 fish. I want to add a Semilavartus (Golden) butterfly and one of the following: Flame Angel, Multicolor Angel or a Potter's Angel. Still trying to figure out how to set up the QT for these 2 fish. Do I add a bit of live rock to the bare bottom and let it sit for a few months the tank to mature before getting the fish? And, should they be added together or Butterflyfish then Angel?

[Jonny Roks]

base adding fish on levels, i atleast wait a week but like others i would suggest 2 weeks,

[JJIM]

Thanks for info, thus far no spikes on day three at all. These are rather small fish and with the filtration and live rock and sand it appears to be holding its own keeping down the ammonia and nitrates. Current levels are:

PH- 8.3
NO-1.0
AM-0.0
Ca- 540 (little high here)
KH- 10
PO- 0.0
Mg- 1300

Yes, you are correct Frogman, I am not planning on the QT. I understand it's importance, and had one in the past 10 years ago (never used it) when I kept fish and a few leathers. It is just not a viable solution for me and my current situation. I plan on good care with varied food to keep the fish nurtured, and if something should falter I will add more TLC. QT's are for some, and others have their respective reasons for not having them, and I respect both sides.

[Frogmanx82]

I agree QT is a pain. Since you're early in the process of stocking, you don't have so much to lose and your fish are replaceable. Once you get breeding pairs and fish get some personality in the tank they are harder to replace and taking a chance on a new fish becomes too big a risk.

Good luck, sounds like your pretty on top of things.