Stocking order

[melvinudawl]

I'm looking for some suggestions on the order of adding my livestock. My tank is fully cycled (3 times now, as I put rock in 3 batches) and has been runny for a over 2 months now. No livestock except a couple hermits. I am adding my sump/fuge/skimmer next week. That'll probably cause another cycle just for fun, but at least i can ditch the canister filter. Once it settles down again, I'd like some advice on the sequence of adding my fish. Here's what I'm planning to add individually as I can:

2 Clown fish (undecided between b/w occelaris and true percula)
BTA
Orange spotted goby w/pistol
2/3 chromis
6 line wrasse


I'd obviously like to encourage the clown fish to host the BTA. The clowns are also the ones we would like to see in there first. From my reading here, i don't think my tank is mature enough to put the BTA in for a bit. Should I hold off on the clowns to introduce them with the BTA down the road? Or are they just as likely to find the BTA whenever it is introduced?

I figure now matter what, I'll be better served adding the 6 line last, as he'd likely be the most aggressive?

Also, any recommendations on a small schooling chromis?


Thanks!

[tewkes]

Add the chromis first.

I added my clowns before any anemone or corals. About 2-3 months after I had them I added a frogspawn that they host in. I'm waiting to see when I transfer everything to a bigger tank this weekend if they will still host in the same coral.

As far as the 6 line goes. If you absolutely have to have it, then I would definetly add him last. I had one in a previous tank, and needless to say experienced first hand how crazy they are. They are the most hyper-active fish I've kept. I would not buy another one, nor put one in my tank if it was free.

I would look into getting a smaller fairy/flasher wrasse. The filamented flasher, Mccoskers Flasher, etc... are all good fish with a more mild manner compared to the 6 line.

[tewkes]

Also on the chromis. Depending on the size of your tank (assuming its a 72 bowfront from your signature) I'd suggest getting at least 5-6 smaller chromis. It seems inevitable that they will start to pick on one another and knock a few off. I started with 5 and I'm down to 3.

[melvinudawl]

thanks tewkes. I know the six line can be pita, but I have to give it a go. Good news on the clowns. If they don't host the BTA when i add it, I'll just have to upgrade! You could always leave the frogspawn behind for a bit, maybe the clowns would go looking for a new home?

good luck on the transfer!

[melvinudawl]

Also, I figured I'd need add the chromis all at the same time? seems like alot to start off with. I do have a well overpowered skimmer in the sump and my 4.5in sand bed has all sorts of gruesome looking colors in the layers below the surface. I will have a clean up crew that'll go into the DT when the first fish go into QT. That said, idon't want to over do it.

thanks!

[melvinudawl]

bump