New tank no fish?

craazybelly · 09/22/2019, 01:42 AM

Hello,

I’m currently cycling a new tank with dry rock & I would like to know if it’s a good idea to add corals before fish when I get my water at a good level?
I’m not very experienced and would like some opinions/Suggestions.

Tank size is 170gl
Thanks! 😊

mcgyvr · 09/22/2019, 06:15 AM

"Not very experienced" isn't a good match to corals..
Typically a new tank goes through ugly stages and often shifts in parameters that corals may not do well with..
I would hold off on corals for the first 6 months at least until you are sure you can maintain a stable system.

outssider · 09/22/2019, 03:01 PM

corals love fish poo.....yum....yum...

Sk8r · 09/22/2019, 06:17 PM

Go for inverts in your first stage. When you get past the green-hairy stage and can maintain clear glass, and low nitrates, it is possible to go with corals before fish, or with one or two fishes, but sort of like a new natural body of water, start with the lower life first and work your way up. The inverts will take care of some waste, but you will also have to feed them a little; and that will help your sandbed mature.

MondoBongo · 09/23/2019, 12:18 PM

i would agree with inverts first.

however, if you're really hot to try corals, you could probably get some softies that would do just fine. i had a kenya tree make it through the cycle of my first tank. normal mushrooms, colt, kenya tree, etc, all could be worth a try if you really want to.

09/22/2019, 01:42 AM	#1
craazybelly Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 36	New tank no fish? Hello, I’m currently cycling a new tank with dry rock & I would like to know if it’s a good idea to add corals before fish when I get my water at a good level? I’m not very experienced and would like some opinions/Suggestions. Tank size is 170gl Thanks! 😊

09/22/2019, 06:15 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	"Not very experienced" isn't a good match to corals.. Typically a new tank goes through ugly stages and often shifts in parameters that corals may not do well with.. I would hold off on corals for the first 6 months at least until you are sure you can maintain a stable system. __________________ Who me?

09/22/2019, 03:01 PM	#3
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	corals love fish poo.....yum....yum... __________________ Please don't feed the bears because the bears will become dependent on free handouts and forget how to take care of themselves …... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mixed reef mostly sps

09/22/2019, 06:17 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Go for inverts in your first stage. When you get past the green-hairy stage and can maintain clear glass, and low nitrates, it is possible to go with corals before fish, or with one or two fishes, but sort of like a new natural body of water, start with the lower life first and work your way up. The inverts will take care of some waste, but you will also have to feed them a little; and that will help your sandbed mature. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/23/2019, 12:18 PM	#5
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	i would agree with inverts first. however, if you're really hot to try corals, you could probably get some softies that would do just fine. i had a kenya tree make it through the cycle of my first tank. normal mushrooms, colt, kenya tree, etc, all could be worth a try if you really want to. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.