Newbie with a lot of questions

[t_nix]

We are building a 92 gal corner tank and are planning on creating a reef tank. I am wondering if you all would mind lending me your knowledge on the following topics. Thank you again for all of your help!

Once we have the tank running, do we need to add phytoplankton for the cheato in the refugium? If so, how much and how often. (our rock is cured but dead and the sand is new)

Once it has been cycled for a few weeks and the nitrates and ammonia are gone, do we need to do a water change and then recheck the chemicals before adding the clean up crew or just add the clean up crew? How often do you test and do water changes once you've established your tank?

I've read that you shouldnt add one of those commercial clean up crews because there wont be enough algea for them to eat. What do you reccomend we start off with?

How many pounds fo rock would provide adequate hiding places for our fish?

We are planning on having some clownfish, yellow tang, blue hippo tang, banggai cardnial, and maybe some bartletts anthias. I know not to add them all a once, but I was wondering if there was a recomendation of in which order to add the fish so that there isnt agression among the fish.

I think that is all for now, but I am sure I will think of a lot more! Thanks again for your help!

 

[llewella]

t_nix;490935 wrote: We are building a 92 gal corner tank and are planning on creating a reef tank. I am wondering if you all would mind lending me your knowledge on the following topics. Thank you again for all of your help!

Once we have the tank running, do we need to add phytoplankton for the cheato in the refugium? If so, how much and how often. (our rock is cured but dead and the sand is new)
I believe all it needs is some light. It will absorb nitrates for food..

Once it has been cycled for a few weeks and the nitrates and ammonia are gone, do we need to do a water change and then recheck the chemicals before adding the clean up crew or just add the clean up crew? How often do you test and do water changes once you've established your tank?

I did a water change after my cycle. I do a 20% water change byweekly, or more often if needed. I test every few days.. if the levels are off I usually do a water change.. Are you running a skimmer? (recommended) If not you may have to do water changes more often.

I've read that you shouldnt add one of those commercial clean up crews because there wont be enough algea for them to eat. What do you reccomend we start off with?
Then added about 10 snails, 10 hermits and a turbo snail to start. You can add more as you have more to clean up. (After algae starts growing and you add fish)

How many pounds fo rock would provide adequate hiding places for our fish?
In a 90g I would add about 100 lbs depending on the kind of rock. Some more porous rocks are lighter and you would need less.

We are planning on having some clownfish, yellow tang, blue hippo tang, banggai cardnial, and maybe some bartletts anthias. I know not to add them all a once, but I was wondering if there was a recomendation of in which order to add the fish so that there isnt agression among the fish.

I will let someone else comment on this. I'm not sure.. I would guess add the tangs last.. they are the most likely to be aggressive.. would probably add the cardinals first. They are very non aggressive..

I think that is all for now, but I am sure I will think of a lot more! Thanks again for your help!

No problem and welcome to the club!

 

[gnashty]

Tangs need alot of room to swim, a 92 (especially a corner) may not have the adequate space for them in the long run. A small hippo may do fine but the yellow will be SO aggressive I wouldnt do it personally - he will harrass the whole tank and may never stop. if you do add a YT, add him last. most ppl recommend a 6 ft or larger tank for tangs, mine is 7 ft and my tang looks like he could use a couple more..

The clownfish will also be very aggresive so add them before the YT.

As far as the rock goes, Rule of thumb is 1-2 lb for every gallon of water, but for filtration - not swim room. do what you think looks good in the tank as far as crevices, arches, and hiding spots. I have seen ppl dead set on following this rule and end up with so much rock the fish cant swim and have to hide all day. all depends on the rock but Barb is right - about 100 lb should do it

 

[jrocker1]

Not only do you not need to add phytoplankton, but it may do harm. The Chaeto is photosynthetic, so it won't use the food if you put it in there. Depending on whether you have filter feeders in the tank, you could just be adding extra stuff that will end up dying and making your nitrates go up in the long run. No disrespect intended to the previous poster, but plants (and algae) don't eat nitrates. They just take it up as a nutrient to help them grow.