now what

[michael grady]

So...I think I'm ready to add some livestock. However, I'm a neebie and not sure what to add.

Here's the setup:

120 gal with 30 gallon sump plus 30 gallon refugium with macro algae growing.

Neptune apex
6 stage ro/di system
cycle complete and nitrates are now down to 1ppm (yay)
nitrate reactor with matrix in it.
calcium reactor on the way
DSB in tank and 100 lb sof dry marcos rock added at startup
lighting is 72 leds (DIY) with t-12 suppliments.

I'm waaayyyy out on the east side of town in Oxford...

what should I add to start??

Thanks guys!

Michael

 

[falos]

Did you add eny to cycle the tank if you have and your reading 0amonia and nitrate your safe to add to the tank I would start with a few corals maybe 1-3 softies or lps (frogspawn is a good newbe lps) and a fish or 2 then wait a week or 2before adding enything else
Just stay away from sps,(sum monties would be ok) dragonites and planktavores in till the tank is 3-6months old
Damsels 6lines are the devil stay away from them there a pain to catch in a big tank
Also look in to a pod culture for the tank most sponcers carry them
Best of luck with your tank and go slow with adding it takes time in this hobby if you rush it you will have a crash

 

[crobattt]

0 nitrites and ammonia, not nitrates. if you have nitrates that should mean your tank has finished the cycle. if so, i'd add a few small non-aggressive hardy fish that you know you want, don't add something just to add it. you could try some easier corals as well, just again make sure you want these, dont add something just to add something, it may turn into a pest.

 

[michael grady]

Thanks guys...

yes..0 amonia, o nitrites, and 1-2 ppm nitrates.

also, what is a 'pod culture'

 

[frantz]

pod culture is typically copepods and amphipods from what i've seen. Little crustaceans that make up the bottom food bracket for corals and dragonets and the like. Needed for reef tanks. I never bought a culture myself and got plenty on uncultured LR (I cycled my tank with this stuff, and dodged the bullet of unwanted hitch hikers).
Oh livestock choice, I agree with what everyone else has said. Only you can decide the direction you want your tank to go. If you give us an idea of what you are thinking of adding i'm sure folks here will give you the pros and cons of the decision. You really don't want other people picking your livestock though (unless they are your spouse or significant other who helps say yes to purchases)

 

[michael grady]

Hi Franz..thanks for the note. I'll check into some pods. Can I get them from the LFS?

ps...old cars? I'm re-doing a 16 model t. Is that old?

 

[frantz]

Yeah you can get pods at local stores. I'd call around and see who had them, my local shops aren't quite as local for you. Oldest car I ever worked on was a 29 A, so yeah, 16 T counts =-). If you ever need a hand on a bigger project let me know! I can still lift things and always looking for car adventures. My apartment won't let me keep unregistered pieces of treasure here and all my toys are at home... in Pennsylvania.