Developing a 100g Reef Tank from Start

[crimsontopper]

ive never used mangrove. from what ive researched doesnt seem as efficient as chaeto, so id stick with chaeto. it sounds like youre setting up the fuge well. a lot of the cleaner packs will include incompatible stock like snails and hermits. im more of a build to suit kinda guy. i'd do the snails, the shrimp and depending on how established your tank is a conch and some cleaner shrimp. maybe a bristle star too, although ive heard about them eating smaller fish so youd have to watch it. be careful about adding to the bio load too fast as that can cause algea blooms too.

 

[Sitkabluemoon]

Good advice - that helps a lot. I'll get that red algae out first, then get a few shrimp to get started. I'll scrub out that bad live rock this weekend and start getting the water chemistry set properly.

Thanks!

 

[Sitkabluemoon]

Added six turbo snails tonight.

 

[crimsontopper]

sweet

 

[Sitkabluemoon]

Sank you. Got the six big, fat turbo snails going tonight. LFS didn't have pistol shrimp, only peppermint, fire and cleaner shrimp.

 

[crimsontopper]

love them turbos. pistols can be hit or miss in stores. did you tell them to try to get you one? cause they should be able to get one in their next shimpment

 

[Sitkabluemoon]

Thanks. I'm going to head up to Bay Area to bigger store and check them for pistols this weekend. They have a bigger selection and may have the toadstool as well.:an26:

 

[Sitkabluemoon]

Checked out saltwaterfish.com for pistols and saw they had four different kinds. Tiger pistol looked pretty good - is one better than the other?They're also having a nice sale today - 20% off all live orders for new buyers today only. They had an absolutely gorgeous green mandarin on sale for $9, but I don't think my tank is ready for any new additions for a while. Also, going to start second tank with the rock from the original tank for quarantine purposes. Scrubbed the rocks pretty good today - all signs of aiptasia and bubble algae are now gone and a trace of hair algae left. Should I throw in some snails or shrimp with the rock and maybe some copepods to get the cycling going or let the rocks age a bit first? Also, question about chocolate chip starfish - local guy offered a couple of them, one was an attractive dark red color. I've heard they are okay for fowlr tanks, but not good if I plan on adding corals later. Is that correct?

Thanks