Fish or coral first?

[m00u1111]

Hi all,
New to reefing, had a fish only tank before. Ok, so i've been scouring this site and most of the internet regarding adding fish or coral (reef tank) to a newly cycle tank (approx 2 months old and cycled with cured live rock) and all parameters are looking good. Added my CUC 3 wks ago and parameters are holding well. My questions is do I add coral or fish first? I've read on this site that coral first, however, majority of threads online say the opposite. Does it even matter? I got 100 g tank and planing to add only 4 to 5 fish.

Also, do you recommend adding 4 coral at a time or should that number go up or down? Same question on fish. Can I add all of them or just a few and check parameters before adding more?



Thanks All.


Mike

 

[Zoarder]

Just take it slow since your tank is fairly new. You can add 1-2 fish at a time and wait maybe a week or so for the bacteria to catch up with the bio load. What are your current parameters now?

 

[BeanMachine]

Fish, as long as they're healthy, are the easiest to keep alive. Once you start getting into corals you'll need to monitor other parameters such as alk cal and mag.

Not QT'ing is your only obstacle, but once they are disease free , or you don't have an ich outbreak after not qt'ing... fish are a walk in the park.

 

[m00u1111]

Well thanks for that, however, can you comment regarding fish or coral to be added first?

Sal 1.025
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrates <.5ppm
Calcium not measured yet
Mag not measured yet
Phos not measured yet
PH appox 8.2
alk not measured yet

 

[BeanMachine]

I did. Fish

 

[JDEllis]

There is really no general rule on fish or coral first...."MOST" people will recommend fish first as usually they are a little easier and require less knowledge/time/testing/exp/etc also they are usually a little cheaper. Although it would really be your decision. I would recommend starting with your cheapest fish and maybe a frag to test the waters. Always best to wait about a week in between adding fish or groups of fish in order to regain biological stability in the tank.

 

[m00u1111]

Thanks everyone!! Love this site. So much info from the members.


Mike

 

[Zoarder]

Well thanks for that, however, can you comment regarding fish or coral to be added first?

Sal 1.025
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrates <.5ppm
Calcium not measured yet
Mag not measured yet
Phos not measured yet
PH appox 8.2
alk not measured yet

I'd start with fish then buy a nice test kit for corals like red sea or salifert. Once you get used to testing and see your parameters are stable, start with soft coral which are easier and cheaper and move up from there. Good luck!

 

[babyjess210]

Just take it slow since your tank is fairly new. You can add 1-2 fish at a time and wait maybe a week or so for the bacteria to catch up with the bio load. What are your current parameters now?

Lol. Or be like noah. New fish and coral every day.

I do fish and maybe some easy coral to check your bioload

 

[Zoarder]

Lol. Or be like noah. Nee fish and coral every day.

I do fish and maybe some easy coral to check you bioload

Can't help it -_-

 

[Jhuneke]

I think fish.. Keeping in mind only REEF safe. Starter coral and begin testing/ dosing .. The it's a free for all! Good luck! Hopefully you have more self control than most.. Myself at the top of that list!

 

[m00u1111]

I think fish.. Keeping in mind only REEF safe. Starter coral and begin testing/ dosing .. The it's a free for all! Good luck! Hopefully you have more self control than most.. Myself at the top of that list!

LOL.... Im second on that list!!

 

[lowbudget]

i like to do fish first because what im thinking, fish help cycle the tank faster. i always used a tester fish to check if my tank is ok

 

[rayray]

Fish, so youll have something to look at while your tank properly cycles.

 

[Jhuneke]

^^ that! .. And the fish 'feed' the corals!!


Sent from my blinged out girly iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CrayCrayFish]

Add in the fish first after the cycling has finished. The fish will indicate the health of the system so start with a hardy one like a damsel. Corals should come after adding some fish in because the waste produces help feed the corals and having them established and healthy makes it a lot easier in the long run. Don't rush the corals because they are the most sensitive and expensive!

 

[Tangwich]

safe to say someone is trying to meet the min post count to sell something?

 

[BeanMachine]

At least its good info as opposed to "Nice Tank" or "Nice Coral"

 

[Fly5150]

safe to say someone is trying to meet the min post count to sell something?

To go with his for sale ad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tangwich]

At least its good info as opposed to "Nice Tank" or "Nice Coral"

By telling someone to add a damsel first? Yup, real good advice there...smh