Additions to my 18gal...

[Steeve]

Hi!

Here is my actual setup (running for about 6 weeks):

- 18 Gal "680 ViaAqua"
- 36W White + 36W Actinic
- 28lbs Live Rocks (18lbs of those were added 2 weeks ago)
- 1 Scarlet Hermit / 1 Blue Hermit
- 4 Astrea Snails / 4 Bumblebee Snails
- 1 "Whisper" Power Filter
- 1 "Bak-Pak2" Protein Skimmer
- 2 "900" Maxi-Jet PH

My water:

- 1.023 / NH3=0 / NO2=0 / NO3=0+ / pH=8.3 / Ca=400 / Alk 11dKh

After reading Michael Paletta book (The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide), here is what I plan to add in the next weeks/months:

- 2 "True" Black Perculas (mated)
- 1 Royal Gramma
- 1 Blood Shrimp
- 1 Brittle Star
- 3-4 Feather Dusters

And my questions are:

- I'd like to add a Cherub Angelfish instead of the Royal Gramma but I've read that Cherub need at least a 30Gal. Should I play "safe" and stick to my original plan?

- I've seen very small red starfish at my LFS (Fromia Milleporella I think) but can't find a lot of information about these. Would this fromia be appropriated for a small aquarium like mine?

- When should I start stocking the serious players in my aquarium? In what order?

Thanks for your help!


http://pages.infinit.net/nomainfo/DAY38.JPG

[RazerCorals]

Well I know how expensive those black percula are so I would say add them first though. Make sure you are confident in your setup and if you are not wait. Also test your water at least twice before you order the fish. Make sure you have no errors. Then get the gramma because if you get him first it will become too territorial.

Cherub Angel not a good idea in that small of a tank.

[Phish]

No angels for you PERIOD (look here it is . )

but seriously I wouldnt think of putting in an angel in anything less that a 30g, and angels are generally hit or miss, when it comes to 'reef safe' and mostly live in FOWLR setups. Black percs are quite expensive and I would like to add them last because of there price, and what if something happens and they die... but on the other hand you want a Royal Gramma... like watchman said, it would get too aggressive and territorial if you placed it in the tank first, If you had a 20L this would be perfect, but I might not opt for the Royal Gramma, if it picked on or beat up your black percs id probably piss you off a bit, and that could happen, I would say if you have a very secure lid, to go for a Firefish goby, because most Royal Gramma, are semi-aggressive fish.

But Good luck on whatever you choose, Your idea will work, but there may be some initial tension between the Gramma and the percs.

[Steeve]

Thanks for the replies...

Black Percs will definately be the main attraction in my tank so I wouldn't want any "third" fish that is likely to cause them problems.

But, beside the goby, does anybody have any recommandations for a colorful and interesting "third" fish for my tank?

Any other general opinions on my setup?

[nanoman123]

yelow watchman gobies and yellow clown gobies or if u want a small fish, a neon goby. they are all very attactrive

[Fishmonger]

I had an eel goby once it was a very cool fish and was dirt cheap too, it dug burrows and would stick his head out at feeding time, and occaisionaly other times too

[Phish]

A Jawfish would be rather interesting... Maybe you could try that.

[nanoman123]

i was also going to reccomend a jaw fish.

[Steeve]

A lot of interesting choices here...

I'll read about those species and keep you informed on my final choice!

Thanks to all :D

[RazerCorals]

Well if you have black and white you probably want to mix it up a little bit. Perhaps you could consider that firefish.

[nanoman123]

ya, i have a firefish and he is doing great! hes in my 10 gal nano. i reccomend a purple firefish they are my favorite! mine loves brine and krill. i had to train him to eat my flake.