Need help / questions on my new 55 Gallon Reef

[Jay Hemdal]

The reef has been up for 3 months so, yes, it is still in it's 6 -12 months maturation period. Unfortunately I did not do the research that I should have and the goby did die. All the other fish in the are still doing OK, acting and eating well.

I will be doing a 10% water change every other day this week to help get my numbers back to where they should be.

Temperature 80 (Just due to ambient room temperatures)
High Range pH - 8.2
Nitrite - 0.25 ppm
Ammonia - 0.50 ppm
Nitrate - 40p ppm
Calcium - 400
kH - 145 ppm
Phosphate - 0.25 ppm
Salinity - 1.024

Aquamaxx 1.5 Protein Skimmer
Marineland Polishing Internal Cannister (Using activated carbon)
Currant USA PRO IC Dual 48"
2x eflux 660 - Pointed at each other on surge mode with alternating activations. 100% flow 10 second ramp time.

Current fish
2 black and white oscilarus clowns (2 months)
2 benggai cardinals (3 weeks)
1 skunk cleaner shrimp (3 weeks)
1 pincushion urchon (6 weeks) - May be rehomed to a more established tank. It's been eating algae + i've been supplementing with nori twice a week.
CUC - 7 Nassarius, 6 Blue Legged Hermit Crab, 5 Trochus.

I currently have a Pulsing Xenia that ive had for 3 weeks that is doing great. Will I be OK to start picking up additional soft / LPS corals or should I still hold off for a while?

You could slowly add som hardy corals, but I wouldn’t load up on too many at once - your tank will likely go through a series of algae blooms/stages that can be rough on corals.
Jay

 

[Takashix2]

Thanks for the response. I will aim to start off slowly.

Are there any corals that should be absolutely avoided in a young tank that you often see beginners make the mistake of getting?

 

[Jekyl]

Thanks for the response. I will aim to start off slowly.

Are there any corals that should be absolutely avoided in a young tank that you often see beginners make the mistake of getting?

SPS and LPS. Start with softies. Even then wait until the tank is 2 or 3 months old.

 

[Jekyl]

Thanks for the response. I will aim to start off slowly.

Are there any corals that should be absolutely avoided in a young tank that you often see beginners make the mistake of getting?

Also anemone, wait until closer to a year old.

 

[Takashix2]

Good afternoon. Question on water quality testing and dosing. Do these numbers look OK. Is there anything I should be dosing on top of weekly 10% water changes.

Age 4 months

Stocking 2 Oscilaris Clowns, 2 Benggai Cardinals, 1 skunk cleaner, CUC, Zoa, Xenia, Favia, Platygyra, Candycane, Blastomusa, Duncan, Frammer, Hammer, Torch. The corals were already on order before I got the message that I should hold off on LPS :/ Feeding corals with reef roids twice a week.

All fish and corals are doing well. I just want to keep it that way. Feeding corals with reef roids.

Refractometer Salinity 1.0245 / 33%

Using API Liquid Tests (Soon to be replaced by Hanna or Salifert)
High Range pH 8.2
Ammonia 0.25 ppm
Nitrite 0.0 ppm
Nitrate 40 ppm
Phosphate 0.25 ppm
Alkalinity 9dKH
Calcium 360 ppm

Using Salifert
Magnesium 1290 ppm

 

[Takashix2]

In addition to the above question, any thoughts on this stocking.

2x Oscilarus Clown
2x Benggai Cardinalfish (May be rehomed)

Possible additions
Scopas Tang
Fairy Wrasse
Royal Gramma
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Beauty Angel
Naoko Wrasse
Golden Midas Blenny