Stocking Tips?

[nomar5050]

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on stocking my new 30 gal Reef Tank, and a timetable on when I should be adding different things.

I set up the tank last night, added 40 gal of Live Sand and water and started to run the canister filter (I have a protein skimmer too, but I think I'm returning it and getting a more expensive one. The LFS said I would be okay for a month or so without one as long as I kept up with water changes.

I'm going to the store today to get a couple pieces of Live Rock and Stability to aid in cycling the tank.

I was also going to get a couple hermit crabs/snails/shrimp to put in too. I know its a bit early, but the Live Sand said that you could add a couple fish immediately, and with the Stability too, I think it will be alright. The temperature has already settled, and the salt content is where it should be.

I plan on holding off on adding any fish to the tank for a couple of weeks. Any stocking tips for when I do? I was going to go with several smaller fish and then one bigger fish. Haven't done too much research into species yet so I was hoping to get some direction.

Thanks in advance.

 

[nomar5050]

Forgot to mention that I do plan on putting Coral in the tank. I've read that it's best to wait quite some time before putting Coral in, so I was going to wait for the Coral until after I had some fish stocked in the tank.

 

[Naiad]

Sounds like a good plan. Watch your parameters for any ammonia. You may not get much using all live sand, rock, and the bacteria. Use the cycle time to pick what fish you want.