Beginning Additions

[leon1972]

As I have been cycling my first tank I have been doing some research on what I want to put in it. I want a COLORFUL tank for now. I am looking at a pair of clownfish, Orange/Green Colony Polyps and a Blue Tuxedo Urchin.
I have read the Polyps take care of themselvs for food as they contain a Symbotic Alage that they feed on.
The Urchin concerns me though because I read it has a voracious appetite for algae. Is there a certain time period for algae to build up I should wait to add this intersting and cool looking fellow? Are there any visual cues I should use or any ways I can speed up the algae process?

 

[SarahSmile]

You never want to speed up anything in the saltwater hobby. Especially algae! I'd wait a while to add an urchin, they don't tolerate high nitrates and aren't that forgiving overall. Stick with the easier guys in the beginning. Just my two cents.

 

[Smitty]

+1 Sarah...I'd wait on the urchin until he is needed.

 

[MikeG]

+1 Sarah. I waited about 6 months to let my 180 mature before I moved my long spine urchin over from my 36. And after only a few days I can follow the trail he has taken (eaten) across my rocks removing the algae and coraline along the way.

 

[leon1972]

Ok ill just go with the clownfish then the polyps for the moment. They will DIEFINATLEY make a colorful addition to my tank!!!

 

[leon1972]

Im thinking a pair of clown fish, a pair of Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse and the Orange/Green Colony Polyps to start. NOT all at once, of course. lol

 

[little_fish]

Sounds good, but make sure you get a male/female pair or two females of the wrasse otherwise they will fight

 

[leon1972]

It will be a male female pair for the wrasse, I want a pair to get the Males color flashing effects you get with a pair

 

[wontonflip]

And make sure you take your time adding fish :D Just 1 or 2 at a time with a gap of a 1-2 months in between.

 

[little_fish]

You can buy two females and one of them will become male

 

[leon1972]

The wrasse, the clownfish, or both?

 

[chichimom79]

The wrasse. With clownfish it works the opposite way- the dominant becomes the female. :)

 

[little_fish]

+1 chichi

 

[leon1972]

And this goes for both the clowns and the wrasse?

 

[little_fish]

no, clowns are all born male and the dominate one will become female. All flasher wrasse are born female and the dominate one will become male.

 

[jr7168]

The wrasse. With clownfish it works the opposite way- the dominant becomes the female. :)

one victory for woman kind. haha j/k