CUC, Pods, or Fish first?

I have just started my tank about two weeks and a half ago. I know I have another three weeks ahead of my before I can begin to add livestock to my tank but I was wondering if you guys could give me your expert opinions on this question. Which should be added to my tank first?

I want to start up copapods in my tank to help feed my fish and I want them to flourish and not be wiped out.

I need a clean up crew but I really don't know if I should add them before the fish, before the copapods, or with the pods. Also, what is the best clean up crew to start with and what do you reccomend?

Finally, since this is a new tank should I add my two clowns I want to start out with first to help with the tank cycle? I am afraid they will stop the copapods from flourishing by eating them off too fast and also afraid that algae will take over my tank. My second fish livestock I want to add is a lawnblower blenny so maybe I should add that first?

All opinions and help will be really appreciated,
Thanks.

 

How big is the tank?


Your cycling still from the sounds of it. You could the clowns now... but it is not necessary and you run the risk of killing them. There are some on here who are adamant about not cycling with live fish - I am not one of those people...

Once your ammonia and nitrites zero out - I would start adding pods then. They are extremely hardy.

Once the nitrates lower to ~20, I would add the CuC which I highly recommend getting from http://www.reefcleaners.org and following their advise.

Once the CuC has settled in and started making a dent in the nastiness, I would then start adding fish (one fish every 3-4 weeks (in the case of a paired up set of fish, add them together)).

 

lawnmower blenny's can starve if your tank doesn't have plenty of algae for it to mow down. I wouldn't put one in a small tank or in a new one.

 

Thanks very much. I have a 30 gallon tank. My ammonia is going down now and my Nitrites are sky rocketing so I only have a little more. What of and how many should my CUC consist of?

 

cool. Often the cycle is like a roller coaster. Don't trust your first 0 reading of ammonia or nitrites You are wanting it be stable and consistently 0 for a week or two before adding anything and then give it a chance to "catch up" to the added bioload (pods and CuC bio load is negligible and can be ignored IMO)

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Stay extremely patient and you should do well.

Now... where are the pics?

 

Like Peredhil, I would recommend reefcleaners. He has a form to fill with some info about your tank. He will then recommend a CUC for you.

 

Oh I didn't know that, alright I'll definitely do that.

Here is a pic a few days ago.


Here it is after the red diatoms started to really take hold over my tank.






I had another quick question. I am really wanting to get a Mandrin evetually but how do I know I have enough pods in my tank or him to survive? How long should I wait after adding them before I even attempt to add the mandrin in?

Thanks.

 

if you want a mandrin dont get the clowns. The clowns will eat the pods too. My 46g reef tank has a population of zoos i never see with only a dottyback and a clown, but they are ALWAYS grazing the rocks. I kept a spotted mandrin in there for over a year with feeding any of them and they were all fat and healthy but I also have 60-70 pounds of live rock. I would think in a 30 you couldn't keep your mandrin alive with the clowns unless you set up some sort of fuge and get alot more live rock in there.

 

dont get mandarin in a tank that size. they need a lot of pods and that tank cant substain them for too long.