First Ever Reef Build - 55g

need some advice....

Next week or early the next I am going to try and add another fish and wait a while before I add anymore (LFS suggested adding another fish soon so my clowns don't think they own the tank.

With that being said, I would really like to start adding some easy corals frags (really like the vivid frogspawns). Any suggestions on what are easy to start and what I need to do to prepare/set my tank ready for them to be added. As always, your help is greatly appreciated ;D

 

I have very little coral experience and xenia is very hardy and grows well with not so perfect parameters....I have a hairy mushroom doing well and some mushrooms but they aren't growing .....I would say xenia and mushrooms would be a nice start....

 

Mushrooms it is. What about green zoa or green star polyps? Have a good opportunity at getting those for pretty cheap.

Also, anyone help me with what this could be?

 

also here is a pic of my clowns

 

Nice clown pair!

Those are good choices. I would wait until your tank is 5-6 months old and running nice and stable before adding the frogspawn.

If you get the xenia or green star polyps, put them on their own rock and keep it isolated from your others if you can. They have a reputation for taking off and spreading like weeds once they get started. But, they do add some nice motion to your tank.

 

Have a good opportunity at some cheap green star polyps and green zoas. Any one think they would be a bad idea to add right now?

 

Should be fine. They are hardy and will grow good under those lights. Just as was stated before, put GSP on isolated rock if you can, cause in a long run, they'll take over your tank otherwise.

If you want to make sure they are very happy, consider buying Cal/Alk/Mag test kits and dosing Calc/Alk as needed between water changes. Proper Cal/Alk will also encourage coraline algae growth on your rocks, should color up nicely over time.

I been using Seachem's Reef Carbonate and Reef Calcium Complete with great success.

P.S. you might actually have to turn those lights down a bit at first to let corals get used to LED lighting. I'd start at 40% and slowly ramp up over cpl of weeks.

 

sounds good. i just ordered the reef test kit so once I get those checked ill be able to use the additives. thanks. going to get those in this weekend.

 

alright everyone, need some advice again, trying to research what fish to get next.

LFS opened me back up to the idea of getting a hippo tang (from what I've read my tank is on the small end but people have done it) and my fiance really likes them.

The other fish I have my eye on is the flame angel. Also on the fence about him. Seems they could go one way or the other on how they live with corals and I my main focus is corals in this tank, really only want to have 5 fish or so.

The last fish I am considering is a mimic yellow tank, just saw them for the first time last week.

What would you guys suggest? Looking to learn from what everyone did and what they wish they would have done

 

Out of those 3, the only one I can recommend is the Flame Angel for that size tank. Blue Hippo Tang is a big NO in a 55. Shame on your LFS for even suggesting it. They need a 180 gallon tank or bigger. The Mimic will likely outgrow the 55 as well, as they get up to 8" according to Live Aquaria. That would be very tight in a tank that is only 12" wide.

Now, regarding the Flame Angel, I am now on my 3rd try with them. This should be one of the last fish added, once the tank has matured so it can graze off of the live rock.

Look into wrasses, there are plenty that will do well in a 55, especially Fairy or Flasher. Basslets such as Royal Gramma are good. Could do a smaller Hawkfish. And plenty of Gobies and Blennies that fill the bill as well.

Edit: P.S. - thank you for asking here first, before just listening to your LFS! You will do well in this hobby if you do your research before impulse buying