[bvanover]

hello all! First time post here.

I am currently in the midst of setting up my first reef. I don't even have water in it and I'm already a reefoholic. Anyways, here's my specs so far:

90g drilled
20g sump with fuge
Asm g3 skimmer
DSB ~5in
100lbs previously live rock + 20lbs live coming soon

My kids and i originally decided to base the population with a couple of amphiprion ocellaris and a frogspawn coral. These will be the first inhabitants.

Since then, I have found the rest of my population to be a toss up. I'm bleeding out of my eyes reading about all kinds of corals and fish. I would really like to showcase symbiotic or generally interesting behavior. I especially like the watchman goby and shrimp pairing.

So, my question. Can anyone give me suggestions based on experience of your favorite coral/fish to keep for the symbiotic or interesting behavior? I would prefer keeping it as peaceful as I can. And I am willing to base my lighting/aquascape decisions on the life.

Thanks!
Brad

[afloyd]

I have a school of chromis that I love to watch. They are always out in the open. They began to school as soon as I placed them in the tank. Mine have been happy together for a year or so now. Others might disagree with me, as I do know that some have had problems with aggression. Although, this has not been a problem for me. They are also a very easy fish to begin with. I think they could live through almost anything. Although, of course, I do not believe it is good to cycle a tank with fish. I am sure you will get some good suggestions from others also. Have fun planning your new aquarium.

[e_baer]

There are so many different kinds of neat creatures you can get, whether is be the well known clown and anemone, shrimp and goby, or even the urchin and cardinal fish.

As the above post says, chromis are very neat to watch. If you decide to go with a school of chromis, make sure its an odd number. I have been told and read that this will reduce the risk of aggression.

Make sure you set up your tank properly the first time. It is not fun setting up a tank, adding hundreds of dollars worth of animals just to watch them die over a short period of time.

If you want advice from a lot of smart reefers, go onto chat around 830-9 eastern time or so. Good luck!

[bvanover]

@afloyd - how many chromis do you keep? And I am not cycling with fish.

@e_baer - I have read a bit about the cardinal/urchin relationship. Do most cardnsls exhibit this behavior? I think I read about the bangaii. What about the pajama?

[afloyd]

I have a school of five chromis. I am glad you have read enough to know not to cycle using fish. It seems you have done a lot of reading. I just wanted to make it clear, when I mentioned that they were tough fish, I did not mean they should be used in this way. I would hate for someone else to get the wrong idea. I just feel they are a good fish for a beginner.

[bvanover]

gotcha. I'm am in no hurry and plan on using the cycling period to get used to the equipment and maintanence. Also, I plan on setting up the Qt at that time. My stock plan will progress over a fairly long time frame. Thanks for the advice though!

[unclejed]

"My kids and i originally decided to base the population with a couple of amphibian ocellaris and a frogspawn coral. These will be the first inhabitants".

Hello, corals are usually put in some time down the road not in the beginning. It is o.k. to add a couple fish after the initial cycle but not coral. Make sure you add your live rock a little at a time over a month or so to allow the tank to "catch up" biologically. After initial set up and first live rock addition add live bacteria to boost the bacteria base and each time you add more rock add more bacteria. Take this slow and don't let anxiousness and inpatients lead you to unnecessary head aches and problems.

[e_baer]

I do not know about the pajama cardinals.

[malawiman]

i have a frogspawn coral and a toadstool leather and i heard that the clown may host in either so that might help + the toadstool is cool lookin and peacefull.