When to Add Corals?

1F2FRFBF · #1 04/07/2007, 09:54 PM

Hi All...

It appears that my tank is just about done cycling - my ammonia, 'trates and 'trites have been reading zero for better than a week, had some brown algae come and go, and have some nicely developing areas of coralline. I've also had two Skunk Cleaner shrimp and a Potter's Angel in for just under a week, and they appear to be doing well.

So here's my question - when is it "safe" to start adding corals? I do realize that keeping any SPS will have to wait for a good while, but what about LPS or softies?

Thanks in advance!

murfman · #2 04/07/2007, 10:06 PM

Corals won't put a strain on your bio load like fish will. You can start adding any time.

Blown 346 · #3 04/07/2007, 11:38 PM

I agree,I would start to add softies first and then slowly move forward.

drummereef · #4 04/08/2007, 12:19 AM

Yep, I actually prefer to add corals before fish. Makes the fishies feel like home when they get there. And it give the tank a little time to settle in and for you to make any adjustments necessary before adding them.

1F2FRFBF · #5 04/08/2007, 12:44 AM

Thanks for your responses, folks!

Looks like I'll be adding corals this coming week.

Willjs7 · #6 04/08/2007, 01:14 AM

If you dont have Alk and Calcium test kits, now is the time.

michaeldaly · #7 04/08/2007, 05:18 AM

I also put in corals before I added the first fish as the abount of bio-load a coral adds compared to a fish is very small.

cplklegg · #8 04/08/2007, 05:19 AM

Just wondering if a tank should be "aged" or stabilized for 6-12 months before adding corals like it states in Pocket books Marine Inverts?

michaeldaly · #9 04/08/2007, 05:39 AM

No, thats not necessary as long as you keep up good maintenance , ye I would wait a while before adding SPS or a clam to allow the tank to stabilize and for you to get some experience keeping easier corals.

Frick-n-Frags · #10 04/08/2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cplklegg
Just wondering if a tank should be "aged" or stabilized for 6-12 months before adding corals like it states in Pocket books Marine Inverts?

yes that still applies.

and human nature still applies, as in nobody waits like they are supposed too.

to be fair though, I think one should try little guinea pig corals right along after cycling. hardy frags like zoos or Montipora d. from friends are no loss if they die, and some tanks work right out of the chute after cycle