Stocking Order

[Looselyhuman]

Hi folks,

 

I'm cycling my 2-week-old 20L, and don't plan on adding any fish for a couple of months, but want to get my stocking order figured out.

 

This tank has an ac300 DIY "fuge," a maxi-jet PH, 100w Visi-therm, 20lbs Aragonite "Select" and 21lbs Fiji LR. The lighting is a 30" Aqualight (2x 65w 50/50).

 

I'll be picking up some detritovores (Scarlet leg, Nassaria) this week.

 

Coral-wise, I'm thinking GSP, Zoanthids, Ricordea and Mushrooms (over the next several months). Later, I might try Anthelia and/or Nephthea, and maybe M. digitata some time down the road. My GF also wants a clam... I told her we'd talk about it next year.

 

As for fish and shrimp, I'd like:

 

1x Firefish

1x Royal Gramma

2x A. ocellaris "False Percula"

2x Skunk Cleaners

 

I know I should plan on the Firefish first, but am not certain which should go second, third, and fourth... ?

 

Also, I'm using RO water from the local grocery store, IO salt, and will figure out a DIY gravity-fed topoff with Kalkwasser. I'm hoping not to have to dose anything else.

 

Thanks, in advance,

Ian

[Looselyhuman]

Almost forgot, I'll be doing 10-20% w/c weekly.

 

Suggestions on any aspect welcome.

 

Ian

[birdman204]

cleaner shrimp should be first IMO. The the firefish , gramma, and then clowns. but thats a few fish in a 20L. I wouldn't put another in there. even then, the firefish may be prone to jmping.

[Isaka]

As was said, clowns last, they can be territorial of new fish that enter "their" domain, but if you add them last I seriously doubt you will have any problems. It sounds like you have patience, but resist the urge to put fish in rapidly, fish have a MUCH higher bio-load than corals. So add your shrimp, a fish, and from there I would say maybe a fish per month or two. The 4 fish you listed will do fine in a 20L but I wouldn't add more than that. Good luck.

[Looselyhuman]

Cool, thanks bird.

 

I'll play the stocking levels by ear. I plan to stock slowly, so will have time to observe behavior, health, etc, for at least a month between fish. [i know all noobs say this, but I mean it.]

 

BTW, I'm planning the "two very small clowns" approach... Maybe I'll skip the Firefish.

 

Opinions, if this was your tank, would you rather have a Gramma or a Firefish?

 

...GF is pretty set on the clowns...

 

Thanks again,

Ian

[Looselyhuman]

Thanks Isaka, we were typing at the same time.

 

Sounds like good advice.

 

Ian