introduction

[glenn baker]

i will be setting up a 180 gal salt water tank and want to know if i can not afford all the fish at once, then how do you introduce them a couple at a time when i CAN afford them and not have the others fight them for territory?

 

[NC2WA]

Glenn,

First, welcome to RF.

Second, planning.

You should have a list of all the fish you want in your tank FIRST. From there, introduce the most passive ones first and aggressive ones last.

For example, in my 375 gallon, I knew exactly the fish I wanted (mostly large angels and tangs). I started by adding small fish first, wait 2-3 weeks, then added more fish, wait another 3 weeks, etc. To make a long story short, the last fish I added was an emperor angel as it was the most aggressive. It took me almost 2 yrs to stock the tank.

I am not saying it will take you this long, but I am old fashion and like to wait a good portion of time before I added additional fish.

any questions,let me know
Kirk

 

[07FocusST]

You just have to know which are best introduced in multiples at first. Clownfish and Tangs come to mind immediatly. Mandarins too...

 

[thatguy559]

You don't want to add too much at one time your are going to have an ammonia spike an your sand and liverock gotta play catch up.


+1 to Kirk nothing good ever comes out of this hobby if you rush

 

[NC2WA]

one follow up to my post....even though I had a large tank, the maiximum amt of fish I would add at one time is 2 fish. I then would let them settle in the tank for an extended period of time (normally 3 wks). my point is dont dump all the fish in at once and expect them to survive. Need to go slow and make sure the new inhabitants take to their new surroundings as this will reduce stress over the long haul esp for the passive/skiddish fish.

 

[leebca]

You can't plan too much! It's great that you're thinking ahead.

Read through this post to get an idea of what it will entail and how to 'grow' and 'mature' your marine aquarium: Starting up a Marine Aquarium