New Tank setup - Fish or Inverts first?

[PezJunkie]

After doing freshwater for the last ~7 years or so, I'm in the process of setting up my first salt tank. It's a 20 gallon that's currently setup as a SOWDR (sand only with dead rock) and it's been setup and cycling for about 2 weeks now. The question that I'm debating now is what to do next (after the ammonia & nitrite come back down to earth.)

Do I add fish first or start with inverts?

"Fish" in this case would most likely be a pair of Perc/False Perc clownfish. "Inverts" would be the IPSF 9 for $99 special, in the form of snails, hermits, worms, amphipods & whatever other critters end up coming along with the live sand/wondermud. (Possibly the Anthelia polyps too, if I'm feeling brave.)

I've changed my mind a couple of times on this, but right now I'm leaning towards stocking the inverts first. If I do that, then I'm left with the question of what/how to feed them.

Would a pinch of fish food every few days be enough?

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

A handfull of small inverts isn't going to impact the system much. IMO you'd be fine to just add the clowns+inverts together once the system is read for livestock.

 

[PezJunkie]

Thanks for the welcome & reply.
I had considered that too, but was afraid of doing too much at once.

I'm sure I'm being overly cautious... but in all the reading I've done, it seems like "take it slow" is just about the only thing that the "experts" agree on. :lol:

 

[ChrisRD]

Taking it slow is definitely best. :wink:

If you're adding pods with your invert package, it might not be a bad idea to put that stuff in first and let the pod population get started before the fish arrive (who will be eating them).

Whatever you decide, just keep a close eye on the water quality and ammonia levels initially. If you see signs of trouble, do a large water change.

HTH