Let the cycle (and fun) begin!

[radiata]

I beg differ... One never has enough rock!

(1) The more rock work you have, the more hidey-holes* you're giving your fish, which adds to their opportunity to retreat when threatened, thus adding to their sense of security in your tank, and thus adding to their health via less aggressive confrontations with other fish. I go as far as building additional hidey-holes in my tank once I have the structure in place.

(2) How will you keep unsightly algae off the rear wall of your tank? (Sounds like more manual labor than I'm willing to engage in, and I don't.) Don't have an "exposed" rear wall in your tank? Good for you! But, if you do have one, just cover it with more rock (and thus more hidey-holes).

* hidey-hole /hī′dē-hōl″/ noun

1. A secluded or isolated place; a hideaway.
2. An isolated or secluded place; a hideaway or hideout.

 

[northnjnano’s]

Thanks for the advice. With nothing to eat thought that may even be too much, good to know.

 

[northnjnano’s]

Radiata thanks, I’m very happy with the rock after a few weeks. Was worried it’s too much, going to get creative with wave makers and flow patterns, idk. Would love to do gsp across the entire back wall. Did pulsing xenia on one which was cool. Taking my time but agree lots of hide outs to help everyone lay low which hopefully will help as I plan to stock heavy over time.

 

[northnjnano’s]

Separate question. Anyone have a favorite fish trap? Clowns were easy. Now I have a six line, royal gramma, falco hawk and a blue dwarf angel to catch in my other tanks. Then I was planning to use the two 32 bio cube tanks as qt as I add more fish overtime but try to keep the rock/coral as is for a cool compliment to the main display. Hence I think I need a good trap? Tankmatez has a cool magnet style float, a bit pricey, was thinking of trying, any reccos? Just stick with food and nets?

 

[northnjnano’s]

Stocking strategy, please give me thoughts…advice, recco for substitutions or avoidances. Especially thoughts on when I can add my current remaining healthy stock (6line,royal gramma, cherub angel and falco hawkfish) vs what I think is propper addition path below based on research and others.

1st step Clowns - combined pairs from 3 tanks. Done…24 hrs in, exploring but sticking together as a pod, so far so good.

2nd step CUC and Goby’s/Blennies - Midas, Canary and twin spot blennies. Diamond, yellow face sleeper and watchman gobies.

3rd step - cuc and wrasse / gramma / hawks - six line, canary, leopard wrasse. Royal gramma. Falco hawk and flame hawkfish

4th step - cuc and tangs : yellow and purple (blue hippo or keyhole substitutes?)

5th step - angels: blue cherub / red
flame angel / flameback (too close to cherub?) / would love another yellow like a heraldi if I can’t go flameback?

6th step- the long game - pair of bullet hole mandarins and copperband butterfly

 

[MadReefer]

Separate question. Anyone have a favorite fish trap? Clowns were easy. Now I have a six line, royal gramma, falco hawk and a blue dwarf angel to catch in my other tanks. Then I was planning to use the two 32 bio cube tanks as qt as I add more fish overtime but try to keep the rock/coral as is for a cool compliment to the main display. Hence I think I need a good trap? Tankmatez has a cool magnet style float, a bit pricey, was thinking of trying, any reccos? Just stick with food and nets?

I have a BRS one I picked but used no clue how to use it. Think needs some rubberbands to be functional; you can borrow it if you want.
Or try the 2 bottle trick as I have done this in the past with no issues but took some fish 2 or 3 days to go in it.

 

[northnjnano’s]

Oh the bottle trick looks interesting, think I saw videos on yt and just thought that was legit fishing. I may start there and hopefully get the wrasse/gramma. Idk if that would work on the bigger fish. Ty for them offer, well see if i need to take you up on that, where located.