Does anyone know the answer to this??

[jloventh]

Hi,
I have been doing Saltwater for 2 years now and I recently started up a 200gal tank (much bigger than I have attempted in the past). The tank cycled quickly (3 wks and is now appx 5 weeks old) and easily accepted some transplants:
2- Maroon Clowns
5- Green Chromis
1- Orange Spotted Goby
1- Neon Goby
1- Blue Tang (Med)
appx 40 hermit crabs
appx 20 turbo snails

I had a slight ammonia spike after adding these but everything evened out within 24 hours. I am now back to 0-amm, 0- Nit, 5-10 Nitrates. I am thinking about making some more additions, but I am concerned that it may be too soon. The LFS says I should be careful not to add fish to quickly because of the potential "bioload" overload. I haven't been able to find anything else to read on "Bioload". Here is my shopping list: (5 fish and 2 Corals)
1- Blonde Naso Tang
(Naso lituratus) - Large: 4.5”-6.5”

2- Fluorescent Tip Torch Coral
(Euphyllia glabrescens) - Medium: 3”-5"

2- Purple Pseudochromis
(Pseudochromis porphyreus) - Medium: 1½”-2½”

1- Coral Beauty Angel
(Centropyge bispinosus) - Large: 2 ½”-4”

I am very excited about added the large Tang, as the other fish I have a pretty small. The tank is set up to be a peaceful reef tank....I appreciate you advice before I order.


Thanks Jeff

 

[OrionGirl]

Bio-load = the amount of waste produced by a given population. Bacteria colonies develop to the size supported by the existing food source, and when the bio-load increases, their populations must also increase to support the additional waste. Adding one or two fish at a time allows the bacteria colonies to expand without creating high levels of unconsumed waste.

In terms of your additions: do lots of research on tangs. Some mix, others do not. Naso's tend to be very aggressive, and might kill the blue. Can't comment on the coral additions--need to know more about the setup (lighting in particular).

 

[FloridaBoy]

Here's the best advice I can give you on building your community tank:
Slow down and set up a quarantine system NOW and place all new arrivals in it for 4 weeks for observation before adding them to your display. This is essential to your long term success. No matter where you aquire them, every time you add a new specimen to your display you risk introduction of pathogens capable of wiping out your entire "bio load." Here's more info:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QuarMarFishes.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quarinverts.htm