Where do I go from here? Adding Corals, inverts, macro algea, turning on lights, etc.

[saltylilthang]

Hi! I just started my saltwater journey and finally got some black ice clowns (Olly and Molly) for my 13.5 fluval and they are doing very well. I would truly like to get some softies (I want a very easy maintence tank concerning corals), get some of the following inverts ( reef grazing hermit crabs, nusarias snails, pistol shrimp, maybe 1 gobi, and perhaps a blue tuxedo urchin), macro algea but how long do I wait?

Do I turn on my lights now or do I wait till corals? Do I need to wait 3-6 months for tank to continue to mature? I do realize I need to get a calcium and alkalinity test so I will be doing that in the next few weeks. I am just a little stumped from here. I have little to no diatoms as of now. My tank has cycled and is reading 0 for ammonia and nitrite and 10ppm for nitrates. Salinity is at 1.025 and is prebought from local LFS. I feel like I am ready but I don't want to set up future coral and invert for failure. Was also told my tank will be sucked dry by macroalgea so need advice.

 

[randomfishdude]

You need to turn your lights on. The sooner you do that the sooner your ugly phase will be over. You also will want to add a few inverts at the same time.
After lights kn and inverts wait 2-4 weeks. You can add a coral or 2.

No experience with maco(yet) although I'm getting some today.
But maco will suck nitrate and phosphate like crazy. You will want to wait a while before trying that.

 

[DED65]

Turn on the lights and start growing some algae for your future inverts. Wait until you have a food source to put the inverts in, you don’t want them to starve.

 

[saltylilthang]

You need to turn your lights on. The sooner you do that the sooner your ugly phase will be over. You also will want to add a few inverts at the same time.
After lights kn and inverts wait 2-4 weeks. You can add a coral or 2.

No experience with maco(yet) although I'm getting some today.
But maco will suck nitrate and phosphate like crazy. You will want to wait a while before trying that.

Ill get some inverts this weekend then. Turning lights on with pre-made schedule. Are the inverts I listed acceptable? It was recommended via numerous saltwater hobbiest

Reef grazing hermit crabs, nusarias snails pistol shrimp, and blue tuxedo urchin

 

[saltylilthang]

Turn on the lights and start growing some algae for your future inverts. Wait until you have a food source to put the inverts in, you don’t want them to starve.

Gotcha lights have been turned on. I just wasnt sure since so many wants to skip the ugly stage and leave the lights off. Thanks!

 

[randomfishdude]

Ill get some inverts this weekend then. Turning lights on with pre-made schedule. Are the inverts I listed acceptable? It was recommended via numerous saltwater hobbiest

Reef grazing hermit crabs, nusarias snails pistol shrimp, and blue tuxedo urchin

Yes. I'd start out with 2 or 3 hermits and 3 nassarius.

Although not shure about the urchin. Might be a bit small of a tank.
Mine has decimated the algae population in my very high nutrient 90 gal.

 

[DED65]

You will go through an ugly stage, may as well get it out of the way. I would wait a little bit longer to get inverts, unless you have some algae growing.

 

[saltylilthang]

Yes. I'd start out with 2 or 3 hermits and 3 nassarius.

Although not shure about the urchin. Might be a bit small of a tank.
Mine has decimated the algae population in my very high nutrient 90 gal.

Noted and noted! I do not want to overstock this tank so I wont get an urchin, especially due to size of tank. Already pushing it with my clowns.

 

[saltylilthang]

You will go through an ugly stage, may as well get it out of the way. I would wait a little bit longer to get inverts, unless you have some algae growing.

I know I am super new to saltwater so It's a little different. I don't mind the uglies. And no algea growth besides little brown spots here and there.

 

[DED65]

Yeah, you should hold off on inverts until you get a little growing. The ugly phase is part of the fun!