An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 2)

In the first part of my introduction in setting up a reef/marine fish tank, there were certain questions that needed to be addressed in order to ensure that you have some sort of initial success in setting up and starting a tank. A plan of action, reading and researching, monetary calculating as well as the proper location for your set up, equipment needs, and what you plan on keeping as far as livestock are needing attention. The cycling process was also touched upon and its importance in the outcome to follow making a fine diving line between dead or live livestock. I then listed some of the more difficult and delicate fish, inverts and corals that should be passed upon adding to your tank. Whether due to shipping/handling, specialized feeding, husbandry requirements, or the fact that they just can't survive the rigors and stress associated with being cooped up in a captive environment.

Now the fun and excitement occurs as you are ready to select your livestock once your tank has cycled. With the knowledge that you have accumulated through countless hours of reading and researching on website forums and the myriad of informative and enjoyable books on the market today, you can start collecting the livestock for your tank(s). This sounds easier than it is however, as the order in which you add fish or inverts to your tank can create some devastating results. The adding of fish too quickly or too many in a short period of time will create some shortcomings and pitfalls that as a conscientious aquarist can be avoided rather easily. As you probably know by now, fish have different personalities, and aggression traits. Communal or a more boisterous tank set up. This variable has to be addressed to alleviate the chances of aggression by the more aggressive fish over territory etc. Also, it is best to add the more aggressive fish last... as it gives the more docile fish a better chance to get comfortable and established in their surroundings with the more boisterous fish then being added. Aggressive behavior is usually curbed somewhat when this little point is adhered to.