There is a wide variety of livestock to pick and chose from when selecting specimens for our systems, some of which should not be kept by amateur aquarists and even some, not at all.  New systems are not very stable and should not be used to house very sensitive species until they have had a chance to develop necessary bacterial and micro-organisms.

Before any new organisms are introduced into a new system, the lights should be allowed to run for a period of a week, on 24-hours.  This will help grow lower algae that will allow you to introduce your first organisms which should be marine snails (preferably Astrea variety at a count of 1 per 2-gallons of water).  After the first week, you should run your lighting on a normal schedule (12-on/12-off is a good rotation) At this time you can add a small fish or two if you chose.  After an additional week or so, you can add a few hermit crabs to help maintain your system.  I would recommend 1 hermit per every 2 gallons of water. After a month or so, additional hermit crabs and snails can be added but for now, a very few will do.

You should do some research as to the species of invertebrate you want to keep. Find out what is compatible with what.  Do some research on the internet and try to find out as much as you can about each species you want to keep. What are potential problems. Does your system meet the minimum standards for this species?

Try to resist the urge to buy a coral that you can't identify on impulse.  Always bring a good fish and invertebrate guide with you when visiting your local fish store.  Ask lots of questions but don't believe everything you hear.  Sometimes your local pet store representative is very informed and very interested in giving you good information, sometimes he is not.

At bare minimum, make a good list of the species of fish you are considering.  Just a quick recommendation, go easy on the fish, at least in the beginning.  As your system becomes more stable, you will become more familiar with it.  Also, by limiting your livestock for the first few months, you will make it much easier to deal with the initial algae and diatom blooms that almost always result from a new system.

Here is my list for my 100-gallon that is now in progress:

• Psudochromis  porphyreus - Magenta Dottyback

   

• Premnas biaculeatus - Maroon Clownfish (mated pair)

   

• Gobiosoma oceanops/evelynae) Neon Gobie (possibly 3 - 5 of these)

   

This may seem like a very small list but this really is a good starting point.  I'll add the Dottyback during the first couple of weeks after the system water parameters are stable.  This first addition will help the system grow beneficial bacteria and help season the system. I plan on adding the Maroon Clowns after about a month. I still will not have added any corals but will have slipped in a few shrimp (probably cleaner shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis). Soon after, I will add a few very hardy Corallimorpharians (mushrooms).

Eventually, I plan on adding various Acropora, Montipora, an anemone and a few clams but these will come later. This is a basic pattern of a correctly stocked system. It may sound like a lot of waiting, but you'll be surprised at how fast your system will come together as well as how beautiful it will become.

Keep in mind that some corals should not be kept with others due to their aggressiveness. I will elaborate more on this later.

TO BE CONTINUED....