Effective startup critters/plants to buy?

[mnowicki]

I have a 65g DT with a 25g sump. I'm currently still fishless cycling (about 3 weeks in with nitrite still spiked, patiently waiting...) but am starting to research my first future buys in terms of living animals/plants and was looking for some advice from you guys.

Here is my setup:
I currently have 2-3" (80 lbs) of sand in my DT, 60 lbs of rock (all was dry/dead before cycling so no hitchhikers at all in tank), a 5" DSB in my sump, and a rock rubble section in my sump. I'm filtering with a sock, then protein skimmer, and then partially with a small amount of carbon at a slow flow rate. I'm moving about 550gph with my primary sump pump, and will upgrade to having a powerhead later on once i attain a budget for one.

I know that I will keep a FOWLR tank for a bit (~few months) before I move over to having a reef tank with a few fish. So whatever buys I make now I know i want them to be reef safe to make the transition a bit smoother.

So the 2 Questions:
1) I know that the best thing to do is have a variety in order to try to cover as many areas of nutrient and waste decomposition. However, I'm struggling at figuring out what startup critters (ex. snail, shrimp, crab, fish, slug types, etc) to get for sand movement, algae eating, and excess food decomposition. Obviously cool looking stuff is preferred, but effectiveness takes slight priority :)

2) Also I'm unsure of what to grow in my fuge on top of my DSB and with my rock rubble (ex. amphipods, copepods, macroalgae, etc).

What have you guys found to be the most effective combination in terms of these critters? Since I used all dead/dry sand and rock I have nothing in my tank at all so i'm starting from a clean slate without any unwanted or wanted critters. Would a cleanup crew pack that liveaquaria.com or other sites sell be an efficient choice?

Suggestions or informative sources anyone? Thanks in advance.

[Reefman29]

Hermit crabs are typically a good start with some snails thats algae and food. I like turbo snails and nasarius snails. For sand stirring you could get a goby with pistol shrimp, the shrimp will burrow through the sand. You definetly should get copepods and amphipods. You might get them from you lfs or online or from another reefer. Macroalgae is also good for nutrient export, typically chaetomorpha is good. Cleaner shrimp would be cool as they will also eat whatever the fish eat.

[RyanEG]

I use Chaetomorpha in my refuge, it grows fast enough to use up nutrients before algae can take root in the display. As for Clean Up Crew(CUC) the snails that I use are cerinth and astraea for general rock/glass cleaning and nassarius for sand bed cleaning. I also use a pair of fighting conch's in my 180. I personally don't use any hermit crabs as they tend to kill snails for their shells when its time to rehome. Don't start out with a huge CUC as there really just isn't enough food in a new system and they will starve eventually. Add more when the current stock starts to not be able to keep up with algal growth.

[mnowicki]

thanks guys, greatly appreciated. In terms of the macroalgae, how much would you suggest getting?

[mrstihl]

very small amount is fine, it will grow and you will end up throwing it away anyway.

[RyanEG]

For chaeto you don't need much, a ziplock baggie full will be a volleyball sized patch in no time. Check with some local reefers and you are likely to get what you need to get started for free or for a couple bucks.

With you being a new member here, you should scroll to the bottom of the main forum index and go to the local club board, find the club that best suits you local and introduce yourself. Getting to know the local reefing community can be a great tool in this hobby when vacations or problems arrise. Its also a great way to find out about local store, frag swaps and shops.

[GT3]

What marco algae are for? Are they must have for a nano reef tank?

[RyanEG]

Macro algae's are typically used in a refugium as an uptake for nutrient, namely phospate and nitrates that feed nusiance algaes. But some types are used in displays as ornamental algaes.

If you have some time search them and read up on the various uses and drawback of certain ones. Its a great way to kill time while you are waiting for a question to be answered or waiting for a topic to be discussed a little more in depth.

[mnowicki]

my understanding is that they are primarily for filtering some nitrates and phosphates out of your column. As a result it'll decrease the frequency of water changes and prevent algae growth. I'm not familiar with nano reefs and new to the hobby so feel free to correct me (3 weeks in).

[Reefman29]

I wouldn't say that it lessens your water changes. It kind of a back up thing in case you don't change it right away, but really water changes are a must in my opinion.