Don't buy these if you're a newbie

Stolireef · 06/18/2014, 05:15 PM

Or, probably even if your experienced:

1. Green Goniopora (often called a flowerpot). It'll look good for a few weeks and then slowly die.
2. Elegence Corals, especially from Indonesia. Anecdotal information suggests better success with those from Australia but definitely not a beginner coral. Again, the success rate is extremely low even for very experience reef keepers.
3. Schools of just about anything but, in particular, Anthias and Chromis. Other than in extremely large tanks, you'll be down to one in a few months.

4. Sun corals. Not photosynthetic and thus require specialized feeding. They look beautiful but unless you really know what you're doing with regard to feeding, they won't survive.
5. Flame Scallops. Same as Sun Corals.
6. Carnation corals. Same as Sun Corals.

Feel free to add to this list.

m0nkie · 06/18/2014, 05:18 PM

Heisenberg is not pleased with your post.

other than that, thanks! I really wanted to try a school of 4-5 Anthias in my 100 gallon.. didn't know they kill each other off like the Chromis..

Stolireef · 06/18/2014, 05:21 PM

Let's see if I got the reference. You are pointing out my lack of 'uncertainty' on these items?

I do agree that I'm making these statements on the 'strong' side but I've just seen one to many newbies walk out of the LFS with a doomed (insert livestock here).

Stolireef · 06/18/2014, 05:21 PM

BTW, I tried Anthias and Chromis with the same results in my 110.

footballdude2k3 · 06/18/2014, 06:20 PM

Achilles Tang
Sohal Tang
Clown Tang

Mandarins

Pipefish

jrozzi · 06/18/2014, 06:28 PM

why does every one say mandys are so hard to keep they are very disease resistant and all you need is pods in your tank which it isn't hard to keep pods alive.

Stolireef · 06/18/2014, 06:40 PM

Because Mandys need a very steady source of pods which most young tanks can't maintain.

Good list. Although I love Sohal's, I just don't have the water volume to keep one.

malawi · 06/18/2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

Or, probably even if your experienced:

1. Green Goniopora (often called a flowerpot). It'll look good for a few weeks and then slowly die.
2. Elegence Corals, especially from Indonesia. Anecdotal information suggests better success with those from Australia but definitely not a beginner coral. Again, the success rate is extremely low even for very experience reef keepers.
3. Schools of just about anything but, in particular, Anthias and Chromis. Other than in extremely large tanks, you'll be down to one in a few months.

4. Sun corals. Not photosynthetic and thus require specialized feeding. They look beautiful but unless you really know what you're doing with regard to feeding, they won't survive.
5. Flame Scallops. Same as Sun Corals.
6. Carnation corals. Same as Sun Corals
Feel free to add to this list.

Thank you for the advise, its good to know those things

david_lee · 06/18/2014, 06:49 PM

Sweetlips,cooperband and whatever that fish on Nemo call (scarface) to name a few.

mgrmax · 06/18/2014, 07:02 PM

Anemones...

JoelA7 · 06/18/2014, 07:05 PM

My understanding re Anthias is that real effort must be taken on food but if done success can be had. Please explain your contention w reas

JoelA7 · 06/18/2014, 07:06 PM

Reasons. Etc.

(Darn iPhone tiny keys....)

Thank you.

jrozzi · 06/18/2014, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

Because Mandys need a very steady source of pods which most young tanks can't maintain.

Good list. Although I love Sohal's, I just don't have the water volume to keep one.

why cant young tanks maintain pods?

Ryanrttu · 06/18/2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgrmax

Anemones...

Why?

mgrmax · 06/18/2014, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryanrttu

Why?

In my experience and from what I have read, they require stable parameters which are not common in younger tanks. Some say wait one year. This is geared more toward new reefers.

AuburnTiger1 · 06/18/2014, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_lee

Sweetlips,cooperband and whatever that fish on Nemo call (scarface) to name a few.

Moorish idol. I have heard signal gobies can be difficult too.

Stolireef · 06/18/2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrozzi

why cant young tanks maintain pods?

Because most newbies don't even know what a pod is. In a very well established tank, pods will reproduce. If the tank has a fuge, pods may reproduce in sufficient numbers but in most cases, a newbie will not have sufficient pods to support a mandy.

Stolireef · 06/18/2014, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoelA7

My understanding re Anthias is that real effort must be taken on food but if done success can be had. Please explain your contention w reas

It's not one anthias but rather a school. One anthias just needs regular feeding a couple of times per day. A school needs a really large tank.

Ryanrttu · 06/18/2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Because most newbies don't even know what a pod is.

Thanks for giving me a new research topic for the next week bc I don't.

AuburnTiger1 · 06/18/2014, 08:11 PM

They are a microscopic crustaceans that are good food source for some marine life (mandarins,leopard wrasse etc.)

elFloyd · 06/18/2014, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrozzi

why cant young tanks maintain pods?

Young tanks can't produce enough pods... Mandarins eat constantly, and other fish eat pods too.

Scubasteve13 · 06/18/2014, 09:25 PM

Mandrains in young tanks will eat through pod population in a couple of days then they will end up slowly starving. IMO I would wait on any tang (tangs really prone to ich) until the tank is established close to a year and qt any new additions.

kurt_n · 06/18/2014, 09:37 PM

Sea stars / starfish. (Won't survive without supplemental feeding - see Sun Corals. Also require careful acclimation.)

Actually... they probably should just be left in the ocean all together.

droog · 06/18/2014, 09:38 PM

Thanks for posting. This list matches the stocking list for my new tank very closely. Oops...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

Or, probably even if your experienced:
1. Green Goniopora (often called a flowerpot). It'll look good for a few weeks and then slowly die.

Mine lasted about 3 months. Seemed super-happy in my 130g so I added a second red one. The red one never opened, so I was able to return to the LFS for credit. The green one started looking unhappy and started shedding its flesh... died a slow horrible death over about a week or too.

I'm now trying again, water parameters stable, and target feeding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

2. Elegence Corals, especially from Indonesia. Anecdotal information suggests better success with those from Australia but definitely not a beginner coral. Again, the success rate is extremely low even for very experience reef keepers.

I must have gotten lucky with mine, its thriving and happy after 6 months My pair of clowns have hosted in it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

3. Schools of just about anything but, in particular, Anthias and Chromis. Other than in extremely large tanks, you'll be down to one in a few months.
4. Sun corals. Not photosynthetic and thus require specialized feeding. They look beautiful but unless you really know what you're doing with regard to feeding, they won't survive.
5. Flame Scallops. Same as Sun Corals.
6. Carnation corals. Same as Sun Corals.

Feel free to add to this list.

I have a a couple of small Sun Corals, maybe 7 polyps in all. Feeding fresh shrimp so far has kept them happy.

Also have a SeaFan and Flower Tree (pink cauliflower) NPS - these are still alive but not thriving. Wish I hand't got them but trying my best to keep them now I have.

Also wish I had not started the tank with Damsels. Would not do so next time.

-droog

ReefWhatYouSow · 06/18/2014, 09:49 PM

Maybe add Recordia Yuma to the list. Newbie here and I picked one up at RAP Orlando. I learned more about it later when I found out that I got a good deal (yay!) and that they can be delicate (boo for me). It lasted a couple months but didn't make it due to the instability of my tank. Maybe I'll try again next year.

06/18/2014, 05:15 PM	#1
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	Don't buy these if you're a newbie Or, probably even if your experienced: 1. Green Goniopora (often called a flowerpot). It'll look good for a few weeks and then slowly die. 2. Elegence Corals, especially from Indonesia. Anecdotal information suggests better success with those from Australia but definitely not a beginner coral. Again, the success rate is extremely low even for very experience reef keepers. 3. Schools of just about anything but, in particular, Anthias and Chromis. Other than in extremely large tanks, you'll be down to one in a few months. 4. Sun corals. Not photosynthetic and thus require specialized feeding. They look beautiful but unless you really know what you're doing with regard to feeding, they won't survive. 5. Flame Scallops. Same as Sun Corals. 6. Carnation corals. Same as Sun Corals. Feel free to add to this list. __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0. Last edited by Sugar Magnolia; 06/18/2014 at 05:31 PM.

06/18/2014, 05:18 PM	#2
m0nkie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: LA Posts: 6,264	Heisenberg is not pleased with your post. other than that, thanks! I really wanted to try a school of 4-5 Anthias in my 100 gallon.. didn't know they kill each other off like the Chromis.. __________________ 560gal in the making

06/18/2014, 05:21 PM	#3
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	Let's see if I got the reference. You are pointing out my lack of 'uncertainty' on these items? I do agree that I'm making these statements on the 'strong' side but I've just seen one to many newbies walk out of the LFS with a doomed (insert livestock here). __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

06/18/2014, 05:21 PM	#4
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	BTW, I tried Anthias and Chromis with the same results in my 110. __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

06/18/2014, 06:40 PM	#7
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	Because Mandys need a very steady source of pods which most young tanks can't maintain. Good list. Although I love Sohal's, I just don't have the water volume to keep one. __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

06/18/2014, 06:20 PM	#5
footballdude2k3 Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,974	Achilles Tang Sohal Tang Clown Tang Mandarins Pipefish

06/18/2014, 06:28 PM	#6
jrozzi Moved On Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 580	why does every one say mandys are so hard to keep they are very disease resistant and all you need is pods in your tank which it isn't hard to keep pods alive.

06/18/2014, 06:49 PM	#9
david_lee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: charlotte,nc Posts: 133	Sweetlips,cooperband and whatever that fish on Nemo call (scarface) to name a few.

06/18/2014, 07:02 PM	#10
mgrmax Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 376	Anemones... __________________ 90 gal DT, 40 gal sump,peristaltic pump dosing 2 part, 2 AI Vega lights, Eshopps S-150 Cone Skimmer Current Tank Info: 90 gal reef

06/18/2014, 07:05 PM	#11
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	My understanding re Anthias is that real effort must be taken on food but if done success can be had. Please explain your contention w reas __________________ New 48x24x26.25 w Precision Marine R30 sump, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2@Vertex 1.5L reactors for carbon & phosban, GEO Ca reactor w Aquarium Plants regulator. 2 MP40's 2@Radions. #120 live rock & #12

06/18/2014, 07:06 PM	#12
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	Reasons. Etc. (Darn iPhone tiny keys....) Thank you. __________________ New 48x24x26.25 w Precision Marine R30 sump, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2@Vertex 1.5L reactors for carbon & phosban, GEO Ca reactor w Aquarium Plants regulator. 2 MP40's 2@Radions. #120 live rock & #12

06/18/2014, 08:11 PM	#20
AuburnTiger1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: sweet home Alabama Posts: 174	They are a microscopic crustaceans that are good food source for some marine life (mandarins,leopard wrasse etc.)

06/18/2014, 09:25 PM	#22
Scubasteve13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Northampton, Pennsylvania Posts: 54	Mandrains in young tanks will eat through pod population in a couple of days then they will end up slowly starving. IMO I would wait on any tang (tangs really prone to ich) until the tank is established close to a year and qt any new additions.

06/18/2014, 09:37 PM	#23
kurt_n Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,592	Sea stars / starfish. (Won't survive without supplemental feeding - see Sun Corals. Also require careful acclimation.) Actually... they probably should just be left in the ocean all together.

06/18/2014, 09:49 PM	#25
ReefWhatYouSow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,193	Maybe add Recordia Yuma to the list. Newbie here and I picked one up at RAP Orlando. I learned more about it later when I found out that I got a good deal (yay!) and that they can be delicate (boo for me). It lasted a couple months but didn't make it due to the instability of my tank. Maybe I'll try again next year.