beginner coral suggestions

bryanvin · 02/23/2008, 09:57 PM

Looking to start of with a hardy easy to care for coral/leather/shroom whatever, but also would like it to be easy on the eyes.

Tanks 46g bowfront, 3 months old, 45 lbs live sand, 80 lbs live rock, use Tropic Marin salt (not reef crystals), and have 2 x 96 watt pc's.

water params:
temp - 78 degrees
salinity - 1.025
pH - 8.3
ammonia and nitrite - 0.0
nitrates - 20 ppm
phosphate : 0.1 ppm
alk: 10 dkh
calcium: 400 mg/l

Dont have magnesium test yet, but Id imagine its at an average level considering i dont dose for calcium or magnesium

Any suggestions appreciated....

SquidHC · 02/23/2008, 10:01 PM

Under PC's your gonna have a hard time keeping much. However id say that most any mushrooms, zoas, or leathers will be fine for you. Also, many LPS corals are very attractive and get there nutrients from you feeding them, instead of photosynthesis.

If you dont have a magnesium test, dont dose for it. Besides, most of your trace elements will be replenished from your water changes. This includes calcium. Unless you have alot of SPS/LPS theres really no reason to dose.

absolutbill · 02/23/2008, 10:16 PM

I have the same tank and Lighting set up. Started with mushrooms, Ricordia. then added colt coral Leather, Pulsing Xenia, Zoa's Toadstool shrooms, worked right up to Frogspawn, hammer, and Just added a small plate.

The biggest difference between our tanks is I did 80# live sand and have about 60# of rock.

Just be careful I have two Korila #1's and I have a hard time finding room for corals that don't like all that flow.
Take it slow... make sure you can keep your tank stable when doing water changes. I started with the mushrooms at about 6 months, that is when I noticed a real stability in my tank?

bryanvin · 02/23/2008, 10:20 PM

Not to get off topic but, are you running an undertank sump Absolutbill? Been looking into setting up an undertank sump/fuge but having difficulties with the limited space under bowfront stand. Just like to see what others have done.

FishFace28 · 02/23/2008, 10:40 PM

Go slow with your corals. My tank was set up for about 6 months before I started adding corals. They are more sensitive than fish to param changes. Also, be careful with your nitrates. Most fish are okay with nitrates up to 40, but corals will start to suffer over 20.

I have power compacts, too. I successfully keep zoas, ricordia, mushrooms, hammers, brains, kenya trees, cabbage coral, and acans. Make sure to mention your lighting type when you are picking out corals at your LFS. They will help keep you away from corals with higher lighting requirements.

bryanvin · 02/23/2008, 10:47 PM

Thanks for the all the input, I was planning on waiting another month or so before getting any corals as Im in the middle of combating with new tank hair algae/cyano outbreaks. Also been thinking of setting up a sump/fuge to help with my nitrates, and just started running phosban in reactor.

uscharalph · 02/23/2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bryanvin
Thanks for the all the input, I was planning on waiting another month or so before getting any corals as Im in the middle of combating with new tank hair algae/cyano outbreaks. Also been thinking of setting up a sump/fuge to help with my nitrates, and just started running phosban in reactor.

Good idea to wait (If you can. LOL!!!) till you get hair algae under control.

bryanvin · 02/23/2008, 10:55 PM

only have a little hair, having more of a prob with the cyano

02/23/2008, 10:01 PM	#2
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	Under PC's your gonna have a hard time keeping much. However id say that most any mushrooms, zoas, or leathers will be fine for you. Also, many LPS corals are very attractive and get there nutrients from you feeding them, instead of photosynthesis. If you dont have a magnesium test, dont dose for it. Besides, most of your trace elements will be replenished from your water changes. This includes calcium. Unless you have alot of SPS/LPS theres really no reason to dose. __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!

02/23/2008, 10:16 PM	#3
absolutbill Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 36	I have the same tank and Lighting set up. Started with mushrooms, Ricordia. then added colt coral Leather, Pulsing Xenia, Zoa's Toadstool shrooms, worked right up to Frogspawn, hammer, and Just added a small plate. The biggest difference between our tanks is I did 80# live sand and have about 60# of rock. Just be careful I have two Korila #1's and I have a hard time finding room for corals that don't like all that flow. Take it slow... make sure you can keep your tank stable when doing water changes. I started with the mushrooms at about 6 months, that is when I noticed a real stability in my tank? __________________ Proud member of P.B.I.T.A.W.A.

02/23/2008, 10:20 PM	#4
bryanvin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111	Not to get off topic but, are you running an undertank sump Absolutbill? Been looking into setting up an undertank sump/fuge but having difficulties with the limited space under bowfront stand. Just like to see what others have done. __________________ Tank started 12/01/07 Tiger Goby Coral Banded Shrimp Atlantic Flower/Rock Anemone 2 Ocelaris Clowns Coral Beauty Blue Leg Hermits Black Sea Cucumber Current Tank Info: 46g bowfront, 90 lbs live rock, 45 lbs live sand, Remora hang on skimmer, 2 Koralia # 2's, 2 x 96 watt 10,000k dual dayltight/actinic PC's, 2 phosphate reactors (one carbon/one phosban)

02/23/2008, 10:47 PM	#6
bryanvin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111	Thanks for the all the input, I was planning on waiting another month or so before getting any corals as Im in the middle of combating with new tank hair algae/cyano outbreaks. Also been thinking of setting up a sump/fuge to help with my nitrates, and just started running phosban in reactor. __________________ Tank started 12/01/07 Tiger Goby Coral Banded Shrimp Atlantic Flower/Rock Anemone 2 Ocelaris Clowns Coral Beauty Blue Leg Hermits Black Sea Cucumber Current Tank Info: 46g bowfront, 90 lbs live rock, 45 lbs live sand, Remora hang on skimmer, 2 Koralia # 2's, 2 x 96 watt 10,000k dual dayltight/actinic PC's, 2 phosphate reactors (one carbon/one phosban)

02/23/2008, 10:55 PM	#8
bryanvin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111	only have a little hair, having more of a prob with the cyano __________________ Tank started 12/01/07 Tiger Goby Coral Banded Shrimp Atlantic Flower/Rock Anemone 2 Ocelaris Clowns Coral Beauty Blue Leg Hermits Black Sea Cucumber Current Tank Info: 46g bowfront, 90 lbs live rock, 45 lbs live sand, Remora hang on skimmer, 2 Koralia # 2's, 2 x 96 watt 10,000k dual dayltight/actinic PC's, 2 phosphate reactors (one carbon/one phosban)

02/23/2008, 09:57 PM	#1
bryanvin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111	beginner coral suggestions Looking to start of with a hardy easy to care for coral/leather/shroom whatever, but also would like it to be easy on the eyes. Tanks 46g bowfront, 3 months old, 45 lbs live sand, 80 lbs live rock, use Tropic Marin salt (not reef crystals), and have 2 x 96 watt pc's. water params: temp - 78 degrees salinity - 1.025 pH - 8.3 ammonia and nitrite - 0.0 nitrates - 20 ppm phosphate : 0.1 ppm alk: 10 dkh calcium: 400 mg/l Dont have magnesium test yet, but Id imagine its at an average level considering i dont dose for calcium or magnesium Any suggestions appreciated....

02/23/2008, 10:40 PM	#5
FishFace28 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 109	Go slow with your corals. My tank was set up for about 6 months before I started adding corals. They are more sensitive than fish to param changes. Also, be careful with your nitrates. Most fish are okay with nitrates up to 40, but corals will start to suffer over 20. I have power compacts, too. I successfully keep zoas, ricordia, mushrooms, hammers, brains, kenya trees, cabbage coral, and acans. Make sure to mention your lighting type when you are picking out corals at your LFS. They will help keep you away from corals with higher lighting requirements.