Coral noob question

gte539f · 03/31/2010, 03:42 PM

Hi,

I'm finally looking to add some corals to my FOWLR. I've found some good frag deals on Craigslist. A couple questions:

1) Do you treat or QT corals before adding to your tank? If so how, I have nothing besides the DT itself. I've read you can dip corals in some chemical solution? If so any recommendations on what to use?

2) Looking at some zoas (read they are hardy and easy to maintain), plus a pack of birds nest/cap frags. Can I add all these at once, or should I add corals in phases?

Thanks for any help!

TampaReefer79 · 03/31/2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gte539f

Hi,

I'm finally looking to add some corals to my FOWLR. I've found some good frag deals on Craigslist. A couple questions:

1) Do you treat or QT corals before adding to your tank? If so how, I have nothing besides the DT itself. I've read you can dip corals in some chemical solution? If so any recommendations on what to use?

2) Looking at some zoas (read they are hardy and easy to maintain), plus a pack of birds nest/cap frags. Can I add all these at once, or should I add corals in phases?

Thanks for any help!

If it was setup as a FOWLR, what kind of lighting does it have? What other equipment do you have running the tank?

Anthonius · 03/31/2010, 04:06 PM

yes you should qt your corals... if u get a little 5g with some fresh water(fresh saltwater) and biological from the display u should be good + a small powerhead. the dip you speak of is good for killing pests. the dip is usually fluke tabs and interceptor. both of these are pet meds you can order online. try a google search for fluke interceptor coral dip. you will find how to do it. also heres a video being done if you want to watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6tY2OFpwM0

Rich D · 03/31/2010, 04:19 PM

I would wait on the birdsnest and caps for a little bit. Start with some easy palys, xenia, GSP, mushrooms and leather type corals. Then you can move to things like zoas and caps. Then to birdsnests and then to more difficult SPS.

Dont put any SPS in your tank unless you have adequate lighting.
What lights are you running currently?

renisel · 03/31/2010, 04:29 PM

Personally, I don't dip before putting corals into a QT. If there's something on the coral, the dip may kill most of it but not all of it. Then you leave the coral in the QT for a few weeks, think it's fine and put it in the display. Meanwhile, the pest is just starting to reacquire a population where it can do damage and now it's in your DT. I prefer to just toss them in the QT and watch for a few weeks, then treat any problems that I notice.

gte539f · 03/31/2010, 04:30 PM

I am running T5's, 2x10k and 2xactinics, think 150W total. The tank is 16" deep. I ordered a GFO/Carbon reactor from BRS, it should be delivered tomorrow, so I'll have that running in the tank as well.

Yeah I figured it would be best to start with "easy" things like zoas, then progress to SPS'.

renisel · 03/31/2010, 04:57 PM

I doubt that the 4 T5's are going to support SPS very well--and definitely not with your current bulbs. Does your fixture at least have individual reflectors? What do you have as far as sump/fuge, powerheads, skimmer?

gte539f · 03/31/2010, 09:10 PM

The tank is 30 gals, 36"x12"x16". The T5's would still be inadequate for SPS even if i place them higher on the rock? The bulbs are 39W each and have their own reflector, the fixture is about 3" from the top of the tank. I'm not dying to getting SPS, I just came across the frag pack and it seemed like a good deal.

I don't have a sump, just a HOB skimmer. I have an old 10 gal that I'm thinking of converting but that won't be for a while. Besides that I have two Koralia 2 PHs, plus the GFO/Carbon reactor and a RO/DI unit that will be delivered tomorrow.

I'll start w/zoas, palys, and other hardy starter corals. Do I still need to dip them? Do you really use dog heartworm tablets?

JonnyD91 · 03/31/2010, 09:25 PM

who makes the fixture?

you can go 2 Blue+ and 2 11k or 12k and that should be fine for that size tank if the fixture is a tek light or better brand.

Metal Man 1221 · 03/31/2010, 09:34 PM

i wanted to jump on a GREAT deal on craigs list when i first started getting into corals, but i waited and did more research and it really paid off, not saying you havnt but usually takes a bit more knowledge in water chemistry to take care of SPS, im still learning

gte539f · 04/01/2010, 06:46 AM

I have this Aquaticlife T5 fixture, the 36" model, w/whatever bulbs are standard.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...0&pcatid=21460

If I start w/zoas and palys where should I place them, higher or lower on the rock, on the sand? How much water flow?

03/31/2010, 03:42 PM	#1
gte539f Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 99	Coral noob question Hi, I'm finally looking to add some corals to my FOWLR. I've found some good frag deals on Craigslist. A couple questions: 1) Do you treat or QT corals before adding to your tank? If so how, I have nothing besides the DT itself. I've read you can dip corals in some chemical solution? If so any recommendations on what to use? 2) Looking at some zoas (read they are hardy and easy to maintain), plus a pack of birds nest/cap frags. Can I add all these at once, or should I add corals in phases? Thanks for any help!

03/31/2010, 04:19 PM	#4
Rich D Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CT Posts: 828	I would wait on the birdsnest and caps for a little bit. Start with some easy palys, xenia, GSP, mushrooms and leather type corals. Then you can move to things like zoas and caps. Then to birdsnests and then to more difficult SPS. Dont put any SPS in your tank unless you have adequate lighting. What lights are you running currently? __________________ “Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don't go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won't laugh at you.” Current Tank Info: 120 display 40 gallon approx. sump

03/31/2010, 09:25 PM	#9
JonnyD91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Manalapan NJ Posts: 1,444	who makes the fixture? you can go 2 Blue+ and 2 11k or 12k and that should be fine for that size tank if the fixture is a tek light or better brand. __________________ Click my super cool username dropdown menu to see my new 90 Gallon In wall Build on my user home page :) Current Tank Info: 90G Reef - 2 MP40's - Apex Controlled - Reef Octopus PRO-SSS-DC1 Skimmer - 6 Bulb ATI Sunpower

03/31/2010, 09:34 PM	#10
Metal Man 1221 FMMAS Executive Director Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fargo ND Posts: 1,504	i wanted to jump on a GREAT deal on craigs list when i first started getting into corals, but i waited and did more research and it really paid off, not saying you havnt but usually takes a bit more knowledge in water chemistry to take care of SPS, im still learning __________________ "My advise is, always look at their aquarium before you take their advise. Because alot of people give advise and they havnt got a clue" ~David Saxby~ "Only after the last tree's cut and the last river poisoned only after the last fish is caught will you find that money cannot be eaten" ~Lamb of God~ Current Tank Info: 125g DT, 45g sump ---- 57g Illuminata, custom sump

03/31/2010, 04:06 PM	#3
Anthonius Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: sioux city Posts: 401	yes you should qt your corals... if u get a little 5g with some fresh water(fresh saltwater) and biological from the display u should be good + a small powerhead. the dip you speak of is good for killing pests. the dip is usually fluke tabs and interceptor. both of these are pet meds you can order online. try a google search for fluke interceptor coral dip. you will find how to do it. also heres a video being done if you want to watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6tY2OFpwM0

03/31/2010, 04:29 PM	#5
renisel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 866	Personally, I don't dip before putting corals into a QT. If there's something on the coral, the dip may kill most of it but not all of it. Then you leave the coral in the QT for a few weeks, think it's fine and put it in the display. Meanwhile, the pest is just starting to reacquire a population where it can do damage and now it's in your DT. I prefer to just toss them in the QT and watch for a few weeks, then treat any problems that I notice.

03/31/2010, 04:30 PM	#6
gte539f Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 99	I am running T5's, 2x10k and 2xactinics, think 150W total. The tank is 16" deep. I ordered a GFO/Carbon reactor from BRS, it should be delivered tomorrow, so I'll have that running in the tank as well. Yeah I figured it would be best to start with "easy" things like zoas, then progress to SPS'.

03/31/2010, 04:57 PM	#7
renisel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 866	I doubt that the 4 T5's are going to support SPS very well--and definitely not with your current bulbs. Does your fixture at least have individual reflectors? What do you have as far as sump/fuge, powerheads, skimmer?

03/31/2010, 09:10 PM	#8
gte539f Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 99	The tank is 30 gals, 36"x12"x16". The T5's would still be inadequate for SPS even if i place them higher on the rock? The bulbs are 39W each and have their own reflector, the fixture is about 3" from the top of the tank. I'm not dying to getting SPS, I just came across the frag pack and it seemed like a good deal. I don't have a sump, just a HOB skimmer. I have an old 10 gal that I'm thinking of converting but that won't be for a while. Besides that I have two Koralia 2 PHs, plus the GFO/Carbon reactor and a RO/DI unit that will be delivered tomorrow. I'll start w/zoas, palys, and other hardy starter corals. Do I still need to dip them? Do you really use dog heartworm tablets?

04/01/2010, 06:46 AM	#11
gte539f Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 99	I have this Aquaticlife T5 fixture, the 36" model, w/whatever bulbs are standard. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...0&pcatid=21460 If I start w/zoas and palys where should I place them, higher or lower on the rock, on the sand? How much water flow?