which corals for 10 gallon?

iambware · 01/22/2020, 08:44 PM

Hi i just set up my IM10 with a Kessil light 160. Which is some good beginner corals to start with?

tomreefer · 01/22/2020, 09:24 PM

Easiest corals will be soft corals like Devils Hand Leather Corals; Mushrooms; Zoos.

Sk8r · 01/22/2020, 10:38 PM

True. Technically you could grow stony with calcium supplement as in 'kalk', but the delicate conditions of a small tank are hard to keep even. As a start, the softies will produce a beautiful tank and not require too much. You'll know how happy they are by how much the zoas and shrooms open out and reproduce. Master those, and you'll have become expert.

Daniel Black · 01/23/2020, 03:09 AM

So far, also a beginner. I'm thinking about experimenting with mushrooms, can you give me some simple advice?

tomreefer · 01/23/2020, 03:35 AM

Mushroom corals do not have a calcified skeleton structure, they can be more tolerant of swings in the alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium when compared to other corals. However, they will not be very tolerance to swings in PH, Temp, or salinity which is no different than any other coral or fish.

If your lighting level is too low for your mushroom, it will lose color and sometimes change it’s shape a little as it tries to reach towards the light. This can make it look a little like a funnel. When the lighting level is correct, the mushroom coral will be fully open and lay flat on the surface it’s attached to. If your lighting level is to high, the mushroom will stay somewhat retracted most of the time, and will usually start to lose its color giving it a “bleach” appearance starting around the edges. As these corals contain zooxanthellae inside their body, they will be able to get most of their required nutrients through your tank lighting. This is why it is important to have the correct levels of lighting in your tank and to watch for signs that your lighting levels may not be correct. Mushrooms can also get nutrients from the water in the form of microplankton and zooplankton and will benefit from the occasional spot feeding. They will do best when they get their needed nutrition from both the water and your tank lighting.

As with most other corals, mushrooms have natural defense mechanisms to protect themselves. They have a chemical defense system based on stinging tentacle that will extend out from its cap. This can be harmfully to certain types of other soft corals and SPS corals. This makes it important to ensure you leave about 2 inches of space between your mushroom corals and other types of corals you may have in your tank. Mushroom will do best when placed on your live rock in your tank.

01/22/2020, 08:44 PM	#1
iambware Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 1	which corals for 10 gallon? Hi i just set up my IM10 with a Kessil light 160. Which is some good beginner corals to start with?

01/22/2020, 10:38 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	True. Technically you could grow stony with calcium supplement as in 'kalk', but the delicate conditions of a small tank are hard to keep even. As a start, the softies will produce a beautiful tank and not require too much. You'll know how happy they are by how much the zoas and shrooms open out and reproduce. Master those, and you'll have become expert. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/22/2020, 09:24 PM	#2
tomreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 767	Easiest corals will be soft corals like Devils Hand Leather Corals; Mushrooms; Zoos.

01/23/2020, 03:09 AM	#4
Daniel Black Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Adelaide Posts: 6	So far, also a beginner. I'm thinking about experimenting with mushrooms, can you give me some simple advice?

01/23/2020, 03:35 AM	#5
tomreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 767	Mushroom corals do not have a calcified skeleton structure, they can be more tolerant of swings in the alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium when compared to other corals. However, they will not be very tolerance to swings in PH, Temp, or salinity which is no different than any other coral or fish. If your lighting level is too low for your mushroom, it will lose color and sometimes change it’s shape a little as it tries to reach towards the light. This can make it look a little like a funnel. When the lighting level is correct, the mushroom coral will be fully open and lay flat on the surface it’s attached to. If your lighting level is to high, the mushroom will stay somewhat retracted most of the time, and will usually start to lose its color giving it a “bleach” appearance starting around the edges. As these corals contain zooxanthellae inside their body, they will be able to get most of their required nutrients through your tank lighting. This is why it is important to have the correct levels of lighting in your tank and to watch for signs that your lighting levels may not be correct. Mushrooms can also get nutrients from the water in the form of microplankton and zooplankton and will benefit from the occasional spot feeding. They will do best when they get their needed nutrition from both the water and your tank lighting. As with most other corals, mushrooms have natural defense mechanisms to protect themselves. They have a chemical defense system based on stinging tentacle that will extend out from its cap. This can be harmfully to certain types of other soft corals and SPS corals. This makes it important to ensure you leave about 2 inches of space between your mushroom corals and other types of corals you may have in your tank. Mushroom will do best when placed on your live rock in your tank.