Coral recommendations for beginner

I asked the same question and have the same set up. I got a frogspawn, some Xenia and some mushrooms to start. I am getting some Kenya trees here soon as well as some other frags if I can get away with it. You will, at some point, need to rethink your lighting. I am going MH here in the next three or four months. Keep your corals high in the tank and I found that my frogspawn and Xenia likes medium flow.

Keep away from SPS for now. From what I have been told, they need light light light. And PCs just aren't enough.

Have fun......and remember to spend money.......it will strengthen the economy!!! We are in the right hobby for that.

 

My tank is still cycling and I have a mushroom growing. If that's not a testament to the hardiness of mushroom coral, I don't know what is.

edit: My lights aren't even on.

 

Well whatever you decide to do, know that you will experience (as has everyone else) diatoms, possibly cyanobacteria, and other algae as part of the the tank's maturing process. Rather than seeing you spend the money now on good beginner corals, I'd be more impressed if you picked up all the right water test equipment and a decent quality RO/DI unit. Even if the tank is cycled, and a mushroom may survive just fine, you should know what parameters of Mag, Calcium, dKH, salinity, temp to keep your water at, as well as proper water circulation/flow. You should also get some experience to how to adjust your levels when needed. There's no point in buying a rock with some pretty mushrooms on it, only to see you throw it away 2 months later because you can't get the LHA to stop growing on it.

 

on the Internet people don't impress you they offend you lol

 

That is one thing I do need to work on is finding out how to maintain tranquility in a reef tank. I am not looking to add anything just yet but planning my attack. LOL. I want to get all the info I can and make sure that I do this right because I hate to waste money and really hate killing something that would be my fault for not getting it right on my part. That's why I love this place. I can find out from you guys just how to make a little heaven on earth in my living room. Thanks to all and maybe one day I will be able to answer some of your questions but in due time.

 

My wife is doing the same thing!!! The only thing she asks before I spend a bunch is that I ask the "3reef people" and don't waste money. Oh, and something about paying bills and buying the kids cloths. I'm not sure what she means by that........Hmmmmm.

And BTW, what kind of set up do you have dude? Tank size, skimmer, etc. Just curious.

 

I have a 75 gallon with 4 pc's but I am really considering the t5's. I have ordered 2 KORALIA 3's as I have two old pumps now and couldn't even tell you how much flow they have. I have a Emperor 400 filter and Fluval 305 canister filter and a SeaClone Protein Skimmer 100 or 150 not sure witch one with a maxijet 1200 on it. I know I need some upgrades but that will be in due time.

 

Just my 0.02$: please DO REMEMBER most of the soft corals excrete dangerous toxins when irritated (touched or moved from one place to the other). Always use gloves and if possible protective glasses! Good luck!

 

LOL, you will have the same problem that every one else seems to face when corals come into play. quote: I want them all.

How ever dont let your desires over power your lighting capibilitys, you'll need more intense lighting for clams,sps,and some softies really do love the light. ( even those leathers love strong lighting ).

 

This thread is perfect to confirm that Im at least buying the right stuff initially. My tank is in week 5 but I started with 1/2 of my reef built with pre established live rock and 40 lbs of live sand . I ve had a couple false Perc clowns for about a week ..Now Yesterday I added a few frags as my first corals ever . I got 1 small blue mushroom rock , one small green mushroom rock . A Pink and green Zoo frag and a decent rock with about 50 -75 polyps in a couple different colors . Its hard to go slow , but im going to sit back for a few weeks now and see how they do.. 2nd day and they look really happy so far ...good luck with your new inhabitants