Good corals for beginner

I will be setting up a 75 gallon reef tank soon and want to look ahead to what my first coral purchases will be. First of all my lights are 4x54 watt t-5's and for flow I have two koralia 3's. I was thinking some zoas, mushrooms, toadstools, and maybe a frogspawn. Are these all OK corals for a beginner? Oh, and are pulsing Xenia's good for a beginner?

 

Yes to all including the Xenia. If you have a three or four striped damsel though, reconsider. Humbug damsels like Xenia for dinner (some do). Add to that list donut corals, kenya trees, open brains. Gorgonians are a little more difficult to keep, but they are not outrageously difficult.

Now the trick to buying corals is twofold. Finding an LFS that sells cheap and/or finding an employee who does not know how to price. You get extra credit if you can do both at once!!!! Seriously, don't get ripped off. My first coral was a Frogspawn frag. One head. $30. I, several months later found another at the LFS I like to go to (great prices). Nine heads. $60. So look around. You will be surprised.

 

Cool, thanks for the info. Do you have any experience buying corals online? Do you recommend it?

 

I think those are all good beginner corals, pretty hardy and forgiving generally speaking. I don't like xenia or mushrooms personally because they both can spread more than you want them to, mushrooms to less of an extent but they can detach and relocate to somewhere you don't want them and I prefer not to have to babysit like that.

Also careful ordering some coral online, like a frogspawn, euphyllia species like that sometimes don't ship well because they are pretty delicate physically and can get torn up en route. Any of the others I've heard are good shippers.

If you can buy something locally for your first coral I think that would be preferable, just to rule out as many potentially negative effects as possible and try and make sure your first coral is successful. Also, like John said, shop around a bit, you might be surprised how different stores are even if they're only blocks apart, try and find a shop that specializes in reef stuff if possible.

Also, just make sure your chemistry is right and you understand the coral's needs before tossing something in your tank and then finding out it has a dismal survival rate.

I always recommend parts 1, 2, and 3 of the chemistry articles listed at the top of the page here. Skip over any super technical stuff if you want (I do), there's still lots of easy to understand info in there.
Reefkeeping Online Magazine - Randy Holmes-Farley

 

Never done coral online. I have done starfish (two of three made it), snails (most made it) and macro algae (most made it). Never fish or coral. Not that I am against it. I have just found what I have been looking for locally.

 

k+ i bought a frogspawn with 7 heads for 60$ from lfs got it home and it opened right up... found out it actually has 9 heads and it is my pride and jy right now being my first coral in my 3-1/4 month old tank

 

Beautiful they are at full spread. I am a sucker for FS.

 

If you could find a local reefer, they will sometimes give/sell you frags to help get started.
Is there a local club where you live..?? Check with them..

I think hammers are nice.. And easy to keep..
Start Slow and cheap.. !!!!!
Don't load up on cheap corals, and have no room later.. LOL
Once you start getting corals you'll be hooked..
Candycanes are nice IF you buy local..

Did you use salt made for corals..??
I didn't, at the time I didn't know better..and took a while for me to get my Cal, mag, etc up..

Good Luck, Larry