Help me get started!

So I have decided after years of just having fish I am going to attempt coral! I have a standard 30 gallon full of live rock that has been running for a month with an xp3 150 gallon filter on it, whats next!

 

I think you nailed the next step on the head – posting here before doing anything, good for you.

I suggest you post the full range of test results, we can see what you test for and suggest other test kits if necessary. Please tell us of your lighting, current salt mix, maintenance, and rest of your system (ro/di, fuge, skimmer, etc)

After that when you are ready you will start with easy corals, like button polyps, leathers and mushrooms. Liveaquaria.com has a decent section of beginner corals and they have well organized write-ups of each.

Very exciting time for you – I look forward to seeing how you progress ! good luck.

 

next is either a good light or a bigger tank and a good light

 

I would love a bigger tank but thats the issue, I had to give up my 2 big tanks, a 250 cube tank and a 350 standard.... sad sad days, but regardless i am determined to make this 30 gallon work, and considering the filtration I think I will be ok.

 

look for a 4 bulb t5 fixture first. and get some test kits for cal,phos,nitrates,dkh,mag,etc.. start with some easy zoas, mushrooms, etc.. as stated above.. can you setup a 10g fuge/sump under your 30g DT?

 

You probably already have the test kits for ammonia. phos, and nits. you will want to look into a reef master kit of some sort with as night stated cal,mag,dkh, and possibly some form of dosing. Also you need a powerhead or two. Maybe two Koralia 2's, or a 1 and a 2. Other than that like night rida said lighting is your main thing. A sump is a + but not a neccessity

 

Corals need lots of light (over 4 Watts per gallon). Otherwise they won't increase their size and slowly dwindle away. They are sensitive to certain water parameters especially excessive nitrogen or extreme temperature changes. I recommend doing a lot of research first, because there are many species of corals with different needs. Some are more aggressive than others and you have to choose which ones can live harmoniously together. The time spent learning about them is worth it, because they look beautiful.