How many corals can i add at once?

Well, i have a new 137 gallon tank. I was just curious as to how many corals (all kinds) i can add at any one time. The reason i ask is because my tank is currently cycling. Once the cycle is complete, i plan on adding corals. I was hoping to do this gradually like 99% of saltwater enthusiasts, but unfortunately, my lfs in Beirut does not get shipments that often (due to the recent instability in the country). The owner of the lfs is complaining that there is no longer a profitable market, and every time he brings in new stock, he gets stuck with it due to the length of time it takes to sell it all.

Anyways, i was thinking of telling him to sell me an entire shipment. Or maybe at least half of one. That way i can encourage him to place an order and finally start putting things in my new tank. What do you guys think?

 

Corals do not add that much load to a tanks bio load But if its a new and unsettled and not aged tank then I say just add a fish and a couple of corals you need some fish to help with maintenance nd to balance the system. and see how they do ? Is the tank well cycled and have good filtration and aged cure rock and sand then corals would ad little demand on it.. But I not having seen the tank ad set it up its a hard call . What are the water parameters now and over the last few months on average when tested ? What are the ammonias nitrites and nitrates Calcium and carbonates ? Lighting sufficient ? a good skimmer?

 

As Tangster said the coral doesn't really place too much on your tank, causing your tank to cycle alittle again as if you added a fish. But you want to make sure that your water will be able to keep corals alive.
It is better for you to add a few at a time to make sure everything is going well or you run the risk of possibly killing al the corals and then that adds to other problems regarding water chemistry!
What are you using for lighting and skimmer? Are you going with a sump and/or refugium?

 

Hey guys
I truly appreciate the responses. Unfortunately, my tank is still cycling at the moment. I didnt even get all the live rock i need in there. I was planning on getting the live rock with the coral shipment. Thats what stinks bout living in Beirut. My LFS didnt have enough live rock, so i took what he had, and he wont have any more till the next fish/coral/live rock shipment comes in from jakarta. God knows when that is cause he is hesitant bout placing the order I dont wanna commit to buying half the shipment just to motivate him to place an order. Especially since my tank/water is brand new.

 

Tupps,

Contact SunnyX on RC. He lives in Michigan, USA currently but he's from Beirut and has relatives there and knows a lot of people.

EDIT: Ali know's his stuff. Tank of the Month - July 2006 - Reefkeeping.com

 

Thanks for the info bud. Ill try contacting them now

 

That is an amazing tank!!! Another thing is the fact that alot of the things he mentioned, many of us have been preaching and stressing for along time! Things such as taking things slow, superb skimmer filtration to remove DOM etc. and the fact that you can get by with 2.25watts per gallon if your water is crystal clear makes sense as many things will reflect the amount of lighting reaching your corals(it is about the amount of light)! Weekly water changes, adding carbon and phosphate remover! Proper water parameters being the main ingredient towards a successful and long term tank, more so than the lighting!!!
These things are viable and not impossible to create and achieve the desired results as Sunny has portrayed so nicely! We can all achieve this if we set our minds to it, don't try to cut corners, READ, READ and then read some more and research before you go out a buy a piece of equipment or another piece of coral or that beautiful fish. Make sure that your parameters and other important aspects are met and/or exceded before buying that livestock you desire!

 

I think that another thing that all of us can learn from Ali is perserverence. Back in late 2003, he was ready to throw in the towel because he had a dinoflagellate bloom of epic proportions. A few of us helped him stiffen his resolve and look at the result. Pretty impressive if you ask me.