Ready for first coral?

I've got a 29g that's been up and running for a couple months. At the moment its only stocked with two false percs, a yellow watchman goby/tiger pistol pair and a cuc. Its sitting under a wavepoint 4x24w t5 fixture (2x10000k/2xactinic). I'd like to swap my bulbs out for two aquablue specials, a blue+ and a purple+. That will be happening in a week or two.

All the basic parameters seem to be in line. 0 ammonia/nitrates, Ph 8.3, nitrites hovering between 5-10ppm. Calcium is around 420ppm, alkalinity 10. According to my research, these seem to be in-line. Is there anything I'm missing? I've been hesitant to buy coral, almost taken the plunge a few times but keep second guessing myself. I'm going near my lfs tomorrow and might stop by if you all can convince me that I'm ready.

I intend to start with softies and maybe some lps (they have this REALLY cool neon green/blue acan that I'd love to pick up). Ill also be looking at zoos, mushrooms and perhaps a frogspawn and some gsp (lfs does a 3/$59 deal - will have to decide tomorrow). Are any of these corals out of my league?

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I'm gonna be in your situation in another month. I wouldnt hesitate at all. Your params seem fine and you should be able to drop some shrooms and zoas and GSP in there tomorrow no problem. Post pics if ya do!

 

I agree. The zoos, mushrooms and GSP will be just fine in your tank. These corals are really easy to keep as well. Place the shrooms in a low flow area and they should really open up for you once they acclimate to your aquarium. I started out with the same three types of corals in my tank. They have been in there for only one month and they are already spreading a lot.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/first-reef-tank-16-gallon-bowfront-112058.html

First few weeks of corals being in my tank.

Pictures by smitty_1280 - Photobucket

Pics after one month.

12 July 2011 pictures by smitty_1280 - Photobucket

Good luck to you!

 

Do you mean the nitrates are around 5-10, rather than nitrites?

If nitrates that is a fine value.

I see no problems with any of the corals you have listed. Have fun shopping.

 

xenia*!!!,leather coral*!,kenya trees!!,and clove polyps!! are nice softies to.
favia**,favites**,hammer**,fungia,frogspawn**,torch***,etc are nice LPS corals.
* means they are aggressive to other coral
! means that they can spread very fast(can not will)
the more * or ! means they can spread faster or be more aggressive.
HTH

 

Yes, I meant nitrates . Was late night last night...

I took the plunge this morning, bought some Caulastrea, frogspawn (I think, that's what the LFS said, anyway. I haven't seen much frogspawn aside from pictures, but this one looks a little odd to me. None-the-less, I like it) and a small ricordea frag. Sadly, my acan was sold .

I'm a little worried about the ric, it came off its plug in transport. Will it be ok to just set it on a rock in a low-flow area and see what happens?

I'll post pics later once everything is acclimated and happy.

 

If it were me I would put the ricordia, towards the sand bed at a lower level in the tank, facing it at an angle, with the body of it pointing away from the light. They grow better when not placed in what most would consider an upright position in my opinion.

Congrats on the new corals.

 

I'm excited to follow your progress. We have a 29g too and would like to be able to add some corals in a couple months. Keep us updated!