"Reef Safe"

Im curious about the fish I am allowed to put in my tank (90g, 75lbs live rock). I know some fish cant go in reef tanks, is there a difference which kind of reef/coral i get (LPS vs SPS)?

I also get the reef safe - but with caution...which confuses me even more

any tips/comments greatly appreciated.

thanks!

 

Some fish that arent reef safe is because they eat inverts like cleaner shrimp, snails, and hermits.

Caution is because some fish of that species probably have nipped at coral before or inverts. For example, dwarf angelfish, are "with caution" because its a 50/50 chance they might eat coral or not.

 

+1 on above

some fish, such as large angels will browse on corals ( LPS corals seem to be a favourite based on many accounts I have read)

 

thanks for the quick replies....i plan to have an anemone to host my clowns

a quick question, as i am very new to this hobby, which corals are for starts lps or sps, i believe its hard or soft?

 

sort of yes

LPS = large polyp stony corals, they have a calcium based skeleton but have very large expandable in many cases areas of flesh that cover the skeleton - examples such as Frogspawn, Bubble coral, Elegance, Torch, Chalice, Acans etc

SPS = small polyp stony corals, which also have a calcium skeleton, but it is covered with a much thinner layer of flesh and have much smaller polyps
examples such as , Acropora, Montipora,

check out the SPS and LPS forums on this site, for many more examples of both these types of corals
Steve

 

and then there are soft corals, probably the best for beginners. things like mushrooms, polyps, leather corals, etc.

 

ive seen hammer and torch corals, are those suitable for a beginner?

 

Yes IMHO, both of those corals are relatively undemanding and as such suitable for beginners , once the beginner has researched the basic needs

for both species
Moderate flow ( mine are happier in 30x tank volume or less but do not like direct water movement at them )
moderate - high lighting - they can adapt reasonably well due to their ability to either inflate or deflate in order to regulate how much flesh is expossed to light
both benefit from occasional feedings, although many have kept them for very long periods without target feeding them
they do no seem overly concerned about water quality and are probably happier in water with some nutrients available (if you choose not to feed them)

standard water parameters
Mag - 1300 - 1400 - over is OK as many salt mixes these days come with higher mag content anyway
Calcium - 380 - 450
DKH - 7 - 11

they do have calcium skeleton, and they do grow, but they are not as demanding on calcium / Alkalinity as SPS corals as such water changes alone can often be enough to maintain parameters (depending on your total stocking)

Steve