Starter Coral

My tank is 1 month old old now and I want to add my first coral sometime soon. I love frogspawn but I've read they're not the easiest. I'm not a fan of zoas for some reason, but maybe a bright colored mushroom? I'm not really sure where to start but I wanted to read up and get some options before I go and buy one. Also what are the rules for acclimating etc...we through out live rock right in the tank, the store said not to scrub or rinse or anything but I think most people probably do. I need all the hairy details!

And it will be going in 14 gallon so I'm sure that needs to be taken into consideration. Thanks!

 

Hi Katie

in all honesty I have never added a coral within 12 weeks of setting up any SW tank
its just the way I was informed to do it, I know many people add them much sooner

for a 1st coral in a 14 gallon, shrooms would be a good choice, there are some really nice reds, blues, and my favourites are the green as they flouresce under the actinic lighting

another good starter coral IME are Green Star polyps GSP

Steve

 

How can you not like zoo's? STONE THIS PERSON!

Well, shrooms/rics are good. Ton of different variety and same care level for all, basically. Kenya tree is a cool easy one. Xenia, GSP's, leathers, are all fairly easy too.

 

If you like frogspawns than that would be OK. They aren't hard to care for my first coral was a frogspawn and it is doing great.

 

I think mushrooms are a great first choice. They are almost invincible! Ok well very hardy at very least, you can pick one with some wild colors, grow a few more mushrooms. Sell them all and pay for your next choice!

 

Mushrooms and GSP can basically live in the toilet tank so you'll be fine with those. Just make sure you get ones you like because they will be EVERYWHERE in no time.

 

Thanks guys, anything else I should know about corals?

Steve is there a reason for not putting in a coral before 12 weeks or is that just preference? I know there's so many opinions. I've heard you can put them in after your fish are stable and I got my first fish 2 weeks ago.

 

That is the period of the most unstability in a tank. Also gives you some time to learn what is going on in your tank.

 

Thank you for the help, I'll do my best to hold off

 

Just remember your tank is VERY young, your waters not stable yet. IMHO
Leather or mushrooms would be good.. Stay away from Frogspawn or any LPS
Till your tanks older.. And you start checking for Cal. etc..
For color, mushrooms would be your best bet.. And you should add stuff for filterfeeders ..Hold back on anymore fish till your tanks alittle older..

Good Luck, Larry