Thinking of going reef....

Discussion in 'Coral' started by rbok, Oct 6, 2009.

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  1. rbok

    rbok Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Ok, so I have new lights coming and I am thinking of going ahead and starting a reef, running T8's currently. Right now I have a 46 gal. In it is a True Perc, a Spotted Puffer (the most shy fish I have), a Foxface, Naso Tang, and a Blue Damsel. I also have a few nems (Long Tentacle, Bubble Tip, and a Haitian). I have about 65-75 lbs of live rock. The lights I have coming are T5's, its a Nova Extreme with Lunar LED.

    So, I am just curious (and I know there will be a ton of opinions of this) what good "starter" corals are for me considering all the above. Thanks a ton!!
     
    rbok, Oct 6, 2009
    rbok, Oct 6, 2009
    #1
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  2. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

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    How long have you had the anemones?
     
    mikejrice, Oct 6, 2009
    mikejrice, Oct 6, 2009
    #2
  3. rbok

    rbok Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I have had the Haitian and the bubble for about 4 months, the LTA is about 2 months old. Will the nems not play nicely?
     
    rbok, Oct 6, 2009
    rbok, Oct 6, 2009
    #3
  4. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

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    They can sting and kill corals. My point in asking that is you have been keeping anemones that are much harder to keep than most corals so when your lights get there jump right in and you should do fine. You anemones will be much happier with the t5s too.

    Most softies and LSP corals will be good ones to start with. When you get into SPS you need monstrous flow and near perfect water conditions.
     
    mikejrice, Oct 6, 2009
    mikejrice, Oct 6, 2009
    #4
  5. DaDaAtlanta

    DaDaAtlanta Feather Star

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    Doo It! Doo It! Doo It!
     
    DaDaAtlanta, Oct 6, 2009
    DaDaAtlanta, Oct 6, 2009
    #5
  6. cdeboard

    cdeboard Montipora Digitata

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    Wow what a selection of fish together.. in a 46g lol

    Naso is one of the larger tangs.. can get up to 18".. will quickly outgrow your tank.

    Your t5's will rock for coral and things, and if your nems are happy and not moving. Shouldn't cause too much of an issue.
     
    cdeboard, Oct 6, 2009
    cdeboard, Oct 6, 2009
    #6

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  7. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    First thing to do if your starting a reef in a 46 gallon is find new homes for the foxface,naso and puffer. Naso and Foxface are to large for that tank and a puffer will eat corals and inverts.
     
    oceanparadise1, Oct 6, 2009
    oceanparadise1, Oct 6, 2009
    #7
  8. UltimateWarrior

    UltimateWarrior Spaghetti Worm

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    Pick up a leather or some shrooms. Mushrooms are closely related to anemones, and way easier to care for! Zoas are also pretty easy to take care of, plus they add a lot of color. Have fun with it!
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2009
    UltimateWarrior, Oct 6, 2009
    UltimateWarrior, Oct 6, 2009
    #8
  9. sailorguy

    sailorguy Torch Coral

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    A big +1 to this,it will be much easier to catch the fish now than when you have added more rocks/corals.If the fish are good and healthy you might get some store credit to help start that reef.
     
    sailorguy, Oct 7, 2009
    sailorguy, Oct 7, 2009
    #9