What to add o the tank?

Having never had anything but saltwater fish before, what would be the suggested first corals to add to my reef? The tank has 25 lbs of live rock and 6 hermits as well as 3 turbo snails. The crew was small because my lfs suggested it would work in my 55 gallon tank. As all have suggested, I am going very slow and would like to begin adding items to the reef. I have red coraline growing as well as several different colors of coraline. The tank has cycled and has been running for 10 weeks total, 5 of which had the live rock. I think the time is right but I need some help at getting the first items in. Thanks

 

It really depends. You should let it cycle more, as you probably re-set your cycle when you added more live rock. Are you going to be keeping fish also? You should probably consider getting more rock, as its your primary biological filter. General rule of thumb is at least a pound of sand per gallon, with 1.5-2lbs of rock per gallon.

 

For the most part soft corals and some polyps are safe for beginners (xenia etc). Keep in mind you have to do research because there's a very long list of things that shouldn't be considered in a new tank for 6 months a year. (i.e. anemones, stony corals) As mission said you will have to be mindful of lighting and the depth of your tank.

 

I totally agree with Missionsix, light will determine what you can have. We need to know what kind of lighting do you have. PC's, HO, VHO or MH's??? Luna

 

EXACTLY what I was thinking. K+

At this point you may want to consider base rock. It's cheaper. What you have in the tank will seed it. I would aim for about 90lbs.

Go slow dude. Slow, slow, slow. I think you need more biological filtration before you add corals. Another a couple of months and some more rock, you will be ready to go.

If you do not have it listed, what other hardware do you have?

Peace.......John.

 

Lighting is a question , a good skimmer is a question and I would wait a little longer you could try some zenia or some mushrooms they are cheap and if they survive you will know if you are ready for anything else I think you tank is still young though.

 

Yup, many variables. I went the route of bio filtration and good hardware first and lights last. That is my next and last big purchase. I have been running PCs (2x65 daylight and 4x55 daylight/actinic) and I can barely keep the easy corals. I just got a small flower pot and had to build up a ledge especially for that, close to the water surface. I may have to take this one back if it does not thrive. I fear I may have overstepped my boundries.

It's hard to decide.....I had three huge expenditures: LR, Lighting and a good skimmer. What do ya do?

 

John, you may want to look into MH lighting or a good HO T5 setup in the future that would give you far more options on what you could keep in terms of corals.