Adding coral to new tank

[kristenfeck]

I have completed cycling my first tank. I cycled the tank for 7 weeks (longer than I planned on) and my levels are as follows:

pH 8.2
Nitrite 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrate 40 ppm

Over the last three weeks the Nitrite has completly plumited and the Nitrate has been lowering very steddely from 160 ppm to 40 ppm (I assume it will continue on this trend). I also have live sand and two large live rocks in the tank.

My goal is to create a reef aquarium with a few fish. I am unsure where to go from here. Should I try to introduce coral, and if so what types are best to start with? Are there any other tests besides the ones I have listed and salinity levels that I should be doing at this point?

Thank you in advance for all your advice!

Kristen

 

[tyler1503]

Personally, I'd wait till the nitrate dropped to about 20 or so, but 40 isn't the end of the world.
You could add a few hardy corals if you wanted to. Or a fish
There are more tests that people will tell you that you HAVE to do like calcium alkalinity and magnesium, but if you only add one or two small corals and keep up with water changes it'll be fine for now. The LFS can check these for you to be on the safe side anyway.
What lights do you have?
And what is the flow like?

 

[ReeferRookie]

I would add a chromis. No corals at this point wait to nitrate drops more mines at zero

 

[vic67]

Anything added to the tank should be done slowly; one or two corals or fish at one time. What kind of coral depends on your lights. And check for the care a fish will need before purchasing BC some might need special care or grow large rather quickly.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Either way coral will probably die. Before a fish and theyre more exspensive

 

[vic67]

Either way coral will probably die. Before a fish and theyre more exspensive

If the tank is completely cycled and the coral chosen is supported by the lights, why would it did?

 

[tyler1503]

If the tank is completely cycled and the coral chosen is supported by the lights, why would it did?

It wouldn't. Like you say as long as the tank is cycled and there is sufficient light and flow, it will be fine I had my 5gal completely full of coral for a while before I added a fish and I still have most of those pieces thriving 3 years later. A lot of people don't even have fish in their reefs or frag tanks.