Adding Coral?

[scubasteve1]

If I am about to add coral to my 20g, what all do I need to make sure I do and/or have to make sure they do well? Are there any elements I need to add?

I have t-5s set up, and im about to get a powerhead to add for water flow.

 

[Russellaqua]

Partly it depends on what type of coral you plan on keeping, whether it's softies, LPS, or SPS, or a mixed reef. In general though:

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitirites: 0 ppm
Nitrates: <1.0 ppm
Phosphate: 0.1 ppm or lower
pH: ~8.2
Temperature: ~75*F
Calcium: ~420 ppm
Magnesium: ~1300 ppm
Alkalinity: ~10dKh
Salinity/Specific Gravity: 35 ppt/1.024

Softies can deal with slightly "dirty" water, whereas SPS should only be kept in tanks that have been established for a long time and need very clean water. The test kits are really quite invaluable when starting out with corals, as they will show you what you can easily keep, and how your corals are utilizing the nutrients in the water. Let us know what types of coral you'd like to keep and we can get a little more specific.

 

[scubasteve1]

Thanks, I kinda know what I want. I want to get an anemone, zoas, and a birds nest coral. Those to start? I really don't know..

 

[scubasteve1]

For a powerhead what do you recommend and what size I looked at some Koralias but I dont know how much follow i need for a 20g

 

[snyderusaf]

I'm sure you did lots of research like I did but you probably also excited so I am going to foot stomp: don't forget to use the drip method for acclimation and don't rush it (should take and hour or more), I did this on my first coral and learned my lesson! then also acclimation to your light cycle will be important try to minimize it for the first few days and slowly increase it. the fish will be ok with this.

 

[snyderusaf]

powerhead depends on the corals want for water flow. slow you'd be fine with just a filter or 1 nano powerhead would be fine. high motion obviously more.

 

[scubasteve1]

Yeah, I have read alot! but I just can't figure out what powerhead i need. and i need a way to get better water without get a ro/di system too...

 

[TooTime]

A Koralia 1 or 2 should be fine in your 20 gallon tank. You could also use a vortec mp 10 or 20 if you wanted to get high tech, they would be able to do larger tanks in the long run as well.

 

[scubasteve1]

powerhead depends on the corals want for water flow. slow you'd be fine with just a filter or 1 nano powerhead would be fine. high motion obviously more.

makes sense. Thank you! I just need to do more research

 

[scubasteve1]

A Koralia 1 or 2 should be fine in your 20 gallon tank. You could also use a vortec mp 10 or 20 if you wanted to get high tech, they would be able to do larger tanks in the long run as well.

Ok, I will look at those too, Thanks!

 

[returnofsid]

As long as your tank is stable, you should be fine adding corals. You'll want to research your coral "want list" to make sure you're meeting that corals requirements for light and flow. As far as an anemone, I think I'd hold off. Personally, I don't feel your tank is large enough for most anemones. Even anemones that are considered easy to keep, such as BTA and RBTA, get much too large for a 20 gallon tank. Other anemone, that may not get as large, such as Sebae, are considered more difficult, usually require more lighting and more stable tank conditions. You could look at the Maxi Mini Anemones, but be aware that, as with a lot of anemone, they move around and pack a powerful sting.

 

[scubasteve1]

they move around and pack a powerful sting.

that is true.... sooooo what would be good for clowns, I didnt know if they would host with other fish in the tank and i was going to get an anemone for them

 

[snyderusaf]

Most clownfish dont need an anemone to host especially if they are tank bred. they host just about anything in place of one. I find they like LPS corals alot!