Beginner corals

[Lee Haynes]

Hello guys

I'm completely new to this hobby.

I'm still cycling my tank but I've got my rocks how I'd like them now and I'm starting to shop around for corals.

I really like things like tree corals and some birds nest corals but I've heard a lot of them are hard to keep as a beginner.

Can anyone recommend/suggest some corals for me that are easier to keep?

 

[Downbeach]

Here is a good article on some starter corals. But, you'd be better served to allow your system to stabilize and mature a bit, even for these corals.

http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/about-corals/best-beginner-coral-choices/

 

[Lee Haynes]

Here is a good article on some starter corals. But, you'd be better served to allow your system to stabilize and mature a bit, even for these corals.

http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/about-corals/best-beginner-coral-choices/

Thanks very much for that!

I wasn't getting anything yet just ideas so I can work out if I need to get anything ready in regards to upgrades etc

 

[Rattooth]

Good beginner corals , in my opinion:
Colt Coral, Leather Coral, Zoanthids, Mushrooms, Montiporias.
And a couple that are hardy and grow fast, but I think you need to be careful as beginner, because they grow so fast they can dominate a tank, are Green Star Polyps, and Pulsing Xenia.

 

[Lee Haynes]

Good beginner corals , in my opinion:
Colt Coral, Leather Coral, Zoanthids, Mushrooms, Montiporias.
And a couple that are hardy and grow fast, but I think you need to be careful as beginner, because they grow so fast they can dominate a tank, are Green Star Polyps, and Pulsing Xenia.

Thanks I'll definitely be careful as to what I get.

 

[Oscaror]

here's a rule I have:
Don't get it just because it's coral
If you do that your tank will most likely become 90% green and there'll be no variety
Unless you like green, I'm not criticizing anyone's tastes.

 

[Lee Haynes]

here's a rule I have:
Don't get it just because it's coral
If you do that your tank will most likely become 90% green and there'll be no variety
Unless you like green, I'm not criticizing anyone's tastes.

I'll probably only get one thing that's green. I want a big range of colour blue, pink, yellow, orange, purple and red

 

[heathd.hd]

Get some zoas and pallies put them on big coral discs and see if you can grow them! Worst thing that can happen is they melt. If it goes well you have grown a colony and you take them into lfs for credit on some sps or sell them to someone else.

 

[Lee Haynes]

Get some zoas and pallies put them on big coral discs and see if you can grow them! Worst thing that can happen is they melt. If it goes well you have grown a colony and you take them into lfs for credit on some sps or sell them to someone else.

Can someone make money growing corals then?

 

[heathd.hd]

Yah it's a billion dollar buisness. (I don't really have any data on what the actually yearly revenue from growing corals is).

But sure man. I've been growing and selling stuff just to help with my tank funds.

I grew zoas for the last year and just got rid of them for a bunch of acans instead.

 

[Lee Haynes]

Nice! Upgrade pocket money I like it! I guess it makes sense it's an expensive hobby. It's no different to keen gardeners selling flower cuttings

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Birds nests are not that hard to keep. For first time corals, I would go with zoas/palys, mushrooms, or some easy to keep LPS. Leather corals can also be easy to keep too.

 

[Lee Haynes]

Birds nests are not that hard to keep. For first time corals, I would go with zoas/palys, mushrooms, or some easy to keep LPS. Leather corals can also be easy to keep too.

I love birds nest corals and some mushrooms so that should keep me going for a while with some zoas

 

[Oscaror]

Also, don't put GSP n the rocks. I love GSP, it's beautiful, and it moves in the current so nicely, but it grows too fast! It only belong where it won't bother corals, like on the back wall, or on it's own rock.

 

[Chris-tico]

go for zoas! is really cool to see them growing.!! and theres a lot of colors!! really cool corals.

im addicted to them!

check this thread out!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/post-up-pictures-of-your-favorite-colony.51153/

 

[Lee Haynes]

Also, don't put GSP n the rocks. I love GSP, it's beautiful, and it moves in the current so nicely, but it grows too fast! It only belong where it won't bother corals, like on the back wall, or on it's own rock.

Yes GSP looks great in the flow of the water! I'll be weary of that though. Will it grow on a back wall?

 

[Lee Haynes]

go for zoas! is really cool to see them growing.!! and theres a lot of colors!! really cool corals.

im addicted to them!

check this thread out!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/post-up-pictures-of-your-favorite-colony.51153/

Yes I do love them, and I love that they come in many different colours

 

[bevans116]

I would say most LPS are great starter corals. Acans are beautiful and come in so many colors.

 

[Lee Haynes]

I would say most LPS are great starter corals. Acans are beautiful and come in so many colors.

I was just looking at those! they have great colours! I'm addicted to colour

 

[heathd.hd]

Acans will be a bit touchy on peramiters. You will need to be fairly decent at keeping your alkalinity stable. Seems like your doing your homework so go for it!

I would read into kalk water for starters. Randy holmes Farley has written some nice articles and I have adopted his methods.


Acans color can be a bit finicky also. Alot of people say they just turn orange in there tanks. Idk mine look pretty dang good under leds so I'm happy about that!