Corals for beginners, what not to buy.

[Bryn]

When people like myself first enter the world of saltwater, we are always looking to, excuse the pun, but dip our toe in the water to see what it is like. We look for the easy beginner sections to start, things that won't go wrong, keeps the excitement level up, and interest. But what lurks in the shallow end can sometimes be more dangerous than the open sea, insert Jaws music.

Tell me your five beginner corals that should not be sold to beginners, and why. Or your beginner coral that became a nightmare. The first one that comes to mind is Pulsing Xenia, can you add any others.

Thanks

Bryn

 

[rworegon]

Seafoam green palys. They're cheap and grow fast, almost impossible to kill. BUT, once they start spreading almost impossible to stop.

 

[pickupman66]

Ive seen blue clove polyps and Green star polyps take over tanks! Same with those cute little tulip anemonees AKA MOJANOS!

 

[johnanddawn]

1) Gonipora - only experienced reefers and even they have unpredictable results
2) Acropora - at least till you get use to keeping water stable
3) High end designer anything - don't spend that kind of money till you know what you really like and what you can keep, too many people dump a ton of money before they know what they are doing and then up frustrated and broke. Many beautiful corals are reasonably priced. And buy aqua cultured if you can and by aqua cultured i don't mean chop shopped.
4) Clean up crew myths. You don't need a ton of inverts like many people recommend, a few snails is all you need. Hermits, other crabs, shrimp, starfish and other echinoderms, are all cool but not needed and some become problems. Be very careful before you buy. Flame scallops and sea apples are classic fails that newbies fall for.
5) I know you said corals but equally important is fish selection. Stick to hardy proven fish that are reef safe. Too many people add fish without proper research first and end up with bully's or nippers and then come on forums like this and ask what's wrong. The info is already out there - read first, then buy. Dwarf angels are a classic example, they are beautiful and sometimes it works out but they are known nippers and it is very risky to chance one especially in a new reef.

 

[schooleyosis]

Xenia coral!!! We talked about this Bryn. It looks awesome but can take over quickly.

 

[jeffblly]

I wish I never bought mushrooms. They grow randomly all over my tank like aptasia.

 

[thereeferdude]

It has already been said, but green star polyps are my bane. And brown palys. That said, anybody want some?!? Lol

 

[Pappy]

Luckily I've had people guide me along the way and I actually listened lol. Xenia, gsp, etc...wish I never put shrooms though last pinks and golds. Luckily I never put those in but a buddy has about 1000 in his sump!

 

[Bishop]

I always find it sorta funny cause xenia and GSP are always at the top of people's bane list but these are two of my favorite corals. Green Button polyps have become my bane. There are times that I wander if draining the tank and taking a wire brush to those things would rid them.

 

[Genesis Corals]

Sadly corals that are easy to keep as beginners are the ones the will over take your tank in no time. It just depends on the look you want for your tank. I think a huge field of xenia is awesome looking, but not someting I personally want in my tank.

 

[NanaReefer]

Mushroom's, very invasive. Green implosion Palys, also invasive.


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[calvo15290]

It has already been said, but green star polyps are my bane. And brown palys. That said, anybody want some?!? Lol

My pallys don't go crazy there brown with a green center

 

[Rhino]

I always find it sorta funny cause xenia and GSP are always at the top of people's bane list but these are two of my favorite corals. Green Button polyps have become my bane. There are times that I wander if draining the tank and taking a wire brush to those things would rid them.

Lol I will take some green button polyps I like them.

 

[nelson.jdautobody]

some corals are easy but you dont want because they grow too fast and on everything, and others are just way to sensitive.
gonipora...to sensitive
gregorian....way to sensitive
high end acros...higher end ones for some reason seem more sensitive, kind of like a mutt compared to a pure bred dog
mushrooms...tank takeover
xenia....tank takeover

 

[nelson.jdautobody]

you would think sticking with zoas and palys would be a safe bet, but nope....just like acros in my tank, the ones you bought first and dont really care as much about sem to grow great in any condition....and the ones you spent the big $$$ requires a very specific lighting, placement, water flow, etc. frustrating for sure but i think its one of those things where its not one size fits all....some things thrive in one tank but not another...go figure

 

[McAllyn]

I've steered a couple new reefers away from Kenya Trees, GSP, and Xenia. When I'm talking to someone who wants to get started and they use the "I've never done this before, so I want to get something easy to start with." I tell them, "Nothing about this is easy. If all you want is easy, then visit the aquarium every so often. If you plan on learning anyway, then learn BEFORE you start and buy what you really want when it's time."

Mac

 

[Bryn]

I tell them, "Nothing about this is easy. If all you want is easy, then visit the aquarium every so often. If you plan on learning anyway, then learn BEFORE you start and buy what you really want when it's time."

Mac

Had to chuckle at that.

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

My experience is that Blue Snowflake Polyps will take over a tank quicker than Green Stars or Xenia.

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[Eienna]

You can keep clove polyps from taking over if you put them on their own "island" of rock, surrounded by sand.

 

[calvo15290]

I did that