Help a newb please!

[Dmsick]

My tank is through the nitrogen cycle and working it's way through the various algae. I have 2 saddleback clowns with a little over a week left in quarantine. I'm thinking about a first coral. Someone posted a great thread called What Coral Do You Most Regret Adding to Your System?
I realized that many of the corals mentioned are frequently recommended as good beginner or first corals. I really like zoas and plan to stick with zoas and soft corals and maybe some LPS.

My question is: what is a good first coral that won't leave me filled with regret?

 

[Idoc]

Frogspawn was recommended to me... looks really nice in a tank!

 

[Dmsick]

Frogspawn was recommended to me... looks really nice in a tank!

Thanks! I do think they are nice looking. Any issues with it stinging surrounding corals?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'll agree with frogspawn, or any euphyllia coral really. And zoas and other soft corals are great if kept in check. There are alot of beautiful tanks out there with soft corals only

 

[Idoc]

Thanks! I do think they are nice looking. Any issues with it stinging surrounding corals?

I believe they can be a little aggressive and can extend several inches away. I see many people with large flowing ones in their tanks with other things close to them, though. Maybe it's more trial and error to see what works by then.

 

[Idoc]

I'll agree with frogspawn, or any euphyllia coral really. And zoas and other soft corals are great if kept in check. There are alot of beautiful tanks out there with soft corals only

Exactly...I really like the look of LPS and soft corals slightly moving in a tank. I haven't caught the SPS bug yet...to me, they look like a bunch of sticks from a distance (when small frags)...but SPS look beautiful when mature!

 

[Dmsick]

Thanks for the suggestions Idoc and Crabs! Crabs, what do you mean by zoas are great if kept in check? Can they be invasive? I know star polyps can be invasive but they are not true zoas, correct?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Correct that gsp are not zoas. I happen to like gsp as it can be very pretty and have great movement. I prefer the Briarium to the Pachyclavularia. Just a cool color green and longer tentacles usually.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thanks for the suggestions Idoc and Crabs! Crabs, what do you mean by zoas are great if kept in check? Can they be invasive? I know star polyps can be invasive but they are not true zoas, correct?

As with all corals, they continuously grow. Soft corals just happen to be much faster at it, and soft corals tend to grow out in a mat, so zoas, green star polyps, xenia ect grow out and will invade and choke out other corals. So they occasionally need to be trimmed back unless you keep them on their own secluded rock island where they cant easily spread. I did this with my zoanthids. My eagle eye and radioactive dragon zoas are on one rock, and my pink panther and midnight blues are on another rock if you do put them on your main rockwork be mindful of what corals you're trimming back as some can be toxic when fragged.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Briarium can grow across sand fairly easily, so that one does need to be kept in check. Easy enough to do though if you are willing.

 

[Dmsick]

So basically, I need to maintain my underwater garden just like the one in my yard!
Thanks guys.

 

[Jensen Baravay]

So basically, I need to maintain my underwater garden just like the one in my yard!
Thanks guys.

So, are you getting some frogspawn? Definitely great for starting out.

 

[Dmsick]

Not sure yet. I may pick up my first coral this weekend. It will either be a frogspawn, a torch or a hammer. I’m pretty excited about it!

 

[Jensen Baravay]

Not sure yet. I may pick up my first coral this weekend. It will either be a frogspawn, a torch or a hammer. I’m pretty excited about it!

I imagine my reef is just a little further along in the process than yours, I just got my frogspawn in the tank. It hasn't spawned any frogs yet though. Haha, you know I'm just joshin. Anyway, best of luck with your tank my friend.

 

[Zos4me]

I have hammers and a few Zoanthids. My coral are still on rocks or plugs and not permanent in the tank yet just in case something bad happens i can yank them

 

[Jensen Baravay]

I have hammers and a few Zoanthids. My coral are still on rocks or plugs and not permanent in the tank yet just in case something bad happens i can yank them

Smart idea, I always put mine in with no intent of taking them out, I hardly ever check on the state of the tank, never had anything go wrong thankfully.

 

[Katrina71]

Hammers are moody. They will stress you out as a first Coral IMO. Gsp is an easy Coral. It also kinda tells you what's going on in your tank by looking at it. It is easily controlled.

 

[Jensen Baravay]

Hammers are moody. They will stress you out as a first Coral IMO. Gsp is an easy Coral. It also kinda tells you what's going on in your tank by looking at it. It is easily controlled.

Just got some of those myself, definetly helpful to have.

 

[Katrina71]

Dang, I wish you lived closer. You could have some of mine.

 

[Dmsick]

Hammers are moody. They will stress you out as a first Coral IMO. Gsp is an easy Coral. It also kinda tells you what's going on in your tank by looking at it. It is easily controlled.

Interesting. I’ve had others say to avoid GSP due to having them take over the tank. I do like them when I see them.