Help with Coral Shopping List

[AKL1950]

Well, my system has been up and running close to four months now. Everything seems to be going well. Only issues I’ve had to deal with are nitnoy ones. Had a Diatom bloom last month when I turned the lights on. That went away in about a week. Got a nice complement of snails. Other one is the ridiculous Apex Salinity prob. Still trying to figure out a place where there are no air bubbles. That’s still work in progress. Last group of fish go in next week. Display is a WaterBox 220.6. 167 gallon.

I’m looking forward to adding my first corals. The plan is mid September. I’ve got a pretty good Credit at WWC built up, so that’s where I’ll be going first.

My question is what and how many to start with. I plan on a lot of SPS (mostly Acro) with “other” corals down low. Since the system is fairly new, I’m not sure what types to start with that would have the best survival chances in a new tank. Also, how many to start with. I fully plan on a gradual increase over the next year.

I would like something low the clowns would like. I really like branching hammers. Not sure what else to put low in the tank. Acro’s…..love them all. They will be covering most of the mid to high rock structure. Are some of them more hardy than others?

So, how many on my first buy and what might be some good strong starter Acropora?

(I’ve still got the lights set low, so pictures are with a flash).

Jetson

 

[fishski13]

Honestly with the first buy I would just stick to however much you are willing to risk just in case something goes wrong. You could definitely do a hammer as one of your pickups and other 'easy' not expensive corals that you can put in to make sure the water is all good and everything is on point to add futher corals.

 

[Uncle99]

I start with softies first, then down the road I add LPS and maybe some easier SPS. I try some easier Acros after a year of super stable water chemistry. The tank needs maturity to support acros, so for me, on top and dead last.

 

[AKL1950]

Thats about what I was thinking. I just haven’t looked at much except the Acropora. Is there a way to know when your tank is ready for Acropora, or is it just a gut feeling that things are stable enough for them.

 

[Lavey29]

Thats about what I was thinking. I just haven’t looked at much except the Acropora. Is there a way to know when your tank is ready for Acropora, or is it just a gut feeling that things are stable enough for them.

You will definitely know. After the one year mark my tank just seemed to become much more stable and predictable. Fish were stocked basic corals thriving. Coraline everywhere, little or no algae, etc... sounds like you are on a good path with patience. Start with some LPS and softies and as you approach the one year point start some acro frags. That's what I did and out of 25 SPS frags introduced I've only lost one due to shipping stress. Everything else doing great. Stability is key.

 

[AKL1950]

You will definitely know. After the one year mark my tank just seemed to become much more stable and predictable. Fish were stocked basic corals thriving. Coraline everywhere, little or no algae, etc... sounds like you are on a good path with patience. Start with some LPS and softies and as you approach the one year point start some acro frags. That's what I did and out of 25 SPS frags introduced I've only lost one due to shipping stress. Everything else doing great. Stability is key.

Roger. You mentioned Coraline Algae. I started this time with a bare system. No live rock. The only coraline that has crept into the system had to come in on the snails. I‘ve got plenty of light capability (4 Radion G5 Blue fixtures) but still have them at very low levels since I have no corals. Probably won’t see much coraline till I ramp them up a bit and add corals that have some on them. I guess the best thing to do is let WWC keep guiding me. Their main answer to everything I ask so far is “not yet”. I love the consistency. Their guidance has been great. Have to see what they say when I show up with my first coral shopping list next month. Bet I already know the answer.

Jetson

 

[Lavey29]

Roger. You mentioned Coraline Algae. I started this time with a bare system. No live rock. The only coraline that has crept into the system had to come in on the snails. I‘ve got plenty of light capability (4 Radion G5 Blue fixtures) but still have them at very low levels since I have no corals. Probably won’t see much coraline till I ramp them up a bit and add corals that have some on them. I guess the best thing to do is let WWC keep guiding me. Their main answer to everything I ask so far is “not yet”. I love the consistency. Their guidance has been great. Have to see what they say when I show up with my first coral shopping list next month. Bet I already know the answer.

Jetson

I think you are on a great path for a healthy system. You might have some additional ugly stages the first year but they will be manageable as you turn your lights on more. Just get a diverse cleaner crew. Keep building biodiversity with pods, phytoplankton and I recommend PNS probio a natural bacteria supplement. You are certainly ready for first corals and getting your fish stock where you want it. I run my radions at 70% on AB plus mode.

 

[AKL1950]

Thanks Lavey. The best guidance I have had in this start up process is everyone saying “the uglies are coming…….don’t over react! Be patient and they will go away.” Sure enough, they come and go as the system settles in. It’s the greatest thing, not being in a hurry. I guess the next hurdle will be green algae. Hopefully I will be ready. My group of algae eaters will be four tangs, two Bellus angles and the snails. I’ve heard a lot of people being negative on crabs, so I’m holding off on them. corals will come when things are ready. Just gotta figure out what I want. The process is fun. I’m enjoying the journey and not worried about getting to the destination right now.

Jetson