Being a beginner, reading, what corals, fish are safe? Like the look of zoa’s, don’t want to poison myself. So is there a list of safe animals? I wouldn’t want to get something then find out it wasn’t a good idea. Thanks for the info
The nice Zoas you see are not toxic like the one you are referring to. There is a lot of misconception around palytoxin and which Zoas/palys contain it. This article does a better job explaining it than I ever could so take a look.
The oceans are full of creatures capable of killing us; one of the more surprising marine menaces is a group of popular aquarium corals known variably as “but
reefs.com
Aside from that, there are many other hardy corals you can start with if you choose not going with Zoas. But you also want to think about what ultimately what type of tank you are aiming for. Since many people that start off a new tank and are just getting their feet wet usually aim towards a softy/euphyllia tank- softies, leathers, and mushrooms are generally a good place to start. And then euphyllia once things balance out and you have a rhythm down of maintenance and such.
This link is for a video which goes over some good choices.
Living, growing corals are what elevate a saltwater aquarium to the next level and really define what a reef tank is all about. The challenge with corals for a first timer is knowing when a tank is ready, identifying corals that don't take a lot of skill to maintain and finding a reliable
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Here is a link for the whole 5 minute series by BRS and it has info that you may find pretty valuable.
The nice Zoas you see are not toxic like the one you are referring to. There is a lot of misconception around palytoxin and which Zoas/palys contain it. This article does a better job explaining it than I ever could so take a look.
The oceans are full of creatures capable of killing us; one of the more surprising marine menaces is a group of popular aquarium corals known variably as “but
reefs.com
Aside from that, there are many other hardy corals you can start with if you choose not going with Zoas. But you also want to think about what ultimately what type of tank you are aiming for. Since many people that start off a new tank and are just getting their feet wet usually aim towards a softy/euphyllia tank- softies, leathers, and mushrooms are generally a good place to start. And then euphyllia once things balance out and you have a rhythm down of maintenance and such.
This link is for a video which goes over some good choices.
Living, growing corals are what elevate a saltwater aquarium to the next level and really define what a reef tank is all about. The challenge with corals for a first timer is knowing when a tank is ready, identifying corals that don't take a lot of skill to maintain and finding a reliable
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Here is a link for the whole 5 minute series by BRS and it has info that you may find pretty valuable.
I have said this before in a few threads but overall unless you stab the things with a fork and lick them you will generally be alright. To me the main concern is if I ever kick the bucket early, will whoever takes over know how to handle them?
As far as a compiled list, I would like to see it too. My main concerns are my puffer jumping out and my dog eating him and stabbing my dragon's eye zoa with a fork... and licking them.
Another way to look at is this...electricity is dangerous, it can and does kill people frequently through no fault of their own - aging equipment, older house with built using older codes, lightning strikes. But everyone has it in their homes. Palythoas can be dangerous, but are not going to cause you problems unless you screw up.
Use proper safety gear when fragging or maintenance on their rocks (face shield, gloves), wash your hands to your elbows afterward, make sure open wounds are covered. To be honest, I do this for any coral. Corals are not something antiseptic, they a living things that frequently have a low toxicity and perhaps other organisms on the plug/rock. Just because it won't kill me doesn't mean I want to inhale it or have whatever mucus discharge comes out getting into open cuts.
Specifically for paly's though...Never, ever, ever boil rock that had paly's on it. Nor do you want to vacuum out the tank and suck up a paly. Do not use a band (coral) power saw to cut up frags with palys.
There's also the family to consider. If you're not available, will they know how to take appropriate precautions (I tell my wife just get on here and ask what to do or call the LFS). Does anyone have lung issues or serious asthma that quite frankly isn't worth the risk?
If that sounds like something you can do, by all means. Some of them are lovely. I have a few and my wife does have asthma, but really, it's a minor risk to me as I understand and follow the precautions. I do stay away from the really bad ones (that's not a guarantee though - not a lot is known species specific).
I'd say hammer corals are a good beginner, that was my first purchase over 14 years ago, I still have the same coral and frags of it in all 3 of my tanks, get the branching type not wall type. The one I bought was the standard green. Like said above knowing what type of tank you want to keep then look around at the types you look to keep. One coral I can't keep, which are supposedly really easy and grow like a weed are pulsing xeina, I love the movement of it.
reefs.com
www.bulkreefsupply.com
