Planning ahead with corals for my 20 gal long

Opalmoon · Apr 30, 2020

I have a 20 gallon long saltwater, fish only tank that I'd eventually like to put corals in. At the moment I have 2 clowns and 1 tiny blue leg hermit crab (I have more CUC on the way, 4 more blue leg, 2 dwarf cerith, 2 nasarrius and 2 nerite snails.) I also plan on getting a neon goby or tiger goby as well. (That got put on hold with the quarantine). Anyway, onto the coral! I was thinking about getting a Duncan coral eventually to host my clowns or a Torch coral or frogspawn coral.

At the moment I have a Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light with a Current USA eFlux Accessory Wave Pump 660 gph on the way, so lighting and flow shouldn't be too big of an issue.

I know that Duncan corals are good for beginner aquarists, which is why more than anything I'd like to start with something like that and eventually work my way up to the more expensive torch corals. I also like toadstool leather corals as well, though I am on the fence as to what I should start out with. Or if there might be an even better suggestion for a beginner coral.

Surf985 · Apr 30, 2020

I dont think you could really go too wrong with any of those options, though I'd definitely suggest starting with a less expensive euphilia first before getting a torch.

Care wise, Duncans are pretty easy, usually. And they look good. My advice, though, is dont bank on the clowns hosting anything. Buy it because you like how it looks or want movement or whatever. Some may take to it, but others, like mine, are oblivious.

My only other note really would be that softies are fun because they usually live (and grow) for beginners as you learn your system. I had hit and miss luck with frogspawn/hammers/etc. at first. Maybe try a small frag of both!

Opalmoon · Apr 30, 2020

I also enjoy the look of Duncan coral as well. I'm a fan of movement and figured if they do host, it would be best to get them something they'll like. I've debated getting an anemone as well, but not sure about it yet. I don't want to risk ending up killing an anemone and crashing my tank.

Surf985 · Apr 30, 2020

I'd say get good at more difficult coral before taking on a nem. Itll help you understand lighting, placement, care, etc. I tried one even with experience and wouldnt do it again for awhile. Plus even with an aggressive coral, it wont walk around on you, which the nems can and will do. If you do get a nem, definitely let the tank establish at least a year. Theyll need consistent parameters that are tougher to maintain in a smaller tank.

PicassoClown04 · Apr 30, 2020

Hi! New reefer here, got my first saltwater tank in February and honestly haven’t experienced many difficulties keeping anything at all! I have a pair of 1” clowns, a clean up crew, a fire shrimp, and a sexy shrimp in a fully stocked 20 gallon peninsula tank. RBTA, Duncan, torches, hammers, chalice, flower leather, zoas, goniopora, acros, anacros, a scoly, yumas, mushrooms, ricordias, blastomussa, anything you can think of I probably have it. Just good maintenance, TONS of research, trial and error, good equipment, and lots of love and observation. I highly recommend reading The Reef Aquarium by Julian Sprung and Charles Delbeck, it’s a little old but the needs of our tanks haven’t really changed just the methods we use to achieve them. Good luck with your corals and make sure to give them plenty of calcium!

Opalmoon · Apr 30, 2020

Surf985 said:
I'd say get good at more difficult coral before taking on a nem. Itll help you understand lighting, placement, care, etc. I tried one even with experience and wouldnt do it again for awhile. Plus even with an aggressive coral, it wont walk around on you, which the nems can and will do. If you do get a nem, definitely let the tank establish at least a year. Theyll need consistent parameters that are tougher to maintain in a smaller tank.

Yeah, my tank is still young, still so I definitely want to wait and take it slow, especially since I am new to the hobby in general. My tank is at the tail end of its big cycle, but once it has been the same a little longer I will be looking at getting corals and more fish both. What do you suggest as being the next step up as far as corals go? Since my tank is only 20 gallons, I want to make sure I plan ahead accordingly and not overstock my tank.

Opalmoon · Apr 30, 2020

footgal said:
Hi! New reefer here, got my first saltwater tank in February and honestly haven’t experienced many difficulties keeping anything at all! I have a pair of 1” clowns, a clean up crew, a fire shrimp, and a sexy shrimp in a fully stocked 20 gallon peninsula tank. RBTA, Duncan, torches, hammers, chalice, flower leather, zoas, goniopora, acros, anacros, a scoly, yumas, mushrooms, ricordias, blastomussa, anything you can think of I probably have it. Just good maintenance, TONS of research, trial and error, good equipment, and lots of love and observation. I highly recommend reading The Reef Aquarium by Julian Sprung and Charles Delbeck, it’s a little old but the needs of our tanks haven’t really changed just the methods we use to achieve them. Good luck with your corals and make sure to give them plenty of calcium!

Your tank looks amazing! Its like a dream tank for me.

I want to get some sexy shrimp, but they're hard to come by at the moment. I'm pretty spot on with maintenance and what not because I want to make sure my tank succeed, but I hope one day I'll have a tank that looks something like that when I feel a little more experienced in fish and coral keeping.

PicassoClown04 · May 1, 2020

Opalmoon said:
Your tank looks amazing! Its like a dream tank for me.

I want to get some sexy shrimp, but they're hard to come by at the moment. I'm pretty spot on with maintenance and what not because I want to make sure my tank succeed, but I hope one day I'll have a tank that looks something like that when I feel a little more experienced in fish and coral keeping.

I have a sexy! He lives in/around my RBTA and he’s just a joy to have! In the pic he’s hanging out on the stem of the nem kind of underneath it. Try asking your LFS about availability I know that the stores in my area are having trouble with livestock shipments due to the virus but it never hurts to ask! Got mine for $15 at my LFS, not sure if that’s a good price or not but he was so cool I just had to have him! Nothing cooler in my opinion than a group of like 5 sexy shrimp hanging out on a nem/ zoa garden.

Opalmoon · May 1, 2020

My problem currently is being able to get out to the LFS that might have them when they are open and I am not working. Its a hassle, but it enforces patience on my end so I don't end up overloading my tank or my abilities. I'm figuring my tank will be stable enough by my next paycheck to go out and get a few frags of coral, those at least seem to be in stock!