Reef tank beginner

[ndz98]

I am looking to start putting corals in my tank within the next couple weeks. I have never done this before so do you have any suggestions on what kind of corals I should get? Also how do you take care of your corals? I know I've seen people check all sorts of different levels and I was wondering how necessary that is. I have a 29 gal tank so what could be a good amount of corals to put in before it becomes too much? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Reeferside]

Depending on what coral you plan on getting.

Softies - mushroom, zoas, leathers and the such don't require that much...

LPS are a bit more finicky.

You should do a quick search on : "difference between softies, lps, sps.." To know what ur getting urself in. Also is ur tank cycled?

Ask a lot of questions. Be patient, and do your research. Everything you need to know is out there and available to general public

 

[Tahoe61]

What kind of lighting do you have?

Toadstools/Leather/Sarcophyton, Sinularia/Cabbage, Corallimorph/Mushrooms, Lobophytum/Devils Hand, Caulastrea/Candy Cane, all easier corals.

Corals need consistent water chemistry. The link below provides normal values for saltwater.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Routine water changes assist in maintaining those values. Newer tanks will require weekly testing to establish and maintain ideal water quality.

 

[Reeferside]

ered in soot and smoke. The fire inspector said it thinks it was a short in my power strip. The zoomed kind with the two build in timers. So please check them often. They were telling me all night they are shocked

What kind of lighting do you have?

Toadstools/Leather/Sarcophyton, Sinularia/Cabbage, Corallimorph/Mushrooms, Lobophytum/Devils Hand, Caulastrea/Candy Cane, all easier corals.

Corals need consistent water chemistry. The link below provides normal values for saltwater.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Routine water changes assist in maintaining those values. Newer tanks will require weekly testing to establish and maintain ideal water quality.

SHE'S A PRO. LISTEN TO HER

 

[ndz98]

Depending on what coral you plan on getting.

Softies - mushroom, zoas, leathers and the such don't require that much...

LPS are a bit more finicky.

You should do a quick search on : "difference between softies, lps, sps.." To know what ur getting urself in. Also is ur tank cycled?

Ask a lot of questions. Be patient, and do your research. Everything you need to know is out there and available to general public

I could be wrong, but when your tank cycles doesn't that mean your nitrite and ammonia levels are close to zero after you add fish?

 

[ndz98]

What kind of lighting do you have?

Toadstools/Leather/Sarcophyton, Sinularia/Cabbage, Corallimorph/Mushrooms, Lobophytum/Devils Hand, Caulastrea/Candy Cane, all easier corals.

Corals need consistent water chemistry. The link below provides normal values for saltwater.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Routine water changes assist in maintaining those values. Newer tanks will require weekly testing to establish and maintain ideal water quality.

I have a Skyaqua LED 24in light coming in today that I'm going to put on my tank. I've had my tank running for about 3 months. I've been changing my water about every 2-3 weeks. I was doing about every week at first. I haven't done any testing on the water as of now. I know my local pet store does testing for ammonia and nitrite levels for like 2 bucks if that's what I'm needing to do.

 

[Tahoe61]

Actually you need to test specific gravity (SG) frequently unless you have an automated top off mechanism in place.

For corals it's the big 3, Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium.

You're almost at the point where Ammonia and Nitrates do not need to be tested routinely unless you see an issue, such as algae growth and coral/inverts and fish showing stress.

Routine water changes will get you by if you test occasionally .

If keeping corals is your goal I highly suggest testing your own water and not relying on the local fish store to do so.

Hanna Check is what I like for Alkalinity and Calcium, Salifert or Red Sea test kit for Magnesium and a Refractometer for SG.

Look to vendors such as MarineDepot or Bulk Reef Supply for testing equipment.

 

[ndz98]

Actually you need to test specific gravity (SG) frequently unless you have an automated top off mechanism in place.

For corals it's the big 3, Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium.

You're almost at the point where Ammonia and Nitrates do not need to be tested routinely unless you see an issue, such as algae growth and coral/inverts and fish showing stress.

Routine water changes will get you by if you test occasionally .

If keeping corals is your goal I highly suggest testing your own water and not relying on the local fish store to do so.

Hanna Check is what I like for Alkalinity and Calcium, Salifert or Red Sea test kit for Magnesium and a Refractometer for SG.

Look to vendors such as MarineDepot or Bulk Reef Supply for testing equipment.

Okay I'll look into the testing equipment after school today. Thank you for your help!

 

[Tahoe61]

You're very welcome. .