Stocking corals too quickly?

Salty_Box_Reef · Oct 2, 2013

Im waiting for my tank to cycle, and have been talking to fellow reefers in regards to selling me frags etc, and have been pleasantly surprised at the offerings of some really beautiful corals for cheap and even free. I have read mentions of "overstocking" and such, but its usually in reference to livestock. So Im wondering, can you stock corals too quickly? I know you can overstock to the point where they sap all the nutriants, but I dont think that would be an issue for me. Im just wondering if theres a ryme or reason to adding corals slowly, or can I add 6-8 frags to a 14g cube at a time without issue?

Zero Nitrates · Oct 2, 2013

Make sure they have space to grow. I try to give mine about 4 inches.

glb · Oct 2, 2013

Ssteve said:
Im waiting for my tank to cycle, and have been talking to fellow reefers in regards to selling me frags etc, and have been pleasantly surprised at the offerings of some really beautiful corals for cheap and even free. I have read mentions of "overstocking" and such, but its usually in reference to livestock. So Im wondering, can you stock corals too quickly? I know you can overstock to the point where they sap all the nutriants, but I dont think that would be an issue for me. Im just wondering if theres a ryme or reason to adding corals slowly, or can I add 6-8 frags to a 14g cube at a time without issue?

The main concern I'd have is adding corals to a very young tank. Even after the cycle is complete, the tank takes a while to mature. I added fish before corals and waited until my parameters had been stable for a while before I added corals. I don't know about how many to add at once, but be aware that each piece will alter your water chemistry based on what it takes out of the water for nutrients. You'll have to test a lot and tinker with your dosing to keep up. Good luck!

mcarroll · Oct 2, 2013

Half or more of the reason behind going slow has nothing to do with the animals. It's for you to have a chance to observe and learn both from their behavior and your mistakes. Corals and fish have different issues, but both have issues.

-Matt

GHill762 · Oct 2, 2013

I wouldn't be too concerned. coral doesn't add to bioload in any measureable way unless you're feeding it. the only reason I'd suggest going slow is so that you can keep an eye on things and get the hang of it before throwing hundreds of dollars of corals in..

my .02

Zero Nitrates · Oct 2, 2013

Half or more of the reason behind going slow has nothing to do with the animals. It's for you to have a chance to observe and learn both from their behavior and your mistakes. Corals and fish have different issues, but both have issues.

Great advice!

eliramos · Oct 2, 2013

if you get a lot of corals at once youre going to have to watch your trace elements i'e calcium alkalinity strontium etc otherwise the corals will suffer from lack there of. better to go slowly and add maybe a few at a time so you can monitor how much you lose daily and supplement to compensate.

Salty_Box_Reef · Oct 2, 2013

So my initial plan is a small chunk of favia, about three heads of frogspawn, and some zoa's. About 25-30 polyps total over three frags. Should I scale back? I don't mind testing once a day, and will start by dosing Brightwell nano code A&B.

Isoprene · Oct 2, 2013

IME LPS and zoas don't suck up too much trace elements that can not be compensated by weekly or bi weekly water changes. HOWEVER watching alkalinity is extremely important, especially for LPS and Acros (which you dont seem to be getting). What your planning to stock does not seem too much at a time however going 1 at a time is much more beneficial due to the toxins they release during transport and into a new tank etc. This tank is also really small considering the water volume so I would take it slow as you can.Too much too soon can produce poor water quality with their defensive responses letting "ooze" into the water readily, especially some LPS. Nothing in this hobby that is good or intended happens fast. The slower the better in most cases (except the growth of your corals!)

afamousjohnson · Oct 2, 2013

I thought sps and such totally added to the bio load?? I also feel you can shock your tank with a to quick over stock. Not in the way of coming home from a swap with a good 15-20 new frags but say like a situation I had once by adding a tanks worth of livestock corals all at once plus a good 70-100 frags also. To much to much.lol

Salty_Box_Reef · Oct 2, 2013

My ideal situation is to get six to eight decent sized corals with some color and movement in there shortly. From there I would like to grab a frag a week for a little bit(payday frag day) and get a few more things going and then just maintenance. I think for the stuff that I have planned it shouldn't be much of a issue, but I figured I would ask anyways.

glb · Oct 2, 2013

afamousjohnson said:
I thought sps and such totally added to the bio load?? I also feel you can shock your tank with a to quick over stock. Not in the way of coming home from a swap with a good 15-20 new frags but say like a situation I had once by adding a tanks worth of livestock corals all at once plus a good 70-100 frags also. To much to much.lol

I think he said lps and zoas don't affect the bioload. Sps do more so.

Salty_Box_Reef · Oct 2, 2013

And I have none planned for quite some time so no biggie. My question is officially obsolete.

GHill762 · Oct 2, 2013

Coral in general doesn't have much if any effect on bio load unless you're feeding it.. That's why frag tanks can get by with very little live rock or bio filtration..

mike007 · Oct 2, 2013

Before spending alot of money at one time i would go slow and add a few and see how they do. Once everything is stable and doing good then add more. You don't want to lose a bunch of corals because your tank is not completely stable.

peacetypes6 · Oct 3, 2013

your first sentence says it all. you should wait if you dont want to have at least some sort of loss. no offense to people who love kenya trees and sinulara etc etc, but bs corals such as those and mushrooms things of that nature may survive but lps and sps could be a different story. what kind of frags are you talking about adding?

Salty_Box_Reef · Oct 3, 2013

peacetypes6 said:
your first sentence says it all. you should wait if you dont want to have at least some sort of loss. no offense to people who love kenya trees and sinulara etc etc, but bs corals such as those and mushrooms things of that nature may survive but lps and sps could be a different story. what kind of frags are you talking about adding?

So my initial plan is a small chunk of favia, about three heads of frogspawn, possibly a frag of hammer and some zoa's. About 25-30 polyps total over three frags.