Time to add corals?

[jalewis]

I'm new to saltwater aquariums. I've had my 40 gal AIO system running for 3 months now. My goal is to have a mixed reef system. I've had two clowns for about 2 1/2 months, two emerald green crabs, three nassarius snails and three turbo grazer snails for 2 months, and one dottyback for 6 weeks. I had two camelback shrimp but both died after about 4 weeks. Anyway, I would have started adding corals a couple weeks ago but it's difficult to get anything but staples from my LFS with the current situation. So I'm thinking about ordering corals online. Problem is since I've never had corals before, I don't have anyone I can ask questions.

Is my tank ready? I take water samples every week. All levels are within recommended parameters. Is there something I should be checking on specifically before adding corals? What kind of corals should I get that are compatible with my current inhabitants? I would like to add a couple more shrimp to replace the camelbacks, perhaps some peppermint shrimp? And I would like to add a few more fish at some point, maybe a tang?

Any advise on what I should be looking for when considering adding coral, what other fish would be good additions, where I should look for online corals, and the best process for adding them to the tank, is greatly appreciated. It's times like this that you realize how invaluable expert advise is from your LFS.

Thanks.

 

[Copingwithpods]

This isn't an easy yes or now question.

Let's start with what are your parameters, specifically Salinity, temperature, Nitrate, phosphate, calcium and Alkalinity . Best practice is to have all the test kits for these at home as you will be checking these alot depending on the corals you get. Also the only way to know if these are stable is through constant testing.

Lighting and flow are also important in the kinds of corals you want so posting these will help us get a better idea of your set up.

As for inhabitants the fish are fine, the emeralds and shrimp might not play well with corals. Both have been known to nip at corals or just irritating them by hanging out in them. Unless there is an active need for them I would skip them for now.

Although absolutely possible to keep corals now your tank is quiet young so I would suggest starting with softies and lps and once you have a better handle on calcium and Alkalinity consumption moving up the ladder to harder to keep lps and even sps corals.

On lfs advice, well it can be hit and miss. Asking if a coral is right for you at an lfs is like asking if a new car is right for you at a dealership. More often than not with no background information the answer is "absolutely yes". I hope you get what I'm getting at.

 

[Fish4udog]

Some of the online retailers also tell you water flow and lighting requirements as well if not ask here very knowledgeable people or look up requirements online

 

[jalewis]

I've been testing salinity, temperature, nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity weekly. I only tested calcium initially but I will add it, along with magnesium to my weekly schedule. I use the Red Sea test kits for everything. These are my typical readings:

Salinity 1.025
Temperature 80.3
Nitrate 2.0 with the occasional spike to 5.0
Phosphate 0.03
Alkalinity 7.1
Calcium 450

For lighting I use the Aqamai LRM currently set to the Color Enhancer setting at approximately 50% intensity. I don't have a PAR meter so I can't give you those readings.

For the water flow I have two Hydor Koralia Nano 425 (15 - 30 GPH) pumps set on opposite sides of the tank. They alternate running for one hour each.

I get what you're saying about LFS advise. There have been a few occasions where I've asked "Do I need a better, bigger, more expensive..." and the answer has been no. Could be good salesmanship but they don't seem to want to just sell me something for the sake of selling me something. Time will tell I guess.

Thanks for your help.

 

[dwest]

I know nothing about that light. I would find out if it can support corals. I bet you can find out on this forum. But otherwise, I think you are good to go. Do 10% weekly water changes with rodi saltwater and try some corals. Good luck!

 

[bob salzlein]

I've been testing salinity, temperature, nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity weekly. I only tested calcium initially but I will add it, along with magnesium to my weekly schedule. I use the Red Sea test kits for everything. These are my typical readings:

Salinity 1.025
Temperature 80.3
Nitrate 2.0 with the occasional spike to 5.0
Phosphate 0.03
Alkalinity 7.1
Calcium 450

For lighting I use the Aqamai LRM currently set to the Color Enhancer setting at approximately 50% intensity. I don't have a PAR meter so I can't give you those readings.

For the water flow I have two Hydor Koralia Nano 425 (15 - 30 GPH) pumps set on opposite sides of the tank. They alternate running for one hour each.

I get what you're saying about LFS advise. There have been a few occasions where I've asked "Do I need a better, bigger, more expensive..." and the answer has been no. Could be good salesmanship but they don't seem to want to just sell me something for the sake of selling me something. Time will tell I guess.

Thanks for your help.

It is a very good light and can grow anything you put under it. See the growth in link below, in just a short time.

 

[Spkarim]

Try some easy soft corals, like ricordia or muchrooms. LPS like Favia, favites, acans can also be OK early in my experience.

Don't be like me and try Acropora before 6-8 months.

My corals survived but didn't really start growing at a noticeable rate until tank matured, took about 6 months and started getting coralline algae.

 

[jalewis]

Thanks everyone for your help.

This might be a separate question but as I look to add corals, more fish and inverts, I'd like to know what's compatible with what. I've seen some charts that list what fish are compatible with what other fish but what about what fish and inverts are compatible with what kinds of corals? I'd hate to start adding some of these corals only to find out they don't play well (or vice-versa) with some fish I want to add. I guess an omni-compatibility chart that covers every type of fish, invertebrate and coral. Anyone have such a list?

Thanks.