To reef or not to reef?

[JumperAlex]

I was at my LFS the other day and talking about my maintenance schedule (20 gallon water change once a week at the same time that I scrub my glass and I empty my skimmer cup twice a week). He told me that with my lighting that I already have (HO T5) and the maintenance that I'm doing that its crazy that I'm not keeping corals. I would love to keep corals but I would have to get rid of my blue spotted puffer who has a ton of personality. As well as my 2 CC starfish. Any advice or opinions on the matter?


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[DSP]

How many t5ho do you have?I like fowlr tanks you can keep some awesome fish.But theres nothing like a reef imo,So i would say def go reef! lol

 

[Liquid360]

I agree... I love puffers but I'll take a reef any day. Obviously this is nothing more than personal preference but there's something about creating an ecosystem where every piece serves a purpose. It becomes less about pets and more about creating this beautiful small world. It's far more reaching and encompassing. It's an ongoing process that you never truly finish.

 

[mike007]

Reefin all the way.

 

[JumperAlex]

It is a 4x 48in HO T5 fixture.


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[JumperAlex]

It is a 4x 48in HO T5 fixture.


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[Smnparish]

Brand of fixture? I'd go reef all day any day

 

[JumperAlex]

The fixture is a Zoo Med aqua sun.


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[Smnparish]

Hmm, probably won't cut it for higher light stuff, but softies and low light lps should be ok

 

[JumperAlex]

If I do decide to go the coral route, what are some good beginner corals you would suggest?


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[glb]

Zoas, star polyps, Florida ricordea. I started with these and have had great success. They're forgiving and come in all sorts of colors.


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP
12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[aslmx]

Do a lot of research and ask questions. IMO be real picky. Fast growers are fun at first but you will regret it later. I have good luck with birdnest, montis, millis and some other sps. I would think twice on star polyps and any kind of cheap mushroom....trust me...ive made the mistakes. But if you really like that stuff and can keep it under control, it grows fast and has some great color.

 

[1.0reef]

Um, tobies are coral safe, not completely invert safe though.
Chocolate Chip Starfish aren't.

 

[glb]

Star polyps do grow fast. I've read though that they can easily be trimmed and fragged. That's what I'm planning to do with mine.


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP
12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[bkweibley]

I think tobies actually fall under the reef safe with caution? Because some may be fine while others may pick. I believe your flame hawk may also fall in the same category? Reef tanks are a ton of fun though! Like others above have said, you probably arnt going to be able to do well with higher light requirement corals with that light, but there are plenty of lower light corals that you would do fine with. Zoas, acans, ricos, mushrooms, and maybe even give a cheaper chalice a try to make sure you do ok with them and if that goes alight you could pick up some awesome looking ones. I noticed you didnt say anything about powerheads, you will definitely need water movement.

 

[JumperAlex]

Between the 3 power heads I have in the tank now I've got about 3,850 gph of water movement not including the return pump from the sump. Enough?


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2