Wait for corals

White Hair · Oct 31, 2019

As some of you probably know i just set up my tank a little over a week ago, 30 gal with about 30 pounds of live rock from Florida, i’ve read several different views on when to add corals.Is there a definitive reading or readings that i can go by, or just time, thanks.

flsalty · Oct 31, 2019

Since you started with the live rock you can add corals once you get stable parameters. You don't want any wild swings from die-off of organisms that came in on the live rock.

Auquanut · Nov 1, 2019

You're right. There are a LOT of differing views on when to start adding corals. I really don't think there's a definitive anything as far as reefing goes. Just too many variables.

Here's my experience. I started adding corals to my 125 at about the 2 month mark. Zoas, acans, pocilopora, and stylophora. Most everything survived, but I really didn't see any real growth or good coloration until about the 6 month mark. At that point it seems like everything just took off. I'm sure there are reasons why this happened, but I couldn't pinpoint anything. I think ultimately it just took that long for the tank to find it's sweet spot.

That being said, in my opinion your tank is still too young to start adding corals. Though it may not be apparent, your tank is still going through some pretty big changes. I would wait until at least the one month mark and start with very hardy corals. Just my opinion, and like you said, there are a lot of opinions.

ShaggyRS6 · Nov 1, 2019

I added sps and lps about 2 weeks after my cycle completed. Take a look at my build thread. Everything is thriving !

White Hair · Nov 1, 2019

Auquanut said:
You're right. There are a LOT of differing views on when to start adding corals. I really don't think there's a definitive anything as far as reefing goes. Just too many variables.

Here's my experience. I started adding corals to my 125 at about the 2 month mark. Zoas, acans, pocilopora, and stylophora. Most everything survived, but I really didn't see any real growth or good coloration until about the 6 month mark. At that point it seems like everything just took off. I'm sure there are reasons why this happened, but I couldn't pinpoint anything. I think ultimately it just took that long for the tank to find it's sweet spot.

That being said, in my opinion your tank is still too young to start adding corals. Though it may not be apparent, your tank is still going through some pretty big changes. I would wait until at least the one month mark and start with very hardy corals. Just my opinion, and like you said, there are a lot of opinions.

thanks

Rubblereefer · Nov 1, 2019

I added softies about 2 months in. LPS/SPS at 6 months. I didnt lose any of them. I just added a torch to my 2 month old nano setup at work and so far so good. I think as long as your tank is cycled and stable the time really doesnt matter.