What corals should I look towards getting?

[skrimpwhisperer]

I'm new to the coral game for the most part and I'm still learning all the different kinds. I currently have a frogspawn, a galaxy frag, an alien eye brain frag, a small zoa colony, a small GSP colony, and some palys.

I want to add some color to my tank other than just the green but I also don't want to pay outrageous prices.

I like zoas and I kind of rushed into buying a colony when if I waited I would have had a chance at buying a much bigger and more varied piece for less than what I got.

I know this is hard to do since its my tank but I'm really just trying to learn and see what else is out there besides just what's at my LFS.

Also, Duncan corals (I think) IMO are pretty cool as well.

I also have one BTA in the tank as well if that matters along with a clown, a melanarus wrasse, a lyretail anthia, and two gobies.

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[skrimpwhisperer]

Its a 65 gallon tall tank


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[watchguy123]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

You are already learning all these lessons. You can't rush your choices. You need to be methodical in what you purchase so your tank reflects your style and taste. It is a garden after all. Considerations are 1.) ease of success-viability of the coral 2.) how big does it grow and do you have room and can it become a nuisance in your tank 3.) does it sting its neighbors and how far away can its stingers reach 4.) of course you need to be aware of lighting and flow demands of the coral. 5) Most important of all, make sure your parameters are within an acceptable range and make sure they stay that way After that, the world is your oyster.

This is a great site to peruse for all the different corals out there and learn about them before you purchase them. There are lots of great online vendors and hobbyists on this forum as well as local fish stores to find and purchase your ocean in a glass box.

 

[skrimpwhisperer]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

You are already learning all these lessons. You can't rush your choices. You need to be methodical in what you purchase so your tank reflects your style and taste. It is a garden after all. Considerations are 1.) ease of success-viability of the coral 2.) how big does it grow and do you have room and can it become a nuisance in your tank 3.) does it sting its neighbors and how far away can its stingers reach 4.) of course you need to be aware of lighting and flow demands of the coral. 5) Most important of all, make sure your parameters are within an acceptable range and make sure they stay that way After that, the world is your oyster.

This is a great site to peruse for all the different corals out there and learn about them before you purchase them. There are lots of great online vendors and hobbyists on this forum as well as local fish stores to find and purchase your ocean in a glass box.

The problem is, I don't know how to be methodical. It's something I have been working on and with this aquarium, if there is one thing it has taught me, is patience. It is a little frustrating though when I see the same corals over and over again at my LFS and nothing new or at least different. That's why I come here and you all have welcomed me greatly. I'm also not opposed to SPS corals or hard corals obviously, I'm just waiting on my new lights to get in for those bad boys.

Thanks!

 

[Trentondrummer33]

Duncan's are nice and hardy, mine grows like crazy. Acan lords are also nice and add great color but can be on the pricey side depending on color morph and size. Mushrooms are also very hardy and can add nice color, I prefer ricordias. Torches and hammers are also pretty hardy and look nice if you have the room for em


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[Ryan2112]

Look into your local reef club. You'll get to meet people in your area who love the very thing you love. You'll also get to see in person other people's labor of love buy stuff you like at great prices and trade.

 

[Betroc2]

It's looking great. You are doing just fine with your coral choices. Just keep checking out other tanks to get good color combos. Really like your rockscape too.:wink:

 

[skrimpwhisperer]

Thanks! I put it together with corals in mind somewhat. Truing to find a happy medium between fish habitat and space for corals.

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[shellynjason]

You have great aquascaping there ... that will help alot to keep certain coral (aggressive) isolated if needed. I am new to coral keeping too and bought a variety of mixed types to see which I am better at raising and now after a few months I am thinking more about 'color' - for me I want more blues and purples. So you need to find your preference as well. You have a great foundation with that aquascaping to build upon.

 

[facade480]

ricordea mushrooms are a great choice to add color. They are not hard to keep and they come in a variety of colors and price wise they are not too bad either...

 

[mike007]

Check some the vendors on this site and you will find some exotic corals that you will not see at your lfs. Sometimes they have live sells and you can pick up some awesome stuff at a great price.

 

[Rockadile]

A local reef club will be your best bet.

 

[skrimpwhisperer]

I could check out swfmas. They're the local reefer club. Problem is they are 30 miles from me.

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[Rockadile]

30 miles? That's it? Dude wait till you travel 200 just to visit a lfs in hopes they have something cool.

And don't say you won't because once the bug gets a full grasp, you will, oh how you will.

 

[Rikerbear]

You might also try CraigsList. I know it sounds odd, but I found some great pieces on there....also how I was introduced to the local SW/Reef club.

 

[OurReef]

Once it bites it doesn't like to let go, wait until you start planning family vacations around visiting fish stores in other cities or states. Spokane to Seattle, Seattle to Portland then back to Spokane. About 1000 mile round trip with about six or seven fish stores that we stopped at. You'll get there some day believe it.

 

[skrimpwhisperer]

Oh I don't doubt it. I'm a broke college kid though right now so gas getting there is definitely a factor.

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[Trentondrummer33]

Haha I hear ya man I'm a broke father/husband lol my advice to you 1 broke butt to another, don't worry about those crazy exotic corals. Yes they are amazing and we would love to have them, but right now it's just not in it for us lol what I've done is buy small frags of expensive stuff and let it grow. I've bought a single Duncan head and now have 8, zoa's and green star polyps are relatively cheap and spread quickly as well. Frogspawns grow like crazy and aren't to expensive either ect ect


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[skrimpwhisperer]

Well I have a zoa colony and a single polyp, frogspawn, and a star colony. Just waiting for them to grow. Wish I had a fast forward button! On top of all that my **** hermits and turbo snails keep knocking over my brain frag and my Hollywood stunner/chalice/monti. Frustrating because I know they can't grow when they're getting knocked over every night.

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[Trentondrummer33]

All In time dude, consider there placement when it comes to stuff getting knocked over. Could It be placed somewhere else that it would be happy and not get knocked over? Sand bed?


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