When can I add my first coral?

[Luka]

Yea after educating myself on fish disease and what not I went over just to see if they had better fish than other places and one blue powder tang had fungus all over him and angel was dead on the ground and a clown was missing his pectoral fin. Its really sad. I told him his angel was down he just removed it and said that's a bummer. There was an earlier thread on this something like "Anyone else cringe when they see fish in the LFS"

 

[kimba]

I did tons of research before buying my corals (I think that's the fun part) went to LFS and saw a beautiful yellow coral. I asked what it was, guy said yellow polyps. I specifically asked if it was a sun polyp and he said no. So even though I thought he was wrong I bought it, and posted a pic, sure enough it was a sun polyp. It did really well and I loved it, but still, gotta be careful.

 

[BradB]

I am going against every one else here. Beginners should start with easier and hardier corals, but decide what direction you want to go. If you want an Acropora tank, don't start with leather you have to remove later or green star polyps you can't control. Don't start with $150 Acropora frags either. Grab a cheap montipora or birds nest you like. If you want LPS, grab cheap frogspawn, or hammer. Of course, if you want a soft coral tank, don't be afraid to go that way either. But start with something you think is cool and you can keep long term.

 

[Luka]

So you wouldn't say toadstool? How about bubble tip anem I read it isn't that hard to keep.

 

[mbemount]

So you wouldn't say toadstool? How about bubble tip anem I read it isn't that hard to keep.

Toadstools are good beginner corals and are some of my favorite! Mine tripled in size over a 5 month period. One of my first coral going into my 125 when it's ready will be a Tyree neon green one if I can find one! I would wait on the nem as they generally require a more established tank.

 

[Luka]

Okay thanks

 

[njtiger aquariums]

So you wouldn't say toadstool? How about bubble tip anem I read it isn't that hard to keep.

I think what you really can take out of this thread is you need to decide the direction you want to go (softie, LPS, SPS, Mix, etc..) After you figure out what directions you want to go do your research into the care (kinda goes hand in hand with picking your direction)

Now I went mix reef because I couldn't decided which I liked better lol.

 

[Luka]

Okay so after some research I want to do a mixed tank... this way I can start of with some easy softies corals and then move on up to the harder ones like SPS and LPS. I understand that SPS and LPS require really nice lighting...so I don't think an 18 watt light will do it for my 15 gallon am I correct?? And please anymore suggestions are welcomed

 

[njtiger aquariums]

Lighting is key. Each has they own fav lighting. I personally like LEDs. I am running Kessils. Kessils are nice lights but pricy. I heard people doing well with those Chinese Black box lights as well as those hyda lights.

 

[millertyler22]

What are the dementia a of ur tank

 

[Luka]

24x13x13 the lights need to have a timer on it or a wifi controller

 

[millertyler22]

Well u could get a 24w ho t5 fixture 2 bulbs but 18 watt isn't enough light for almost all corals the old school theory for t5 is 3-5 watts per gallon so 45-60 watts

U could order a eBay black box led just make sure it's dimmable
I use 2 on my 55

 

[Luka]

Would 24w LEDs work??

 

[millertyler22]

Check out rapidled.com they have nice diy led kits or u could use par 38 bulb

 

[millertyler22]

In my opinion lights r a very important part of reef keeping don't go too cheap just to respond money again

 

[Andreww65]

Red sea reef pro are great. Easy to titrate. I also like the Hanna checker for Alk/dkh. As far as corals to start with, Xenia and green star polyps are nice and easy.