Beginner's corals

[liciawms]

OK fellow reefers. I have been in the club for about five months and have noticed that you guys have an abundance of knowledge.

I want to start introducing coral to my tank. What would be some good beginners for me?
I'm still in the research phase. Also can someone help me understand why some corals are to to be put together (possible stinging or killing).

All information will greatly appreciated.

 

[ralph atl]

corals basic needs:

stability in water
99% need light
water flow

Alk, Calcium, Mag

exportation of nutrients, i.e., nitrates & phosphates

however, a small tank with a light bioload and soft corals and a few lps can usually meet all those needs with large weekly water changes (as long as PH & salinity match).

So soft corals, i.e., mushrooms, etc.... really don't need much, IMHO.




let me regurgitate some links, so you can get some basic needs met.

brought to you by Randy! lol

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm</span></a>

[IMG]http://web.archive.org/web/20021127040526/http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm"><span style="color: #22229c">http://web.archive.org/web/200211270...v2002/chem.htm</span></a>

[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php"><span style="color: #22229c">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php</span></a>

[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry</span></a>

[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/2/chemistry"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/2/chemistry</span></a>


I would concentrate on getting a 2 part, like this:

[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-part-calcium-alkalinity-total-package-bulk.html"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-...kage-bulk.html</span></a>

and mag like this:

[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/2-part-magnesium-mix-aquarium-supplement.html"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/2-part...upplement.html</span></a>

all this can be bought locally, too!

just add ALK, Calcium, & mag using a calculator:

[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator</span></a>

(get some test kits for all 3 from Elos or Salifert)



here are some:

[IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=597+2856">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=597+2856</a>

 

[mcphock]

There are some corals that are great for starting out as a beginner. They're hardy and spread easy.

HOWEVER.

As/If you get further into this hobby, you may regret their introduction as they can be hard to get rid of. See also:

Kenya trees
Teal Palys
Green Star Polyps

 

[velocityoflove]

Ive Always Loved Mushrooms And Theyre Pretty Easy!

 

[the curious]

mysterybox;861817 wrote: corals basic needs:

stability in water
99% need light
water flow

+1

My experience...
Mushrooms are super easy and pretty awesome
Kenya Tree will be all over your tank in no time, and it will become a nuisance
Palys are super easy, but the cheaper ones are kinda boring
Green Star Polyps are easy, just give them alot of room to grow or glue then to the back glass (they will spread rapidly)
Zoanthids can sometimes be finicky, but are pretty easy for the most part

If you want a little more of a challenge, but still wanna play it closer to the beginner level, Candy Cane, Hammer, and Frogspawn are fairly easy to keep.

Good luck...coral keeping gets pretty addictive. :thumbs:

 

[ksicard]

toadstools all the way! they are invincible

 

[ripped tide]

McPhock;861820 wrote: There are some corals that are great for starting out as a beginner. They're hardy and spread easy.

HOWEVER.

As/If you get further into this hobby, you may regret their introduction as they can be hard to get rid of. See also:

Kenya trees
Teal Palys
Green Star Polyps

Plus one!!!!!!!!!

Also, beware of blue clove polyps.

 

[ddaddy2420]

Seems like a good time to ask this since 2 part dosing was brought up, I haven't started dosing yet, my tank is approx. 8 months old. The only thing that seems to drop is my alk. I have about 8 or so SPS coral in a 90 gallon. Since my calcium hasn't really moved why would I need to start dosing?

 

[rdnelson]

ddaddy2420;862167 wrote: Seems like a good time to ask this since 2 part dosing was brought up, I haven't started dosing yet, my tank is approx. 8 months old. The only thing that seems to drop is my alk. I have about 8 or so SPS coral in a 90 gallon. Since my calcium hasn't really moved why would I need to start dosing?

Good levels on Cal will do little good if the Alk and Mag are not in line. All three need to be maintained before the corals will thrive.


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