A few questions before I start my first reef.

[Stephen Hiatt]

I have a 65 gallon lobster tank that I traded for on craigslist. I thought it was an amazing deal, since I was only trading $100 worth of items. What I didn't know was the work it needed (snipped plug, broken chiller), but I didn't mind fixing it and it costed me very little to do. I'm not new to fish keeping, but I am new to keeping a reef setup. I plan on doing all soft corals with 2 clownfish, 2 cardinal fish, 4 blue green chromis, 1 coral beauty angel, 1 royal gramma, 2 red firefish, 2 purple firefish, 1 cleaner shrimp, and 1 red brittle star.

My first question is, will a brittle star be fine with soft corals and that stock list? I plan on adding mostly mushrooms, zoanthids, a couple anemones, and a toadstool.

The tank came with an ozonizer, and I plan on adding carbon and a reef octopus skimmer for 75 gallons. Will this be enough for me to get away with a 10 gallon per month water change?

Should I invest in a calcium reactor soft corals? Or should I just use chemicals to increase calcium and alkalinity?

Are there any beginner corals I should get? I already plan on toadstool, zoanthids, and a mushroom or two.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Will a brittle star be fine with soft corals and that stock list? I plan on adding mostly mushrooms, zoanthids, a couple anemones, and a toadstool.

A brittle star or a serpent star will be 100% OK. All they do is hang out under rocks all day.

The tank came with an ozonizer, and I plan on adding carbon and a reef octopus skimmer for 75 gallons. Will this be enough for me to get away with a 10 gallon per month water change?

I don't know about the ozonizer. Carbon and skimmer are good. A 10g water change per month is kind of light, especially starting up a new tank. I'd suggest 10 or 15 gallons every 2 weeks for the first 3 to 6 months. As the tank matures you can get away with smaller water changes.

Should I invest in a calcium reactor soft corals? Or should I just use chemicals to increase calcium and alkalinity?

Calcium reactor is not needed. Soft corals don't use much Ca, alk or Mg. Easier and MUCH less expensive to dose manually as needed, and you shouldn't need much.

Are there any beginner corals I should get? I already plan on toadstool, zoanthids, and a mushroom or two.

Those are all good corals to start with. You might look at green star polyps as well.

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[Stephen Hiatt]

I do like the looks of green star polyps, and will likely get some. What about Xenias? I really like how they open and close and sway back and forth.

 

[dweber618]

I have Xenia in my tank and enjoy them - others will tell you to avoid them like the plague as they can grow out of control. Other good softies are frogspawn, hammer, trumpet, duncans

 

[Reefstarter2]

First if you get the bug you aren't going to want invasive corals . IMO to do it right you will want to wait do some research make sure your tank will run in a way you can manage pick your favorites and learn what they need . As for fish .... You said you aren't new to them but I'll say it anyway. Be sure they are all reef safe take your time adding them and begin the most amazing box of life that can be . Once you are hooked you will be glad you took your time

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

Is there a way to trim back Xenia? I know they grow quickly.

 

[eznet2u]

Knife and Fingers. Brutal, but effective. Share the wealth. Ask around, someone will want some.

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

Will it not kill or permanently harm the coral?

 

[Rybren]

In some people's tanks, Xenia are nearly indestructible. In others, they struggle. It is a pretty coral, but it can be difficult to keep under control once it takes off.

While I've never kept Firefish myself, everything I've ever read leads me to believe that 4 won't stay 4 for very long in your tank.

As for dosing, kalk will easily handle you Alk/calcium needs for a long time. You could dose it manually, via a dosing pump, or in your ATO.

 

[OrQidz]

I agree the firefish may kill each other off.

As far a xenia, yep you can lop it off with a pair of scissors, leaving just a nub. It will gladly grow right back! I love my invasive soft corals! I love my GSP and when the xenia gets too big I just chop it down. I think people who have a tank full of SPS are more wary of soft corals that grow all over everything. Just my 2 cents, but I like my corals growing all over the place.

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

Should I just get two firefish? If I do I was thinking just the two reds. Or should I just not get any?

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

How many firefish should I get? 2? 1? none?

 

[Bugboy2020]

I believe two Firefish in a tank that size should be fine. Also, you will want to cover your tank as Firefish have a habit of jumping.