Best "starter" Corals for a Newbie

[sjj80]

I'm finally getting ready to add some corals to my 90g BB. I want mostly sps but also some shrooms, zoos and a blue xenia. What sps would be best for me to start with???

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

monti's......

that blue xenia is very delicate and difficult to keep...

 

[BLKTANG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12264453#post12264453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoReefWanabe
monti's......

that blue xenia is very delicate and difficult to keep...

Thats what i thought too until i bought a piece 2 months ago.All my reefer buddies got blue xenia now.


I second montipora,& green slimer stag.

 

[sjj80]

Are there certain kinds of montipora I should get, or are they all generally hardy. I do plan on buying mostly aquacultured frags.

 

[snorvich]

Capricornis are easy for me. Important to keep your water parameters stable.

 

[gbsteve]

Monti's, slimer, birdnest

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12267298#post12267298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjj80
Are there certain kinds of montipora I should get, or are they all generally hardy. I do plan on buying mostly aquacultured frags.

While most Montiporas are hardy, it still doesn't mean their requirements are easy. The ORA Purple-polyped M. Digitata is perhaps THE most light-demanding, high flow coral I've ever come across. This Digi is VERY VERY finicky with regards to water quality, placement, flow, and lighting. Go figure! If you are just "starting out" I suggest you try to avoid this species.

Also I try to avoid the term "beginner corals" because it kind of gives people the excuse to neglect their water parameters. That being said, IME here are some SPS that are fairly hardy: Green/brown M. Digitata, A. Valida, M. Capricornis, most Seriatopora Hystrix are fairly tolerant.

good luck

 

[tonyespinoza]

i've had mixed luck with monti's... not in terms of growth but in terms of color. i seem to lose green... i've had excellent luck with birds nests tho. ORA green is an easy one to get going fast, same with the pink/purple ones.

 

[sjj80]

Thanks for the responses! I do agree the term "beginner coral" does lead some to beleive that they don't have to monitor their params as much. I was just looking to find out which corals would be most hardy for my first attempt. I monitor my params constantly and I'm very OCD about them. I've moved a lot during the last 2 1/2 years in this hobby so I've had more time to research and less time to hastily throw in livestock and hope for the best. I bought Julian Sprungs coral reference guide today and will be using that book and fellow reefer reccommendations here on RC to decide what to add first. So keep the good info coming!!!