coral suggestions

[sassyfrassy]

Well, my system has been running for a little over a year - all my fish are fat and happy, coraline spreading nicely (from one small piece LR), no algae problems except some grape callerpa that make it's way into DT from fuge, and water test are consistently within parameters - so I'm ready to add some corals. In my 65g w/6 39w T5s, lights are about 30" from sand. I would like some suggestions on some entry level corals. I have one coral I bought at LFS - don't remember the name, but it's tree-like, rose-brown, and a small piece broke off which has grown like a weed (now has 3 stalks & 3" tall). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Carolyn

 

[preef]

Kudos for waiting for your tank to be well established before adding corals. Before making any acquisitions though you should get some test kits so you can at least measure nitrate, calcium and alkalinity. If those look good then I'd start with a leather like a toadstool. You can also get a nice open brain or frogspawn LPS. Green star polyps are easy but they will overrun your tank.

 

[sassyfrassy]

bump - I would really like some more suggestions - some varieties - before I purchase and perhaps make unwise selections. Obviously I want corals that can THRIVE in my environment - not just survive. I need experienced advice! Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Palting]

Here are links with some excellent suggestions on easy/first coral, with descriptions and tips on care:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/coralcare/ig/15-Easy-Corals/
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=597+2856

 

[strike2867]

bump - I would really like some more suggestions - some varieties - before I purchase and perhaps make unwise selections. Obviously I want corals that can THRIVE in my environment - not just survive. I need experienced advice! Thanks for any suggestions.

Most corals can thrive based on what you said. But there are many other elements that make corals do well. Knowing what kind of fish you have is important, so we don't suggest some Tube Worms which last a day with a Butterfly. Also Nitrates and Ph and Alkalinity, to see if you're ready for SPS or just Soft Corals. You could always try throwing different frags in there, but what I've mentioned might be a good start.

 

[Gdevine]

Stay away from invasive corals like Xenia, Green Star Polyps and Mushrooms...they can/will take over your tank. I love Zoa's, branching torches, Favia, Open Brain, Rics as they are easy to keep and full of amazing color combinations.

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Ditto on the invasives. I have all three kinds mentioned. I used to love shrooms and GSP but now that I want to do SPS, it's hard to find a place on a rock that's not occupied, especially by mushrooms. Believe it or not, the xenia is not too bad (yet). I love zoas too, but even that is starting to overrun. I can't stop being drawn to all the beautiful zoa colors though.

To answer you're question, I would recommend Candy Cane (LPS) and zoas. The zoas generally won't pop off a rock and show up somewhere else like shrooms, so as long as you keep an eye on them they shouldn't be obnoxious and they really are pretty...