Corals for begginer?

[tallguy88]

So I have been in the hobby for about 4 months now. I started with the idea of keeping a FOWLR tank but now think I want to try a stab at coral keeping.

Tank Specs
90G with a 20G sump
Coralife 48" T5 High Output Duel Lamp

Think I can run this light from what I read corals need all this fancy lighting which is not in my budget at this time.

If you think I can manage to keep some easy to care for corals what kinds do you think are good for a beginner?

Thank You!

 

[tallguy88]

Pic of my tank.

 

[maddmaxx]

probably some zoas, maybe a leather higher up. some shrooms. just the very very basic stuff. 2 bulbs over that tank really isnt giving off much light...

 

[Dave & Monica]

Mushrooms are your best starter corals in my opinion.

 

[Sn8kbyt]

my 1st coral was a red mushroom and zoa's that was free with my CUC. Mushroom was less than 1/2" when I got it and has now split into 3 and the original one is 4" across. The Zoa's started as 5 heads and are now 50+ after being fragged several times.

 

[Bakes2]

Yeah all of the above would be good to start with

 

[thegrun]

Here is a good website listing easy to care for corals:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/coralcare/ig/15-Easy-Corals/
This one lists many of the common corals found in the trade with their lighting and water flow requirements:
https://sites.google.com/a/asira.org/www2/caresheets

 

[tallguy88]

Ok thank you! I was looking at some basic led light bars for about 200 bucks think if I did something like that it would be better lighting for or not really a difference? So I'd be running my t5 and the 48" led light bar?

 

[jabbott34]

You could grow the corals mentioned above without a light upgrade.

 

[tallguy88]

So I have been looking up some of the recommended beginner corals and want to go this weekend to my LFS and try to pick one up below is a list of possible candidates:

Lavender Mushroom
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=597+2856+872&pcatid=872

Green Fluorescent Mushroom
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=597+598+661&pcatid=661

Dragon Eye
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=597+599+3089&pcatid=3089

Also I was reading up one some other sites and read that Pulsing Xenia are a good beginner coral? Is this true think my Clownfish would enjoy having something like this in the tank.
http://www.saltyunderground.com/product_info.php?products_id=283&CDpath=8

 

[Felix T Cat]

Where are you located ?. If you can find a local reefer I'm sure you could get a few frags of soft corals for minimal investment. Hell if you're anywhere near SE PA I can cut you a few mushrooms.

 

[zoafarm]

IMHO. You might be able to keep some of the above corals alive. However, you really need more light. Two t5 bulbs are just not enough over a 90 gallon tank. I know it's not what you want to hear, but you would be better off sticking to fish until you can afford to buy some better lights. Once you start into coral, it can get very addictive and you will be tempted to get some pretty coral...and it will be disappointing.

If you're patient, people shut down tanks all the time. You might be able to find some decent lights for a reasonable price.

 

[ThisGuy12]

Zoas, frogspawn, torch. And I agree with the others, you'll need a stronger light.

 

[tallguy88]

Ok well think I'll hold off till I can get a new light. Any recomendations on lighting I can use with my T5 or as a replacement?

 

[Mina1227]

Look into the kessel a150

 

[tallguy88]

Look into the kessel a150

I have a hood over my tank would it fit under it and I would imagine I would need more then one if I went with the kessel light.

 

[thenewguy997]

id look on your local ads and craigslist etc. you can find great lights for cheap

 

[tallguy88]

Look into the kessel a150

I have a hood over my tank would it fit under it and I would imagine I would need more then one if I went with the kessel light.

 

[Spork3245]

I would avoid discosomas mushrooms and xenia. They *will* spread and are very difficult to get rid of. They are super easy because they are practically weeds
I'd look into Zoanthids/Palythoas or Duncan corals

 

[zoafarm]

My recommendation would be DIY LEDs or add at least 4 more T5s. DIY LEDs may be a little more up front, but cheaper to run and no bulb replacements. T5s can be found at a lower price, but need to change bulbs more regularly (more $ in the long haul).

Before you do anything, I would recommend more rearch. There is much debate over LEDs. They work great for me, but not everyone feels the same.