Good Beginner Corals?

[lalaallieu]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for some good beginner corals to ask about at our lfs on Saturday when we go. Maybe some fish too? I definitely want clowns, but what are some other good beginners?

Lauren

 

[Rover88]

If its an LFS that specializes in saltwater/marine, you may have great luck walking in and asking THEM what they recommend!

But from my understanding (and I'm new to this) almost all soft corals and zoanthid coral are beginner friendly. As are some LPS (large polyp stony coral). SPS (Small polyp stony coral) are more advanced.

 

[mcgyvr]

general "corals for beginners" here..
http://www.liveaquaria.com/category/2856/corals-for-beginners?c=597+2856

A few a beginner might want to avoid..
-Goniopora
-Elegance corals
-Acropora

 

[billdogg]

My suggestion would be to decide what you want when you are no longer a beginner and to chose amongst those. The problem with “beginner” corals is that most tend to become rather invasive.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Don't get mushrooms or xenia. I did that and quickly removed both as they were growing all over the place. Some people say green star polyps are invasive but I have a nice patch growing on an isolated part of substrate and it is doing awesome. It's even started growing up my glass so it will be easy to propagate and won't spread to the main rock structure. I have also always had good luck with duncans and frogspawn as a beginner. Also leather corals are pretty easy so long as you run carbon in your system. I have a devils hand that won't stop growing!

 

[nereefpat]

Do you test for alkalinity and calcium? What is the tank size, and what specific lights do you have?

Easiest stony corals, in my experience, are the branching lps:

branching hammer
Duncan
candycanes
frogspawn

I agree that you should avoid sps, weedy soft corals (clove polyps, xenia, etc), goniopora/alveopora, elegance.

 

[Uncle99]

Any of the softies are fine, zoos, leathers, colourful mushrooms like Florida ricordias or Zumas, lots to chose from. Still need great RODI water and lighting in the correct spectrum or even the hardiest will die. LPS are also quite forgiving, but as stated, SPS are not and do best in SPS only tanks because of the specialized conditions they require to thrive.

 

[protie]

A few a beginner might want to avoid..
-Goniopora
-Elegance corals
-Acropora

Have to agree. Being a beginner I purchased an Elegance while my tank was still too new. What a beautiful coral but it did not last much more then 1 month.

 

[scooter31707]

IMO, I believe some acans and chalices are ok to start off with.