Good beginner softie & LPS corals?

[wesside]

My first reef tank is finally ready for some livestock. The dimensions of my tank are 36 long x 18 wide x 24 tall and my lighting is 4 T5 HO bulbs.

First, is that enough lighting to grow softies and LPS corals? If so, which ones would be good to start with? I attached a picture of my tank (sorry it's an awful iPhone pic) in case that's helpful for what or where I should put things.

Thanks in advance.

 

[reelfishy]

Ricordea, Shrooms, Frogspawns, Zoa/palys. You can probably have some Monti Caps near the top of your tank too.

 

[marfuerte]

Any softie and LPS will do fine. I've grown millies, porcillopora, chalices even green slimers with a 4 bulb t5. Position in the tank and length of photoperiod are factors so you may have to have the lights on a bit longer etc. I've grown just about everything under 39W t 5s.

 

[bvysochin]

What type of t5 bulbs are you running? IMO, ATI are the best, hands down. I grow all types of Sps under a 4 bulb ATI t5 setup in a tank that is 12" tall. Youd be surprised what you can do.. granted your tank is double the depth, you'll have to keep most of your SPS up towards the top. The suggestion above is good.. I'd also add leathers to that list. Along with green star polyps, and xenia.

 

[wesside]

Thanks for all the advice. Any suggestions on good places to buy them? I'm willing to drive a bit too.

 

[o2manyfish]

If you come to Encino I will give you some Xenia, Red monti Cap and I might even have some Frogspawn.

Dave B

 

[jasonbucholtz]

You do have vivid right there. I hear they have a nice store but might be a little expensive.

 

[jasonbucholtz]

If you come up this way I have some mushrooms, GSP, and a paly or two. I just need to get some plugs first. But it is a drive =)

 

[thegrun]

Come by the SCRK meeting this Sunday night 6pm, there are always great deals to be had on corals fellow reefers are selling.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2330846

 

[wesside]

Come by the SCRK meeting this Sunday night 6pm, there are always great deals to be had on corals fellow reefers are selling.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2330846

I would love to but it's my birthday on Saturday and I have family from out of town visiting from Thursday through the weekend. :celeb2:

 

[GinaSofia]

I'm About 10 minutes away from Dave's. I have a nice sized colt I'd like to take off the rock and some brightly colored mushrooms you're welcome to.
Drop me a pm if you plan to come to the San Fernando Valley.

 

[dodgerblew]

Come up to the Antelope valley and for your trouble will give you bright blue mushrooms. These will grow in the dark, in a toilet, I even have a colony in the gutter in front of my house

 

[AIMRob]

I got a kick start with coral that grow like weeds; Xenia and Green star polyps. So far, so good, no noticeable growth but something to look at lol.

 

[o2manyfish]

Wes, It was a pleasure meeting you and your family tonight.

Gina, I was hoping you were going to meet at my house too. Haven't seen you in too long.

Dave B

 

[wesside]

Wes, It was a pleasure meeting you and your family tonight.

Dave B

It was great meeting you and Barbara too. Your tanks are amazing and an inspiration to a newbie. I'll post some not so great attempts at pics of my tank. Thank you again for your generosity!

Wes

 

[GinaSofia]

Gina, I was hoping you were going to meet at my house too. Haven't seen you in too long.

Dave B

Dave:
I have a date with our favorite surgeon on the 3rd...so, after I recoup I'll be bugging you for certain. Hope all is well.
Gina