Newbie Corals for a Nano Reef?

[jaydubh11]

I have a 20g Nano that has just finished cycling and the CUC has been added. I am a long way off from Corals, I am just trying to get everything figured out.

I want something really hardy (this is my first Reef) and that won't require much special attention (constant propagating, direct feeding, etc.). I would like it to be as colorful as possible. I have been looking at Nano Coral packs and I was wondering if this would be a good buy:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2033

I have the CurrentUSA Orbit lighting fixture (65w 10k/65w actinic).

I would ideally like to have the following occupants:

2 Ocellaris Clowns
1 Cleaner Shrimp
4-5 Trochus Snails
6-10 Cerith Snails (have 6 already)
3-6 Nassarius Snails (have 3 already)

I have 20 pounds of Fiji LR and 30 pounds of Florida Live Sand. I also use an AquaC Remora w/ Maxijet 1200 and a "pre-skimmer." Circulation is provided by 2 powerheads - MJ 600 and MJ 400.

I also have some questions pertaining to the order I should get my livestock. I already have some snails and I will be adding the rest of the CUC next week. Should I add my Cleaner Shrimp soon to provide some detritus?

The other bind comes with the 2 Ocellaris Clowns. I would really like to purchase them from Live Aquaria so I can get 2 tank-bred "babies." I really do not want to pay twice for shipping so is there any chance that I could purchase them at the same time as the Coral pack? If so, when would I be ready?

Since I do not have a refugium I would like to keep some kind of algae in the tank. I was thinking about 2 Shaving Brush Plants to help keep down the Nitrates. Would this be a good idea? Also, am I going to need a sand sifter other than my snails?

Sorry for all the questions, any help you can provide would be appreciated. RC has been a GREAT source for a newbie trying to get his feet wet. Thanks for all the help!

 

[lessthanlights]

My first corals were zoos and shrooms. They survived the countless meltdowns that my 7 gallon nano experinced. I still have zoos from my first nano the was neglected for 6 months when I was out of the country. Now they've rebouned are getting ready for the big move to the new 90. If you want color and hardiness try looking to zoos!

 

[cmsargent]

I agree zoas are nice. Some are bombproof other seem a bit harder. I've had good luck with most varieties. Some of the button polyps and yellow polys can survive anything. Mushrooms are also good.

Shaving brush are nice plants but they grow slowly so there nitrate export abilities are limited. I like Dragon's tounge. I have some in my tank that grows like crazy. It doesn't root so you don't have to worry about it becoming invasive, it grows in a variety of lighting levels, and it adds a nice splash of red color to the tank.

 

[jaydubh11]

Thanks for the input. Right now I have my eye on the following:

Super Colored Zoanthus
Toadstool Mushroom
Kenya Tree Coral
Green Striped Mushroom

Sound ok with my lighting? If I could get all 4 of those in the "Nano Pack" from DFS, I think it would be a good deal. Will it be ok to get my Clowns at the same time?

Thanks again.

 

[ODOG]

You didn't say where you are from, but my suggestion for any new reefer is always save your money and try to find some local reefers that will help you seed your tank...especially true for nano-reefers. Since the corals you are looking for aren't out of the ordinary and normally grow well you should be able to find something. Everything you are saying sounds fine to me. I'm not much of a fish person and have always waited a very long time before adding fish, but adding them at same time shouldn't mess anything up too much.