heathlindner25
New member
That's just mean.
In 6 months, when they take over his tank, OP will hate you.
He asked for some.
Seeking Cheap Coral
- Thread starter theimpossibles1
- Start date
He asked for some.
theimpossibles1
New member
I really like the look of GSP and since I only have 16watts LED in my 10g I assume it wont grow completely out of control. Right? I am really newbish to reef tanks. Does anyone have any suggestions for corals that would do well in that kind of light? I really want the corals to have motion.
BigDave
Premium Member
GSP will take over. it might just take longer to do it.
I have some in my tank and really like the look of it too, but I keep mine trimmed like you would trimming bushes in your yard... every few months I have to get in there and pull some off the edges and cut the runners off.
I have some in my tank and really like the look of it too, but I keep mine trimmed like you would trimming bushes in your yard... every few months I have to get in there and pull some off the edges and cut the runners off.
theimpossibles1
New member
That sounds manageable. BTW BigDave last night I read through your entire 150 build thread. Extremely impressivr the amount of work you put in and it looks great.
BigDave
Premium Member
I used to live in Galveston so I know the Houston area a bit. Fish Gallery always seemed to have the best stuff but it is a bit pricey. There are quite a few other aquarium shops around the area too. I would take a weekend and drive around to quite a few. Aquarium world had a large selection of fish, but I can't remember if they have corals. Aquarium warehouse also had a pretty decent selection. It has been a while since I have been to any of these places so things could be different now.
ReefsandGeeks
New member
There was a new one right off of 610 on the west side when I lived in Houston that was great for cheap frags and nice colonies, nice prices for everything. Oceanlife aquariums. I highly recommend taking the drive. it's not a large place, but they are coral focused with helpful staff and the cheap prices for good coral is always welcome. That's where I went to my first frag swap before they even opened the store about 2 or 3 years ago, and has been my favorite store for coral since. Well, at least until I moved to Pittsburgh.
theimpossibles1
New member
I recently visited OceanLife. It's a great shop, but they want $30 for the smallest GSP frag and $40 for frogspawn. Considering gsp grows out of control this seems pricey to me (maybe im being naive). The tank seems to have finished cycling so I plan to drive around the west Houston area where it seems like all the good shops are. Plan is a firefish (maybe purple) and either a gsp or frogspawn. Should I get CUC first? Theres no algae that I see although I did notice lots of pods on the glass today. If so what do yall recommend for 10g CUC?
ReefsandGeeks
New member
Personally, I'd wait at least a month, maybe more after your cycle and adding fish before adding coral. you want to have confidence that your tank is stable enough for them before adding coral. Fish are more hardy and can tolerate more nitrates than the coral can. And once you add your fish, your bioload will go up, and if your tank doesn't have the capacity to handle it, you can have nutrient spikes which can harm your coral. In addition to this, a newly setup tank will go through algea blooms and these can make coral care more difficult. The algea can smother the coral and cause deadspots on them. Some coral are more resistant to this than others.
I'm surprised their prices were that high. It's been a while since I've been there, but I'd have expected something to be available for $5-25. the MARSH forum is another great place to seek out cheap coral in Houston. I've gone to a member's house to get some mini starfish, and after talking to him ended up getting 8 frags off of his coral for under $50. There's lots of people who will help a fellow reefer out, but you'll always pay more at a store. hobbyists are usually just trying to help cover their costs, while a business has to pay for upkeep, rent, labor...etc. So they are in it to make a profit.
As far as CUC, for a 10g, you don't need much. I'd say just a couple of cerith snails and nassarius if you have a sandbed. you can try adding a single turbo if you start getting more algea growth, but if you don't have much they will starve. Best bang for your buck as far as cleaning algea goes. If you find you need more you can always add some. Most places will try to sell you on getting a couple dozen snails for that tank, and that's just grossly overkill, and much of your CUC will end up dying.
Remember, nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Take your time with tank changes or additions of any kind.
I'm surprised their prices were that high. It's been a while since I've been there, but I'd have expected something to be available for $5-25. the MARSH forum is another great place to seek out cheap coral in Houston. I've gone to a member's house to get some mini starfish, and after talking to him ended up getting 8 frags off of his coral for under $50. There's lots of people who will help a fellow reefer out, but you'll always pay more at a store. hobbyists are usually just trying to help cover their costs, while a business has to pay for upkeep, rent, labor...etc. So they are in it to make a profit.
As far as CUC, for a 10g, you don't need much. I'd say just a couple of cerith snails and nassarius if you have a sandbed. you can try adding a single turbo if you start getting more algea growth, but if you don't have much they will starve. Best bang for your buck as far as cleaning algea goes. If you find you need more you can always add some. Most places will try to sell you on getting a couple dozen snails for that tank, and that's just grossly overkill, and much of your CUC will end up dying.
Remember, nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Take your time with tank changes or additions of any kind.
crawlerman
Member
A guy on the MARSH (marine aquarium and reef society of Houston) site is selling GSP for $5. When I first started reefing the local club was awesome in Columbia. If people know you are starting out they will sell you cheap frags or even give them away. I got free mushrooms, xenia and pink palys (later regretted all of them, they grow like weeds) I have GSP now but it is isolated on its own rock and I trim it if it starts to creep outward.
theimpossibles1
New member
Thanks for the replies. I just joined MARSH and PMed the guy about gsp. I am all about patience and taking it slow but I figure at $5 it's worth a try just so I have a coral to watch while the tank acclimates to the firefish. I plan on waiting 2-3 months before I add any other stock besides the one firefish, minimal CUC and one small coral.
Local reef club is a great idea. You'll meet other reefers and somebody always has some softies to share eventually. Mushrooms are another good bet for you. Kenya tree type corals are easy also. You just learn to do some pruning as the various softies grow (and then you'll have some frags for the next new guy, so it all works out!). Enjoy your new tank and have fun.
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