Tips for starting to care for corals

[AquaMan815]

well the time has come finally to when im ready to upgrade my fish only tank to a coral tank, ill be ordering my new lights and a new pump for current soon


are there any tips anyone can give me for caring with corals?



also im looking into getting a little more LR
if anyone has some theyd like to part ways with
pm me or reply on here

 

[TheGrog]

Plenty of light
Plenty of water flow
near ZERO nitrates
regular water changes
Good pH and alk control
Good Calcium levels

Most importantly....patience!!!!!

 

[DaveG99]

Check out the koralia pumps for flow. I just got a koralia 2 600gph and it is pretty good. Much like the vortech type pump.

 

[gwrench]

ditto with Grog!!
Patience especially!
Be sure to get quality rock as cured as possible as well.
Research your inhabitants.
Most of important....don't be afraid to ask questions.
Regards,
george

 

[AquaMan815]

thanks

im looking into this pump for flow:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15955&N=2004+113040

and as far as lights im going with t-5's with 4 lunars

how do i check calcium levels? thats not a normal test is it?

it doesnt require me to buy a calcium reactor does it?

 

[TheGrog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9945419#post9945419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquaMan815
thanks

im looking into this pump for flow:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15955&N=2004+113040

and as far as lights im going with t-5's with 4 lunars

how do i check calcium levels? thats not a normal test is it?

it doesnt require me to buy a calcium reactor does it?

Never seen that powerhead before so perhaps someone else chan chime in on it. I would recommend several smaller powerheads (maxijets are very good) rather than one or two large ones. Creates more random current that way.

T5's are good lights. Just be sur to get enough to cover your tank. Lunars are more for show (there is debate on this though) but very nice to have.

Calcium levels can be checked with a simple test kit. I personally use Seachem. There are many good ones out there. Just follow the instructions (not as simple as other test kits). Don't forget to test for alkalinity as well!! You want calcium levels around 400 and alkalinity at 8-12 dKH.

Calcium reactors are only necessary if you have a lot of high-demand corals. SPS, LPS, clams, ect. Even then you can get away with supplementing calcium and alkalinity. A reactor is just a very handy way of maintaining the high levels. There are plenty of beautiful reef systems that dont' have them so don't worry about it at this time.

Hope this helps

 

[DaveG99]

I love my Koralia. it works great. One on each side is perfect. They are very similar to the vortech pumps. You will nto be dissapointed.

 

[jsl6v8]

I would definately go with Koralias I love mine, that or a different pump with a hydor flo difuser, they are a god send, I would get a calc, alk, and mag test kit all are very important to sps corals, I personally use salifert they have a very good reputation. I would strongly suggest a berlin system for filtration, and go slowly, be PICKY about your corals and who you get them from, last thing you need is to get a coral with a parasite on it and have it wipe out all your other corals, also be picky about what kind of corals you get the first time around I basically got everything I saw this time around I'm definately getting some choice specimens. I would say no need at all for calc reactors, phos reactors, CO2 injectors, sure they are nice but you can do all that stuff by hand really. I use 2 part ESV calc and alk and ESV mag for dosing, one of these days I want to get a 3set doser pump to do the dosing but thats to expensive for me to justify no doing 10 min of running around my tanks.

 

[nauti1us]

There's no substitute for good reference material. I am a huge fan of Julian Sprung and Charles Delbeek's Reef Aquarium Vol 1.

Vols 2 & 3 are excellent, but Vol 1 is awsome.
Check out http://www.twolittlefishies.com/tlf_books_books.html?lang_id=1

 

[AquaMan815]

all of this is usefully information

thanks everyone

yea im very worried about getting lots of corals. i wouldnt want to kill them :\
where should i look into buying them? only highly reputable lfs?

i think id like a few soft corals, and a few hards, not to much though...because ive realized this hobby is quite expensive

 

[sytanek]

As a beginner, I would come to the ORCA Meeting and check out the frag auction.

 

[jsl6v8]

I get most of my stuff from SITC, as far as I know nobody goes as far as to insure the corals are bug/parasite problem free. I would be careful about the frag auction, if you get stuff there do make sure you have a QT tank.

 

[plyle02]

Research first IMO....What type of reef you going for? I feel there are different approaches to different types of corals you wish to keep. I would try to invision your scaping, the types of corals you wish to keep, and slowly start placing them along the reef in the best spot that meets there flow and lighting demands. I would place them a bit lower in the tank, and bring them up to their resting spot over a couple of weeks. I would make sure of exactly the coral and placement, as some encrust and multiply in their effort to dominate a given area, making it difficult for removal, learned that one the hard way.....LOL... Good luck!!!