wanting to start with corals

[gcres84]

Hey, I have been running a FOWLR 30 gallon for about 6 months, Basically I just wanted to see if marine aquarium keeping was for me. I love it now and I am looking to start with corals. I want to keep it small for now. I'm looking into getting green star polyps, pulsing xenia, maybe a gorgonian.

Right now I kind of have the bare minimum of equipment, just wondering if I could get started with this set up

maxi-jet 1200 powerhead
rio-600 powerhead
45lbs live rock
hang on the back power filter that runs carbon only
75 watt VHO fluorescent 50/50 blub
this bulb

I recently purchased the VHO with the idea of moving to corals.
When I can afford it, I plan on adding an AquaC Remora skimmer, and a second VHO bulb, but at this point could I at least start with a coral or two? Thanks.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I have never really looked into VHO at all and dont know much about them, but i know that there was a person by me who had a 55g tank and she was running VHO only and she was keeping a lot of stuff. I know they are hotter than what is desired, but they worked nonetheless.

So especially for just starting off w/green stars and whatnot, i think they should be perfect

And I highly recommend that aqua c remora. I've had the same one for a year now and its been on 3 tanks now (first was a 55 that broke...otherwise would still be up, 2nd was my 40 breeder, but i added a sump and its a HOB skimmer, so i added it to my 29 and its doing great on that.

To me it sounds like you've got a pretty decent setup there as far as equipment goes. I'm not sure how much the powerheads put out, but they should be putting out enough in combination with the HOB filter you have (and good move with running carbon only in that Live rock is all the bio-filtration you need)

 

[drummereef]

Why not try some mushrooms while you are at it. They are a low light coral that's very easy to keep. Just check your nitrates and phosphates first and make sure they are low.

 

[gcres84]

thanks guys. I appreciate it.

I have been doing a pretty good job keeping up with my water changes so my nitrates are usually below 10ppm. Don't have a test kit for phosphates, I'll get on that asap and check my levels. Any particular test kit that's fairly accurate?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I suggest salifert tests for everything. They're expensive, but well worth it if you can afford it. If not, API (aquarium pharmeceuticals) is another decent one for a lot cheaper, but i've found it to be less accurate and harder to read.

 

[hoodrat]

I run VHO'S on my 125 and everything is doin great and been that way for over 3 years. I have everything from acans, leathers, polyps, zoo's, galaxia and a bunch of other stuff. I do run 2 10k's and 2 actinics all 6 footers.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9708805#post9708805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gcres84
thanks guys. I appreciate it.

I have been doing a pretty good job keeping up with my water changes so my nitrates are usually below 10ppm. Don't have a test kit for phosphates, I'll get on that asap and check my levels. Any particular test kit that's fairly accurate?

Use Salifert for everything, imo.

 

[dendro982]

GSP and xenia should be good in the top half of the tank, branching hammer and frogspawn should adapt to this light too - at the top. Mine did.
You may try neon-green candycane, green with brownish hair hairy mushroom (grows big) and white lemnalia at the middle.

API tests, except calcium. No problems, alkalinity kit was compared with Salifert. Seachem Reef Status tests for calcium and magnesium.