Best corals for a beginner???? Plz help

[tellico tornado]

I dont know what to get?! I want to get some corals, not too many, like two or three to start with and let them grow for a few months and then add a couple more. But i dont know what kind to get? I want a lot of bright colors. I want stuff that sways with the current. HECK I WANT IT ALL! he he he but i know some are better than others and some are harder to keep alive. And im a rookie here so i just need a few suggestions. I want color and beginner quality Thanks for any advise.
Oh by the way, i have a 55 gal tank, HOB Filter, Powerhead, and a plenum with 4" of LS and i now have about 30-32lbs of LR. Just bought a featherduster yesterday. Currently have 3 damsels, 2 Mexican Turbo Snails, 1 snail that came with LR i have no idea what he is, 2 clams that came on LR, and two baby featherdusters that came on my LR. Thats my setup so far.

 

[ebeckels]

shrooms are a good beginners coral...you can get different colors... I got a rock of shrooms from swf.com and they are real nice...green red and blue all on one rock, about 5 of each, all on the same rock...real easy!

 

[rickt4du]

You should also be able to keep a trumpet/candy cane coral...that will give you a bright green color. Have a great day!

 

[mlm]

Leathers are good beginer corals also.

 

[lettheirberock]

colts are usually reccomended for begginers. ive got one and it grows like a weed.

 

[jacksonpt]

Green star polyps are also good starters. A good, easy way to get some nice color in your tank. I love my GSP... pics on my site if you're interested.

 

[luke]

You did not mention lighting in your tank... what kind of lights are you running???
Luke

 

[tellico tornado]

Well at the moment just regular florescent (speeling?) but i know i know dont say it I am getting some new lights this weekend. Probably some coralife VHO lights for now

 

[luke]

Well... if you get the new lights, then all the corals mentioned will do really well. If not I would stay away from all coral (one flourescent tube is not enough... which you seem to know )
If you get lighting:
-Mushrooms are a great addition
-Soft corals like Sarcophyton
-Star polyps
-Yellow polyps
-Button polyps
-Other leather corals
Just stay away from:
-SPS
-Deep water anything (Tubastrea [suncoral], Dendronepthia [tree coral], non photosynthetic gorgonians) They require little or no light but need food to subtitute
-Most hard corals (until the polyps and such are showing signs of doing well)
-Certain soft corals: Nepthia comes to mind.
-Clams
-Anemones
Oh well you get the idea
HTH
Luke