corals

[remihope]

I need advice on corals. At the moment I have 2 clown fish and 1 fire shrimp. I also have 1 coral, at the store they said it was a star polyp but when I look at pictures it definitely looks like a Briareum stechei (pacific encrusting gorgonian). I want to add a second coral to my tank. One that is hardy, easy for beginners, and won't cause any harm to my tank.
How about a Mushroom Leather Coral? What are your thought? Advice?
How about Zoanthids? Thoughts, advice?
Red or blue mushrooms? Thoughts, advice?
thanks.
I have a 20g tank.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by remihope http:///t/396262/corals#post_3530132
I need advice on corals. At the moment I have 2 clown fish and 1 fire shrimp. I also have 1 coral, at the store they said it was a star polyp but when I look at pictures it definitely looks like a Briareum stechei (pacific encrusting gorgonian). I want to add a second coral to my tank. One that is hardy, easy for beginners, and won't cause any harm to my tank.
How about a Mushroom Leather Coral? What are your thought? Advice?
How about Zoanthids? Thoughts, advice?
Red or blue mushrooms? Thoughts, advice?
thanks.
I have a 20g tank.
Hi, Welcome to the site.
Mushroom coral doesn't need the fancy lights. So the red, blue and my personal favorite, the metallic green stripe are all good for the lower section of your tank (away from too much light)However the Zoa likes and needs bright lights. So what the real question is...What type of lighting do you have?
There are lots of low light, and non-photosynthetic corals. A gorgonian needs shade, and really strong water flow to protect it from algae buildup, which will clog it's little feeding flowers and kill it.
Mushroom, gorgonians, Kenya tree, and red chili corals to name just a few, are happy with lower light levels. Nitrates over 10 makes for a very unhappy coral. Water flow is important, the wave is the life of the ocean, and your SW reef tank. Corals depend on the water flow for everything, from eating to removing waste.