Good choice for 1st coral?

[samiam4663]

Hello all,
I am pretty new to reef tanks. Here are my stats:
55g TruVu flat back hex
30g sump
EuroReef Skimmer
1.5"- 2" sand bed
70 lbs live rock
CoraLife 265w PC lighting
Am - 0
Trite- 0
Trate - 5
ph - 8.4
Temp 78.4-80.2
sg - 1.025
water turns over 12.5x per hour
I'm wondering what would be a good coral to start off with? Eventually I would like to have an anenome or two, but we'll have to see with the lighting. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!

 

[soulagent9]

You might want to cool your water just a bit to 77ish. My first coral was a galaxia and it's awsome and looks really cool under actinics.
Good luck.

 

[samiam4663]

I just have inverts in there now... will try and get the temp down. Thanks for the advice. I can't wait!
It is certainly a good thing I work full time

Not only to support my habbit, but to keep me from going

waiting to put something cool in there!

 

[alyssia]

Green star polyps or shrooms

 

[zanoshanox]

Cant go wrong there, GSP grows and spreads like crazy, plus it adds tons of colors to a tank. Zoanthids are really awesome too

 

[drew2005]

I would start with some shrooms or zoos. Easy to care for. Your temp is fine where it is. No need to lower it. IMO 77 is a bit low. 79-80 is perfect.

 

[bubles]

yes 79 - 80 is good no need to be lower you do not want more than two degres change. good luck with your new corals

 

[alyssia]

I keep my reef tank at 81.5

 

[100 guppi]

temperature 78-80 degrees

 

[zman1]

Mushrooms....

 

[teen]

i just started my reef tank also, so far i have green star polyps and zoos. there a good choice for beginners

and yea, theres no need to worry about your temperature, its fine where it is, mine's at 79-80

 

[mrdc]

As you can tell, there is no total agreement on what the temperature should be. I keep mine at 81 and it has done well for me.
Anyway, I think zoas, mushrooms, toadstool, finger leather and xenia are great beginner corals.

 

[misfit]

Originally Posted by mrdc
As you can tell, there is no total agreement on what the temperature should be. I keep mine at 81 and it has done well for me.
Anyway, I think zoas, mushrooms, toadstool, finger leather and xenia are great beginner corals.
dittio wih the temp and the coral list is good too

 

[hardhead]

Mushrooms, pulsing xenia or zooanthids are all strong and easy to grow - - good luck!
Hardhead Cat

 

[samiam4663]

Thanks to all for the good advice. I have a good LFS that I'll be getting my corals from. I'll take all of these suggestions and see what suits my taste best.
I left my temp alone. I have a sixline wrasse in there now with the clean up crew and he seems pretty happy. :hilarious
Thanks again, all. :happyfish