Need idea's for good starter corals

[tang lover1961]

I would like to start adding corals to my tank. What would be some good corals to start out with? Maybe zoa's or Gonipora I heard they were good starters. I would like some help please. I just got my t5s to day my tank has been set up for 3months. How long should I wait to add corals. I had some problems with nitrate but I have that under control now with my new refugium. everything looks good now. My LFS are no help they told me I could add corals in my first tank right away. What a disaster. A lot of my corals didn't make it. want to make sure all goes well this time.

 

[jstdv8]

as long as you have stable water conditions , proper lighting and good flow you should be able to start adding corals.
research the corals that interest you and even ask questions here once you get your eye on one or two (or 10) and we can tell you if it will likley work with the equipment you have.
most tanks with decent lighting can support softies like zoas, xenia, kenya tree, leathers, mushrooms.

 

[tang lover1961]

I was thinking about a hammer coral and some zoa's . what do you think?

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Tang lover1961
http:///forum/post/3293378
I was thinking about a hammer coral and some zoa's . what do you think?

Get a frag of the hammer so you don't waste allot of money, if it does good fantastic if not you won't be out too much. I think a frog spawn is a little hardier and just as pretty, on the Zoa..

 

[tang lover1961]

Oh and I have a pagoda cup coral and some button in my other tank I would like to put in there also.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Tang lover1961
http:///forum/post/3293383
Oh and I have a pagoda cup coral and some button in my other tank I would like to put in there also.

My Pagaoda died after a month, for a while I couldn't keep any LPS...I got my nitrates down to 20 and then I bought a small frag of hammer coral and a bubble coral so the tank is doing better...now I can't keep any SPS alive. Nitrates are too high at 20 for them.

 

[tang lover1961]

Thanks Flower I thought frog spawn was harder to keep. that's why I thought maybe a hammer was easier from what I had read.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Tang lover1961
http:///forum/post/3293390

Thanks Flower I thought frog spawn was harder to keep. that's why I thought maybe a hammer was easier from what I had read.

That could be true but not in my tank..LOL...You should trust your research more than my personal tank experience, an expert I am not.
I have tried all kinds of corals, as long as they don't need spot feeding I am willing to buy it and give it a try most soft corals are easy, LPS is a little more difficult because they need better water and SPS needs near perfect water.
Stay clear of flower pot coral, I don’t anyone that can keep one of those alive long. I had one for over a year and it closed up and died…I have never been able to keep another one. Those metallic mushrooms (blue, green and striped)are all fantastic and very showy

 

[tang lover1961]

SWF says expert on frog spawn I think I will try a frag of hammer and see how it does and some zoa's . Maybe some mushroom's they sound pretty. Hope I can find the metallic I don't think my LFS has any. Just plain one's.

 

[speg]

I would personally start with softies or polyps before LPS/SPS.
Try a xenia, zoas, mushrooms, possibly a leather and if those are doing awesome then maybe a spawn/hammer/torch. If it's your first coral, you should go slow

 

[tang lover1961]

Okay Speg I'll hold off on the hammer. Just trying to get some ideas what lo look at when i go to the LFS. I need to move my chocolate chip star to my other tank or trade it for the serpent star I have ordered. Not doing anything just yet getting info and taking it slow. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[speg]

Originally Posted by Tang lover1961
http:///forum/post/3293424
Okay Speg I'll hold off on the hammer. Just trying to get some ideas what lo look at when i go to the LFS. I need to move my chocolate chip star to my other tank or trade it for the serpent star I have ordered. Not doing anything just yet getting info and taking it slow. Thanks for everyone's help.
Sent you a private message bra.