Well, thus far our saltwater experience has been quite positive, we've only lost 2 animals, one emerald crab who was murdered by another and a yellow tang that we never should have purchased in the first place as he was already dying. Whatever we do for a first coral will be the very first either one of us has ever had, so it should be an interesting experience. Until we get a little more knowledgeable, I think we'll stick to the LFS for selecting them, except maybe some of the more exotic zoas that I have my eye on, as I don't even know what an encrusting monti is lol.