Wanting to start some coral in a 38 gallon tank......advice?

[clpotter72]

I am a newb.....here is my stock:
38 gallon tank
water temp 78 degrees
Salinity 1.25
PH 8.0
low ammonia
low nitrates
low nitrites
cannister pump
T5 lighting
approx: 35 lbs of live rock
2 clowns
2 yellow belly damsels
1 fairy wrasse
1 watchman gobey
2 cleaner shrimp
3 emerald crabs
approx: 12 snails (turbo and others)
2 sand shifting stars
1 Kenya Tree
I am looking for beginner corals that I can't mess up. I would like something that my clowns would be likley to host. Plus I would like to add some color to my tank.
Any suggestions??

 

[mr. limpid]

Mushrooms & Ricordea are easy and colorfull. Once you master these you could add a LPS or two. You will also need more trest kits calcium, KH and phospahate. Your PH needs to be raised, 8.2 to 8.3.

 

[zeroc]

What are the numbers of your ammonia, nitrates and nitrites? Also what kind of Fairy Wrasse, most need larger tanks than a 38.
Also what kind of Clowns do you have? Looks like from a pic from an earlier post it looks like a True Perc, they favor the Sabae and Ritteri anemones though both of them I would not consider beginner level. You could try a toadstool leather coral. They're pretty easy to keep and clowns will sometimes host them. I had a pair of clowns that I would have dead asleep inside the toadstool every morning. Obviously results may vary.
And for unsolicited advice, toss the kenya tree, they multiply like jack rabbits and then you'll never be able to get rid of them, which if you're like everyone else you'll want to get rid of them at some point because they're annoying.

 

[clpotter72]

Thanks for all the advice zeroc. To answer your questions:
Ammonia running .25-.50
Nitrite running about .25
Nitrate running about .20
Long fin fairy wrasse

 

[clpotter72]

About the wrasse.....he isn't as bright red as he was in the store....more dull colored. Any particular reason why?

 

[zeroc]

Your ammonia level is a problem. How new is the tank? I'd be more concerned about getting your level down to undetectable for ammonia and nitrite before going forward. Both can be toxic if not zero.
The wrasse might be stressed by its environment. Coloration is effected by their habitat and comfort.