What can I keep?

[blennybabe]

Ive had my lights for about a month now ans everyone is used to them. Im iching to add some coral. I have two 175 MH with 12000k bulbs (going to switch to 10,000k ushios cause I heard they are the best.) I also have two 40w NO.
Water parameters:
Amonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
Ph: 8.2
no phosphate
All I have in the tank now are some star polyps and some mushrooms. they are doing very well and multiplying like crazy. I rely on water changes to replace trace elements.
I dont have a protein skimmer yet. (anyone want to recomend an inexpensive one?) but I plan on getting one as soon as I decide on one. (also depends on when I get my next paycheck...)
I have asked this question before, and I havent gotten very good responses. I know that all of you have some coral that you recommend, please share with me!
Thanks

 

[hondo]

to recomend a skimmer we need to know what size tank you have and some bioload info would also help. also are you looking for a Hang on the back ro a sump skimmer. For corals it looks like you could ad pretty much anything but it's always best to start with things that are easy to care for and work your way up. I would go with some LPS, either a bubble coral or a hammer as they are colorful and easy to care for. Open brains are also a nice choice. If you want to stay with soft corals add a leather (toadstool, sarco, or finger). Really you have lot's to choose from.

 

[crablegs]

Yep, you should be able to keep anything you want with that lighting. If you buy from a LFS ask what lighting they have the coral under. Even though it may be a coral that usually requires high light and medium to high placement, if it was under considerably lower light than yours you may need to start it out lower in the tank and move it up slowly to aclimate.

 

[iechy]

It sounds like you are ready to go. I would use actinics in the NO as they'll make the colors look better.

 

[blennybabe]

Sorry, I used to have all that info in my signature. The tank is a standard 75 gallon. I have a light bio load and it will stay that way until I get a tang, but that will be the last fish I add and even then it shouldnt be too much of a bio load. Thanks for your help.