When Can I Add Corals?

[calvertbill]

Originally Posted by teen
youre safe to add them now. id say pick up 1 or 2 pieces at first and let them be for a month. if they do good, then you can go and get a few more.
I came across a thread advocated QTing or at the very least dipping new corals because of the possible introduction of some kind of predatory flatworm. What's up with that?

 

[ninjamini]

Originally Posted by suewolf
When they created the brown algae that's when I go the Blenny. I did 10% water changes 2x a week with RO water. I then backed off to weekly water changes at about 4 weeks. I had a mini cycle when I got the goby (he turned up all of my sand) but that only lasted a week.

If you went to weekly water changes at 4 weeks and you did water changes 2x/ week that implies that you were doing water changes in week 2 or 3. Way too soon.
You are best to set up a tank and let it sit for 4-8 weeks before a water change or fish. You can start with cleaners when the nitrates go down. But by doing water changes you did not allow the bacteria to build. Then when the sand got stirred there was not a sufficient bacteria load to handle it. Well you got the idea. But I would enjoy the tank for another 2 months and let it settle. This is not a overnight hobby.
When you do add something do it 1 at a time. one fish, one coral. The only exception to this is mated pairs.

 

[teen]

Originally Posted by Calvertbill
I came across a thread advocated QTing or at the very least dipping new corals because of the possible introduction of some kind of predatory flatworm. What's up with that?
depends on the coral and where its coming from IMO. pretty much every coral should be dipped in an iodine solution to prevent introducing pests. some pests call for more extreme measures, they cant be rid of by using only iodine. obviously, the best thing to do is quarantine corals so if a pest is present, it doesnt enter your main tank and get a chance to infect your established reef.

 

[swalchemist]

Teen is right, It also helps to know where the coral you are getting came from, aquaculture farmed, home growns, wild etc.
ninjamini
"Just because you can do a thing does not mean you should."
I never said you or anyone else should try it, I only said I can and have several times. What we see as "Rules" in this hobby can be bent if you know what you are doing or have someone who does know walking you through it. I learned by listening to experienced reef keepers and by subsequent experimentation and observations and now cycle and run these systems long term without any harm or ill effects and have taught other members in our club to do the same.
Surewolf: My best advice to you is find a good local reef club in your area, you will learn far more there than you could ever learn by yourself or online.

 

[ninjamini]

Originally Posted by SWAlchemist
What we see as "Rules" in this hobby can be bent ...
There are no rules.

 

[teen]

ok, then guidelines