Beginner Coral?

[TopNotch]

Im looking for a cheap easy coral that grows with minimal light.

I have a 24in 20watt 50/50 (6500k/actinic) on a 30 gal long tank. Thats been set up for about 3 years saltwater.

I already have a small maroon clown, 2 firefish, 1 cleaner shrimp, and 5 hermits... and everything is going great. thanks in advance!

 

[reefworm]

I'm assuming the lights to which you refer are PC's. You can keep most soft corals and LPS with that set up. Clams and SPS should really have MH to do well.

To your question, a good beginning "coral" are most any of the mushroom anemone varieties. In fact, you'll want to place them in more shaded areas of your reef. Green star polyps and finger corals are others with which you may wish to start.

If you're just starting out with corals, I think you'd love Eric Borneman's excellent volume, Aquarium Corals. It's a must have and a fine reference with tons of beautiful helpful illustrations and photographs in addition to the in-depth treatment of corals and good husbandry. Well worth the price.

regards,
rw

[ March 31, 2002: Message edited by: reefworm ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

I second that book recommendation. Not too expensive and it gives you good info about all the different corals. Take a look at Capnella. It grows like a weed and reproduces easily.

 

[TopNotch]

Hey thank you very much, ill definitely check out the book.

PS its not PC... its a Coralife bulb. NO

 

[gcvt]

I'll 'third' that book recommendation!

The only other thing I would suggest would be to NOT rush through this book. Actually, if you're anything like me, you'll never finish reading this book...I still refer to mine a couple of times every week. I'd say it's a "must have". That's my $.02

 

[Anonymous]

I second the choice of mushrooms. Encrusting gorgonias as also quite hardy and, IME, reproduce well. However, there's two things that i wish i had been made aware of before my earlier purchases:

1) What's offered up as a "blue mushroom" from your online retailers are actually mostly brown and only blueish if you look at them from a certain angle.

2) Encrusting polyp corals sometimes reproduce too well. If i could do it over again, I'd probably just get the corals started in two or three places on the back wall of my acrylic tank and then take the 'seed' rock back to the LFS for credit.

good luck TopNotch!
po

 

[reefworm]

TopNotch,
OK, if they're NO lights you'd be best with mushrooms and the encrusting gorgonians as mentioned. I wouldn't risk much else. 55watt 2x2 PC's would do fine for a tank that size, and let you keep lots more stuff.

Gcvt is right about not finishing the book - you'll be referring to it continually.

-rw

 

[TopNotch]

I totally understand... about the light issue, I have done much research on them. But current fiscal responsiblities hinder my hood/lighting options.

I plan on getting 2x96 PFO PC's with 10000k/true actinic bulbs.

But for the time being i just want to curb the craving.

I think i may check out the mushrooms, and gorgonians you say?? Im guessing an open brain is out. I should get the book - i just really dont know much about specific light req. for specific corals.

Thanks!

 

[pez]

You must be very careful about the type of gorgonian you get. Many of them are filter feeders and can be difficult to keep a live.

Eric's book won't give you detailed information about the lighting requirements for corals. But it does give you enough information to make a more informed decision. Asking questions here is a good start!

You could always invest in Delbeek and Spring's two volume set "The Reef Aquarium", or Nilsen and Fossa's 3 (4?) volume set, "The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium". They are a must for anyone serious about the hobby (IMHO).


-T

 

[whusband]

my 1st coral was green star polups. they did so well i ended up having to give some away to friends and tooks some back to the store for credit. i would also suggest shrooms. not sure about your lighting setup. i don't know if the output will be enough