Advice on Corals to start with?

[Billan]

I need some advice on some corals to start with in my tank. It is a 44Gal. Pentagon tank setup for 7 months with just fish,live rock, and live sand. I run a CPR Backpack Skimmer 3 Maxi-jet powerheads and I recently added a CustomSeaLife Prism Pendant, that has 2 32w. Actinic 5500K, and 1 250W Iwasaki 6500K MH Bulb. I am looking for some corals that may grow fast to give my tank a "lived" in look in a fairly short amount of time. Also any advice on other supplements that I should start adding after I get corals would be grealty appreciated. Thank you

 

[Mabu]

Well, I think you have adequate lighting to do just about anything.

Probably the fastest-growing stuff you can put in the tank would be Xenia. I also think many species of zoo and fiji polyps grow pretty fast.

 

[Billan]

Thank you for the info, Checked out your page, tank looks like it is coming along good. Do you have any new pics with coral? Do you have any supplements that you add to the tank?

 

[esmithiii]

What kind of fish do you have?

 

[Billan]

All I have for fish right now is a Gold Striped Maroon Clown with a Long tipped Anenome, I also have a reef clean-up crew,
1 cleaner shrimp, and 1 flame shrimp.

 

[Anonymous]

Star polyps usually spread quickly and are very hardy.

 

[canadawest]

Based on my experience and being fairly new to the hobby (9 months) I would recommend the following corals:

Xenia
Mushrooms
Hammer
Torch
Galaxea
Open Brain

Like Mabu said, you have enough lighting for most, if not any corals. I find that LPS corals are quick growers, nice to look at, and relatively easy to keep. Xenia and mushrooms will thrive under good water conditions, spread quickly in your tank, and are virtually indestructable.

Only word of caution is be careful of your LTA wandering and stinging corals.

 

[Billan]

Thank you all for the advice on the corals. The other question that I had was about adding supplements to the tank. Just trying to get an idea of what people use, and what works best from experience. Thanks

 

[2poor2reef]

Calcium, buffer and nothing else. Use regular water changes for trace replacement/dilution. My opinion.

 

[dustint]

Well i have kept a tank for 15+ years freshwater, and just moved to marine(for the second time), so I have about a year under my belt.

I use Kent Marine part A and B as a supplement. I add some every other day and it keeps my good stuff(Calcium etc) at high levels.

As far as first corals, xenia and polyps require very little care. If you are near the tank often as I am, and feel youd be ready to feed the coral on a regular basis, a Sun Coral would be a great choice. It is awesome to look at a very healthy Sun extended and feeding. Read a little about them and take the time to feed and youll be happy.

Good Luck,
Dustin T
Atlanta
GA