Coral--if you started over, what would you select

[Reefer2]

Please look at my tank details below in my sig and please suggest the corals you'd put in my tank. I would hope to have mostly non agressive corals. I also intend to have a couple clams high in the tank on rock so perhaps you could suggest the best clam as well.

Thanks of taking the time to help me.

Salinity is low right now, but I'll soon have it at 1.025
kH is 12
Calc is 450
Nitrate is 50 and coming down. I believe I'll soon have it below 10
Nitrite is .25 at the moment, but usually 0
pH is 8.3
Temp is 79

 

[Unarce]

If you're talking non-aggressive, as in SPS, then I would suggest corals in the Montipora genus and tan or brown colored specimens staghorns. The Horn Coral in the Hydnophora genus are very hardy SPS.

If you have a large enough crevice that's high up in the rockwork, where a clam had little risk of falling and could grow into, then you can try one of the gold or black & white maximas.

 

[Anonymous]

Agression really isn't that big of a deal. Euphyllia (frogspawn, hammer etc) grows big and can get sweepers; mushrooms can spread quite a bit and sting anything; but other than that there isn't so much to worry about. Oh yeah, xenia can get really out of control too.

I like a mix of hard and softies, but with a majority of sps.

 

[npaden]

I would AVOID mushrooms, zoathids, anthelia, xenia, green star polyps....

 

[Anonymous]

why xenia other than it spreads like a weed? good for nutrient export right, like keeping Macro in a sense..I like SPS and LPS so hopefully you'll have appropriate lighting and Water quality/movement...Thats #1 priority IMO...then start planning your coral selection...Zoanthids will grow fairly rapid depending on your light...

 

[Anonymous]

If you're keeping clams keep in mind that corals with sweeper tentacles will sting the flesh if they come in contact.

 

[Len]

I would AVOID mushrooms, zoathids, anthelia, xenia, green star polyps....

AMEN! Shrooms killed my tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, npadens list is the safest.

I would exempt Ricordea florida from the mushrooms list. I've never seen them get out of hand. And although zoanthids have always behaved for me, I know of tanks they have killed.

This is of course if you are trying to grow sps. You could also make a very nice tank using only corals on npadens list...

 

[Anonymous]

But I've always considered this to be one of the most beautiful tanks I've seen. All kinds of problematic species growing among the sps. I don't know how long it lasted. This is upscales pets, as pictured on reefcorner.com.

 

[Anonymous]

I am restarting and will be doing SPS and a few LPS that I just can not seem to part with. Possibly a few clams will be included eventually.

 

[Reefer2]

Thanks for all the input.

How does this list sound??

SPS
Montipora-encrusting orange
Montipora-encrusted purple
Stylopora

LPS
Tube coral, orange


Dwarf colored feather duster
Hawian feather duster

I have talked to the folks at Dr Foster & Smith at liveaquaria.com

I'm looking for peaceful and some color.

Any thoughts/input,

Thanks for your help

 

[danmhippo]

Personally I liked GSP when I trained it to form my back wall covering. Yeah, try that with SPS!

 

[danmhippo]

Of course, anyone knows me long enough ought to know that I would choose macro algae over any corals anytime.

Obviously I've been out numbered on this board......

 

[Anonymous]

LPS
Tube coral, orange

You mean, Tubastrea? That requires target feeding, not sure if you know.