Next Step - Hardy Corals

[caad3]

Hi everyone,

I have had my 125g tank up and running for about 9 months, it includes 85lbs of live rock, assorted mushrooms, and a leather corals. Lighting is 2 power compacts giving (2x acintinc 2x12k) 196wats each.

My question is I wanted to start adding some hard corals, for color. I have heard that open brains are hard? Any other recommendations? thanks

Here are my fish:
1-large purple tang
1- hippo tang
1- black cap basslet
1- neon dottyback
2- cleaner shrimp
1- percula true percula

James

 

[reefman]

open brains r very easy to keep, however; your setup has many things lacking in terms of keeping many types of corals, epecially hard corals.
-85 lbs of LR may not be enough depending on what other forms of filtration you may have not mention.
-2x196w pc is not enough for a 125 gal
-how r u maintaining your ca/alk balance
what r your water PAR
-more detail of your setup and pics would enable us to:
"help us to help you"

 

[caad3]

Thank you, let me clarify some items. I runing two power compacts that are producing close to 400watts. As well as 1 48" Coralife T-5 light that has 2x39 bulbs.
I also running a 15 gallon refugium with live stand, mud and some live rock.
Calcium is is 380, manually placed through Kalwaisser
Nitrites 0, Nitrates 0, Salilnity 23

 

[reefman]

what is your ph range? your ca is a bit low. but as long as your alk/ca r acceptable levels n stable (ca 400-450 alk 9-10dkh) it should be fine. just dosing kalk may not be enough for a 125 gal.
ph is influence by your alk. n should range 8.1-8.3
po4 is also something to check with regards to algea.
if you're successful with your soft corals, then i would try a open brain. just make sure you check the above PAR.