Coral Selection Advice

Lots of people on here can help. If you want help through here, you are going to have to give more info about your filtration and lighting.

 

+1 lots of people will be more then willing to help. But, you will need to give lots more info on your tank. (lighting, filtration, but also what fish you have as well.) Some of it will also come down to personal preference. So, you might also want to decide if you like SPS, LPS, zoas, softies, mushrooms, etc. This will also help you decide how to proceed. For example, if you want to do alot of SPS you will need a good deal of flow. Placing mushrooms in a tank with alot of flow could be a problem. At least it is something you will want to consider.

So, what you got on that 40 gallon breeder that is cycling? /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

PS I love the shape of the 40 breeder. They make great little reef setups.

 

One place you can look is live aquaria. They will give a brief description of the corals you are looking at along with the needs of said corals.

 

You will want to watch your dottyback with shrimp, they are known to eat/harass shrimp.

 

Scape looks pretty good! Sounds like you have a pretty good start! Like mthomp said above, check out live aquaria to try and familiarize yourself with corals. It'll help you kind of figure out what kinds you'd like in your tank. Softies and zoas pretty much take care of themselves. From there, things get a little more difficult to take care of, but with some research, effort, and practice, it's all pretty manageable!

 

It would help to know where ur from to point u in the right direction

 

NIce looking tank there. From my experience is to start with some softies. I got into the LPS and SPS a little to fast and did not do well. There is alot more to do with these corals than a softy. Just my 2 cents. Looking forward to meeting you here in DSM.

 

You know, I'll bet Fence13 isn't the only one who would like this kind of information. It would seem to be a good subject for a meeting. Not everyone knows as much as those of you who have been at this for a while.

 

Not a bad idea. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/wink.gif I am hoping to work on some ideas for des moines meetings for next year. Hopefully, we could do something like this in the spring if there is interest.

 

Here is my 4 cents

Cycled does not mean established. It looks like you have started with new sand & rock, which is good, but there is no way to introduce pods that way. You want surface pods & bacteria, not free swimming pods. I would find another club member who has a clean tank, and no diseases. See if they will give you a cup of sand, and maybe some rubble from a sump or fuge you can throw in your tank for awhile.

After your tank has been going with healthy fish for a couple of months, then add a few coals at a time. In the early stages, you may have to feed your tank/corals with products like marine snow or coral frenzy as your ecosystem will still not be totally established & the corals will need nutrients to thrive.

Are you using RODI water?

Yes----> You will be ok with most sofites, LPS & the easier SPS. LPS the sky is the limit, all should be ok in that tank. SPS you can have some Monti Cap, Poscillipora and other easier ones.

No-----> Maybe some softies or zoas, a few easier LPS maybe. You will have a hard time keeping them going as they will have to fight off the algae that will surface soon.

 

The cup of live sand will help out with the cycle./DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Welcome Chris! I look forward to meeting you /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif Is this your first experience with aquaria?

Just some info /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

There is a fish compatibility chart at Fosters & Smith/Live Aquaria if you are not familiar. Here's some good information about BTA's: http://www.karensroseanemones.net/

I would also like for you to consider that when purchasing fish, they often become stressed and can easily get sick with such things as ich, fin & tail rot/fungus, etc Having a quaranteen/hospital tank, medication, etc is a good idea as you will not want to medicate your display tank as many meds will kill coral.

In case you haven't seen it, you can become a member of GIRS for only $20/yr. There are many good benefits as a member. At the top of the page, there is a "Join GIRS" link where you can find more information. Every year there is a Spring & Fall Fest where Members and Retailers sell fish, corals, supplies and used equipment...often times you will find prices cheaper than fish stores and online....

Happy Reefing!! :=0)