OK... ready to start adding corals... what next?

Hey Geeks!

Finally ready to start adding coral to my new reef tank. I would really appreciate some help on what to add first, second and so on. The tank is 155 gallon and so far for my cleaning crew I have three (3) tangs, one (1) angel, three (3) sea urchines, six (6) mexican turbo snails and a hand full of hermit crabs. I have added three (3) mushrooms and one (1) Kenya Tree (he was only $15 so I though I would try it!). Water quality is great and I'm really anxious to get going (slow... I know....)

When do I add Anemone's? Some say first, let them find there homes and then add corals..

If you would please help with what you recommend 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.. I would really appreciate the help. (LPS, LPS, ???)

Also: I want to talk about a Calcium Reactor but I think I'll start another thread.


p.s. I owe you all picures, I'm really happy with how the project has gone and I really do want to share.


Thanks,

Grumpy Bass
(John L)

Hmm, the first thing I would recommend is to get rid of the Kenya tree, but this is just me. They spread like wildfire and aren't that spectacular.

How old is the tank now? What type of Angelfish did you get?

If everything is doing well then you can add a nem now. What type were you thinking of?

LPS, hmm how bout try a Favia and see how it does?

If the tank hasnt been up for 6 months or so i would make sure you pick a hardy anemone. They can be finicky in new tanks.

As for what corals to add in what order i would start with easy corals and see how they do. Dont place slower growing corals anywhere near mushrooms. Mushrooms will grow like mad and overtake just about anything.

How about making a list of corals you like and we will try to tell you a little more about them.

Hey Skinz,
The tank has been up for 5 weeks now. The angle fish is a Coral Beauty. The Kenya Tree was $15, that’s the reason I have it, also thought it was very hardy, easy first coral (so I was told)... not sure what I'd do with it if I took it out...
I don't have anything specific picked out yet as far as anemones. I read up (quickly) on the Favia coral you suggested, they seem tough but also it cautioned against putting them near other corals and mushrooms as the sting and are a little "nasty". Any other thoughts for hardy stuff to start?

Hey Chris&Barb,
The tank is brand new, only 5-6 weeks. I was told to add anemones first and then corals, that's why I ask about adding one or two now. I would like to have a couple, there are a few very cool ones, like a Ultra purple blue tip Malibu that I have been eyeing at Extreme Corals, I want bright or exotic things. All this being said.. if you tell me I should wait and that I can add an anemone later.. I'll follow your recommendations.

Thanks again for your help!
Sincerely,
Grumpy Bass

Hey GB

First you don't want to mix anemones so if you choose a type stick with that type. Like BTAs then all that you get should be BTAs....Mixing anemones are a bad idea in the sense that carpets and BTAs will kill each other(more like carpet will). I wouldn't add an anemone in such a young tank. 5-6 weeks the tank itself isn't finished going through the subtle changes that happen on levels that we don't see. I honestly wouldn't add any anemone till a year or so. You can add corals before anemones I have done it many times. The reason they were saying that is in the hopes the anemone will find a spot and stay, then you can add corals around the tank away from the anemone but BTAs have a tendency to move even if they stayed still for long periods of time. They also seem to split and the split can start to travel....Either way it's a crap shoot. Personally I would wait on getting anemone it will save you cash now and the possibility of a death that can foul your water and set you back in the health of a young tank. 5-6 weeks is nothing in the age of a marine aquarium.....JMHO.

Anemones are hard to care for. In the wild, they could live for decades. In a tank, they live for maybe a year or two. I'd skip 'em unless you're making a tank specifically designed to show off an anemone biotype hosting clowns or something.

Azurel; Thanks for the information.. I know my tank is new and I don't want to mess up. I would really like to get a carpet type but taking into account Jasons comments, I guess I'll have to defer getting one for a while (bummer).

I really don't want to wait a year to add cool corals AND anemones... I hope that I can start adding corals right away.. do you see any problems in adding corals (LPS / SPS, others)?

Thank you,
Grumpy Bass

You can add corals I wouldn't see an issue with that at all.....anemones a tend to be very difficult especially the carpets....BTAs are hardier but not a walk in the park like zoanthids etc...I think most LPS,softies, SPS would be ok as long as you keep an eye on your parameters. Even though that is something you should do anyway but in younger tank it is something to keep a close eye on as well as the condition of the corals.....Start adding away.

anemones are amazing to keep but if I could turn back time id probably stay clear.

They will walk and will trample over corals to find that next spot. It might be fine for a few months,, but once a power head turns off or it decides lets stroll,, your corals that are in the way are going to hurt.

I really like zoanthids, they are easy and extremely colorful. They come in a huge variety of colors and don't sting anything. They are my favorite type of coral to date. Plus frags are easier to sell imo. The duller more prolific corals are hard to find homes for when you need to "prune".

I just like to add that coral beauty has the tendency to nip at LPS when you add them into your tank. If you are planning any exotic LPS (Acan, scoly, Lobo, etc), please be extra careful to monitor it's behaviour (If you are lucky, you might get a good fish). Mostly, if they are hungry, they will start exploring even after a few months with your LPS. Usually when you are not looking. I will suggest a auto feeder for angels to learn their routine feeding and it will be a lot safer IMO.

This is just my concern (not a big concern since your tank is big enough with other food). Enjoy adding corals !!

Thanks guys (good responses). I agree to stay clear of anemones for now for sure (against my desire to have them!).

Spiney, I too like the zoos and will most likely start there, thinking about fragging assumes I will actually have growth, maybe at issue a few years down the road. Jeff, your comments on the Coral Beauty is duely noted, I hope I have a "nice" fish, but I will keep a careful eye on it going forward.

Asurel, I keep a careful eye on the tank conditions, I have overkill built into the system and especially now (while its new) I am all over it. Thanks.


Thanks again guys!

Learn patience. This will be the most important factor in reefkeeping.

I would start with softies to kick your tank off. Mushrooms and zoa's are great corals, but look at leathers and toadstools as well. You can always sell or give them away later, if you decide you don't want them anymore.

I would give yourself a little more time before adding LPS. Make sure that you have good test kits, and learn to get into the habbit of testing your water parametes and get them stable. You'll need to understand calcium, alkalinity and magnesium for LPS, as they do use up calc and alk. Salinity is something to be test for as well. Use a good quality salt, and life will be easier. Here's a link to help out.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Here's an article to help out with dosing, just remember to test, test test. You need to work out YOUR system's needs.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Also,another consideration for LPS/SPS corals is lighting. You'll need the right lighting to grow these corals. Either T5's or Halides are the go. Unless you can use solar of course.

Considering your experience, I would steer well clear of any SPS until you've learnt alot more about all aspects of the hobby. When you know what your doing and have the right gear, then give em a try.

Hows it coming? Have you added anything new?

Interesting reading from everyone.From a books point of view , you would not add the nem first ,which is the right thing to do and wait at least 12 months"which i would recomend .But .from my own personal view, i would add it first. If you can keep your tank at a stable level ".Also your nem will move if "it is not happy " ie water quality,water movement,lighting,food"

To be totally honest everyones opinions will be different on this , do what you want. "remember its your tank" .I did add my nem after 4 weeks in my tank , and i have no problem at all ,but being a magnifica it will go for a walk if it there is no flow after a few hours . But remember every tanks parameters/water flow/ lighting, are different.

I HTH

Cheers

Andrew