Coral Suggestions (New Tank)

[Sinkers]

Hey guys,

After some suggestions for my first coral to add. I have a 25G Waterbox Peninsula with an AI Prime 16HD.

Planning on a mixed reef.

Cheers.

 

[Tinnerito]

Hey guys,

After some suggestions for my first coral to add. I have a 25G Waterbox Peninsula with an AI Prime 16HD.

Planning on a mixed reef.

Cheers.

For a first coral, duncans, zoanthids, xenias, green star polyps, palys and toadstool leathers are all very easy compared to most other corals.

 

[Sinkers]

For a first coral, duncans, zoanthids, xenias, green star polyps, palys and toadstool leathers are all very easy compared to most other corals.

Thanks for the suggestion, I do like duncans and zoas

 

[Dkmoo]

I'd go with: 1) duncans, 2) any kind of hardy LPS like euphylias (torch, hammer, frogspawn, etc). 3) toadstool leather.

i'd personally stay away from any of the "encroaching/spreading" softies like zoas, xenias, palys if your end goal is a mixed reef that will include other kinds of stony corals (either LPS or SPS). The reason isn't necessarily b/c they are not good "beginner" corals - in fact they are some of the most hardy ones with low requirements and have amazing colors. The issue is that because they are so "beginner friendly", once you get better at coral care, they will grow super fast and quickly cover your entire rock structure.

I went this route when I started my reef journey and ended up regretting getting these softies for this reason - esp a lot of their requirements (dirty water, low light) is not as compatible with a lot of other coral species if you want a lot of variety in your mixed reef. IMHO these corals do better in a dedicated "softie" tank. I ended up tearing down and rebuilding my entire rock structure b/c it was so hard to remove them once they start spreading.

if you still want to have colorful "soft" corals that are easy - you can also look mushrooms like ricordea or discosoma - they tend to spread slower than the softies named above.

 

[Sinkers]

I'd go with: 1) duncans, 2) any kind of hardy LPS like euphylias (torch, hammer, frogspawn, etc). 3) toadstool leather.

i'd personally stay away from any of the "encroaching/spreading" softies like zoas, xenias, palys if your end goal is a mixed reef that will include other kinds of stony corals (either LPS or SPS). The reason isn't necessarily b/c they are not good "beginner" corals - in fact they are some of the most hardy ones with low requirements and have amazing colors. The issue is that because they are so "beginner friendly", once you get better at coral care, they will grow super fast and quickly cover your entire rock structure.

I went this route when I started my reef journey and ended up regretting getting these softies for this reason - esp a lot of their requirements (dirty water, low light) is not as compatible with a lot of other coral species if you want a lot of variety in your mixed reef. IMHO these corals do better in a dedicated "softie" tank. I ended up tearing down and rebuilding my entire rock structure b/c it was so hard to remove them once they start spreading.

if you still want to have colorful "soft" corals that are easy - you can also look mushrooms like ricordea or discosoma - they tend to spread slower than the softies named above.

I was thinking the same thing. Possible adding some zoas to their own island away from the main rock?

 

[DD Corals]

I'd say acans as well not Acanthastrea echinata because they got some long sweeper technicals. Or a Keyna tree, or maybe some sort of Gorgonian.

 

[Dkmoo]

I was thinking the same thing. Possible adding some zoas to their own island away from the main rock?

Yup, that's also an option

 

[rogueshrimp88]

I have the same tank as you, getting close to one year. I started with a Toadstool. Then I got a hammer and Duncan. I have a clove that I've put on it's own island. Recently got a torch, and just yesterday I got what I thought was a micromussa but I think might actually be a favia. I'm considering a purple stylo and monti cap. Very LPS heavy mixed reef :grinning-face-with-sweat:.

 

[Sinkers]

I have the same tank as you, getting close to one year. I started with a Toadstool. Then I got a hammer and Duncan. I have a clove that I've put on it's own island. Recently got a torch, and just yesterday I got what I thought was a micromussa but I think might actually be a favia. I'm considering a purple stylo and monti cap. Very LPS heavy mixed reef :grinning-face-with-sweat:.

Any pictures? :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[rogueshrimp88]

Any pictures? :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

My camera is looking through some fritz UV glasses so the colors are a bit off. The torch is actually purple with white tips and the hammer is more peach.

 

[Sinkers]

My camera is looking through some fritz UV glasses so the colors are a bit off. The torch is actually purple with white tips and the hammer is more peach.

Nice! What light do you have? Has the toadstool always been that tall lol? Looks like it's stretching to get more light or something

 

[SudzFD]

Hey guys,

After some suggestions for my first coral to add. I have a 25G Waterbox Peninsula with an AI Prime 16HD.

Planning on a mixed reef.

Cheers.

I have found Euphyllia to be great choices.

Branching hammers especially.

Toadstools, zoanthids, and mushrooms are also good choices

Acans are great, beautiful hardy LPS and fun to feed!

 

[Sinkers]

I have found Euphyllia to be great choices.

Branching hammers especially.

Toadstools, zoanthids, and mushrooms are also good choices

Acans are great, beautiful hardy LPS and fun to feed!

I have a spot planned out to get acans, I wasn't sure how hardy they were or if they are ok to get as a first coral. If so that's something I'd definitely be interested in.

 

[rogueshrimp88]

Nice! What light do you have? Has the toadstool always been that tall lol? Looks like it's stretching to get more light or something

AI Prime 16HD, just like you. My toadstool was tiny when I got it in February. I probably could increase lighting a bit but I'll wait until I have more light demanding coral like a monti. This is when I first got the toadstool. It had this weird bald spot but after a few sheds it was filled in.

 

[BryanM]

I'd read up on green star polyps. Its a look you need to love, because that stuff grows like weeds.

 

[Science/G]

Stay away from Xenia and star polyp unless you can isolate them.

 

[Sinkers]

Stay away from Xenia and star polyp unless you can isolate them.

Definitely. Even Monti caps, I wouldn't mind one but worried it will get massive and out of control.

 

[Science/G]

Ricordea are easy and colorful. Favia are really tough and not very light demanding. Montipora digitata, Montipora hirsuta, and tubbs stellata are hardy, easy to grow branching SPS.

 

[Tinnerito]

Stay away from Xenia and star polyp unless you can isolate them.

True. I've heard they can coat every surface on your tank.

 

[Sinkers]

Ricordea are easy and colorful. Favia are really tough and not very light demanding. Montipora digitata, Montipora hirsuta, and tubbs stellata are hardy, easy to grow branching SPS.

What's your experience with Anacropora? Much less light demanding or easier than Acros?