Hardy soft corals?

[Matthew Brierley]

Hi all,

I’m new to reef keeping and just wanted some suggestions and to be pointed in the right direction.

My tank is on the verge of being cycled and I’m looking at keeping some corals that are hardy and would thrive with just simple weekly water changes. Does anyone have recommendations and what they tolerate I.e high/low flow? High/Low light?

I don’t fancy dosing unless I have too, I want to keep it as simple as possible so I can enjoy the hobby first! I know GSP is a good option but is there any other that would thrive?

I was looking a Duncan’s? Is this a good option to start or not? Also do soft corals need to be monitored with good calcium/alk? I’ve being doing allot of research and unsure on where I stand?

Any suggestions would be very helpful!

 

[tsharpe291]

gsp,mushrooms,kenya tree would all be good options. mushrooms and Kenya tree
are lower light and flow. I think gsp can tolerate higher flow and light. just place gsp
somewhere that it won't spread to every rock in your tank unless you want that.
Kenya tree can drop babies as well.

 

[DenverSaltyFarm]

Leathers, Kenya tree, blue mushrooms, Xenia all do great in a lot of tank conditions. I recently visit a friend’s house with a Hollywood stunner chalice growing in horrible conditions and nearly no light, but that coral will kill any other corals near it with long stinger tentacles so keep that in mind

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My 15 gallon gets no dosing, just weekly water changes...... zoa's mushrooms, leathers, gorgonians, blastomuso, acan, plate coral are in my tank and do well. I rarely even test on this tank.

With that said, I've got 20+ years experience, and I do still put some regular weekly maintenance into this tank, there is no such thing as completely labour-free care-free tank. If you really want the easiest tank possible, then go with a freshwater tank, they are the easiest of all.

 

[Matthew Brierley]

I’m more than happy putting in the maintenance it’s all part of the hobby. I just don’t want any corals to struggle. I think I’ll stick with my weekly water changes and got for easy corals

 

[BryanM]

Toadstools are another hardy coral.

Be mindful with GSP and Xenia, both can take over a tank.

 

[Crabs+Shrimps-69]

Toadstools are another hardy coral.

Be mindful with GSP and Xenia, both can take over a tank.

Same thing with most soft corals though.
I wouldn't worry about soft corals taking over a tank unless there are plans to keep stony corals.

 

[Crabs+Shrimps-69]

Can't think of any hard to care for soft corals apart from the non photosynthetic ones and most anemones.
However I don't recommend clove polyps for a soft coral only tank as unlike most soft corals, they have a calcium carbonate skeleton like stony corals, meaning regular calcium/magnesium/alkalinity tests are required if keeping them.