How long before adding corals?

[Dakota_reef]

I've only used LR, but even then I've waited 6 months or so for corals. Like I've seen others say, get a couple easy softies that don't mind water that isn't perfect and they will help seed the tank. I've thrown in a xenia colony as they seem to grow like wildfire even in newer tanks.

Even with dry rock, you can add some softies after a few months, but just know that you'll be dealing with the algae phases while trying to enjoy your tank. That parts takes at least a year to stabilize (ish).

 

[Reef.Blue]

Most mushrooms, xenia, kenya tree, zoanthids, leather corals, etc are all pretty hardy and inexpensive. In my first tank I started with a mushroom and some xenia. For this new build I just took a mushroom frag from my old tank and added it to the new build.

Thank you!

 

[reeftankdude]

I've only used LR, but even then I've waited 6 months or so for corals. Like I've seen others say, get a couple easy softies that don't mind water that isn't perfect and they will help seed the tank. I've thrown in a xenia colony as they seem to grow like wildfire even in newer tanks.

Even with dry rock, you can add some softies after a few months, but just know that you'll be dealing with the algae phases while trying to enjoy your tank. That parts takes at least a year to stabilize (ish).

Want do you mean "they will seed the tank"?

 

[14 foot reef]

" Seeding "
Providing the microbiome that a reef needs to stabilize.

Read up on it here.

AquaBiomics

Microbiome testing for aquariums and aquaculture

aquabiomics.com

 

[reeftankdude]

" Seeding "
Providing the microbiome that a reef needs to stabilize.

Read up on it here.

AquaBiomics

Microbiome testing for aquariums and aquaculture

aquabiomics.com

cool

 

[Sesty22]

Hey guys! I was wondering how long it would be before adding corals to my tank. I am new to this hobby and currently am setting up my 40 breeder. I have 2 clownfish in a 10g quarantine tank for about a month now. Do I have to quarantine corals? If yes can I keep them in my quarantine tank until I cycle my 40 breeder? Thanks!

How to Cycle a Reef Aquarium Right Away - With Corals First | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Forever and a day we have been schooled in how to set up and cycle an aquarium. Set it up, wet it, add bacteria, test, add fish, test again, and then eventually add corals. But here at Reef Builders…

reefbuilders.com

These guys add coral day 1 before fish I believe.

They also made a youtube video about it. I think the tank is still going 2 years later.

 

[Reef.Blue]

life or live? their "life" rock is dry rock btw

Thank you I just found that out. Honestly I am kind of stupid for not realizing that.

 

[14 foot reef]

Thank you I just found that out. Honestly I am kind of stupid for not realizing that.

I posted this question on first page but it was never addressed or responded too. This is a HUGE difference on your tanks maturity and readiness.

 

[Neon_Devil]

Hey guys! I was wondering how long it would be before adding corals to my tank. I am new to this hobby and currently am setting up my 40 breeder. I have 2 clownfish in a 10g quarantine tank for about a month now. Do I have to quarantine corals? If yes can I keep them in my quarantine tank until I cycle my 40 breeder? Thanks!

I found once I'm able to grow coraline algae my tank is stable enough to grow coral. I've used this thinking for my last two tanks and it's worked pretty well. Your main goal for succes in growing coral is maintaining reef stability.

 

[Reef.Blue]

I found once I'm able to grow coraline algae my tank is stable enough to grow coral. I've used this thinking for my last two tanks and it's worked pretty well. Your main goal for succes in growing coral is maintaining reef stability.

Thanks!

 

[Reef.Blue]

I posted this question on first page but it was never addressed or responded too. This is a HUGE difference on your tanks maturity and readiness.

I'm sorry I didn't see your response before. I just had to go with the dry rock because real live rock was way too expensive.

 

[14 foot reef]

I'm sorry I didn't see your response before. I just had to go with the dry rock because real live rock was way too expensive.

Thats no problem, just know you are going to have a completely different course now that will be way more challenging in the first year. This is exactly how I set up my 850 gallon system, if I had to do it all over again, I would have invested in a good percentage of "LIVE" rock and skipped a lot of the first years instability and ugly stages. Be prepared for hair algae, diatoms, Dino's and more. You will get through it, its just going to be a tougher path.

 

[Reef.Blue]

Thats no problem, just know you are going to have a completely different course now that will be way more challenging in the first year. This is exactly how I set up my 850 gallon system, if I had to do it all over again, I would have invested in a good percentage of "LIVE" rock and skipped a lot of the first years instability and ugly stages. Be prepared for hair algae, diatoms, Dino's and more. You will get through it, its just going to be a tougher path.

If I put like a few pieces of live rock (like 2-3) would that help?

 

[Theulli]

Depends - I stuck some toadstools and finger leathers in my do it yourself coral quarantine Tupperware weeks not months after cycling it. They are happier than my DT corals! Wouldn’t try that with nema or expensive corals though

 

[Reef.Blue]

Depends - I stuck some toadstools and finger leathers in my do it yourself coral quarantine Tupperware weeks not months after cycling it. They are happier than my DT corals! Wouldn’t try that with nema or expensive corals though

Thanks!

 

[Dakota_reef]

Want do you mean "they will seed the tank"?

There are some suggestions that the corals themselves add some of the bacteria and fauna that did the same thing that using Live Rock did back in the day. Since most rock is "dry" or completely devoid of life, it doesn't hurt to add a few softies that don't mind less stable water. Xenias are my favorite that they seemed to thrive in my first 50g when I was still doing everything horribly wrong, lol

 

[SaltySam09]

When I first started my tank my LFS told me to put a few softie frags in to help speed up the natural process of the tank. I know a lot of people are against this but it turned out fine for me and the corals I added are doing great.

 

[Just John]

Most mushrooms, xenia, kenya tree, zoanthids, leather corals, etc are all pretty hardy and inexpensive. In my first tank I started with a mushroom and some xenia. For this new build I just took a mushroom frag from my old tank and added it to the new build.

My list exactly. When I set up my 13 gal tank I put in some bottled bacteria and a dozen softies within a week. Nothing died or even looked stressed. Just ensure you don't have any algae or Aiptasia on the plugs. For algae, you can dribble hydrogen peroxide on the plug and that way you avoid the coral. Leave it on for a minute. The coral will be fine out of the water if it stays wet. Look on the local Facebook reef club for cheap corals. Have fun!

 

[Dre619]

Hey guys! I was wondering how long it would be before adding corals to my tank. I am new to this hobby and currently am setting up my 40 breeder. I have 2 clownfish in a 10g quarantine tank for about a month now. Do I have to quarantine corals? If yes can I keep them in my quarantine tank until I cycle my 40 breeder? Thanks!

I added corals as soon as my tank was finished cycling. I started with toadstool and xenia corals. Once i saw they were thriving I added a few softies over the course of a couple weeks. Start with hardier corals for sure! I do not QT my corals but some people may advise it.

 

[Reef.Blue]

I added corals as soon as my tank was finished cycling. I started with toadstool and xenia corals. Once i saw they were thriving I added a few softies over the course of a couple weeks. Start with hardier corals for sure! I do not QT my corals but some people may advise it.

Thanks!