If you could pick just ONE coral for a (species) nano tank, what would it be?

[Adiantum]

Alas, my tanks I started in 2021 are no longer in existence. Not everything in my pico was doing well, and then I had to move and start graduate school so all that was torn down. But I am waffling between a new planted freshwater tank or a new nano saltwater. But Keeping it simple. I would want to go for a single species of coral, maybe an attractive macroalgae or two, as I really like a more minimalist look in both a planted or reef tank. Not sure on water volume but probably somewhere between 5 and 10 gallons. I think a species tank that I could keep fairly low maintenance would be great.

I am looking for inspiration, so. If you could pick a single species/type of coral to fill a nano tank, what would it be and why?

I am partial to encrusters, though something that takes up vertical space would be nice. I have some things in mind already (certain softies, duncans, Pocillopora, Seriatopora, Galaxea...). But the hivemind of the forum seems a good place to gain inspiration to decide what I want to create.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I think a Yellow Tail Damsel swimming in a sea (OK— 5 gallons worth of sea) of colorful Mushrooms or Pulsing Xenia would be cool.

 

[shakacuz]

mangrove anemone tank. either rock flowers or bubble tips! seems like a go-to recently. i do also suggest mushrooms(maybe high end?), or even LPS like torches/hammers/favia/acans?

 

[Unitylover]

maybe a firefish with some toadstools or hammers

 

[Sean Clark]

Montipora digitata

 

[SchrutesReefs]

As beautiful as an SPS or encrusting LPS nano would look, I’d be scared or a parameter swing that I’d notice too late and lose them. So for me it would be a softy tank. Shrooms zoas and toadstools. Lots of different color variations with a goby or blenny running the streets

 

[rmorris_14]

I don't have a coral suggestion, which I know is your question. But I think every nano should have a pom pom crab.
Reason:

they just make me smile

 

[Surskit]

I think that zoas are a great choice given how much color variety you can have even in a nano

 

[i cant think]

Assuming you have NO blennies. I’d go for a Staghorn Acropora, they come in beautiful colours and when theyre in the right conditions you will find atleast and inch of growth per week.

I’ve been trying to grow mine but my blenny hates it unfortunately…

 

[Adiantum]

I don't have a coral suggestion, which I know is your question. But I think every nano should have a pom pom crab.
Reason:

they just make me smile

I do agree, pom pom crabs are adorable!

Assuming you have NO blennies. I’d go for a Staghorn Acropora, they come in beautiful colours and when theyre in the right conditions you will find atleast and inch of growth per week.

I’ve been trying to grow mine but my blenny hates it unfortunately…

Growing Acropora scares me a little to be honest.

 

[Sean Clark]

This is where the Montipora digitata comes in.
It is hearty, forgiving, colorfull, entrusting, and branching.
In a nano with fluctuating water parameters it is ideal.

 

[Adiantum]

I think that zoas are a great choice given how much color variety you can have even in a nano

I have thought about collecting all the color variations of Zoanthus gigantus. Or Palythoa grandis. I drool over P. grandis.

 

[bnord]

ZOAS AND GOLDLINED GOBY PAIR

 

[Derrick0580]

I could do an entire tank of zoas…soo many options to choose from!

 

[sfin52]

Rock flower anemone

 

[i cant think]

This is where the Montipora digitata comes in.
It is hearty, forgiving, colorfull, entrusting, and branching.
In a nano with fluctuating water parameters it is ideal.

Wait, am I the only one who cannot keep Monti digi alive in a 4’ tank yet can get encrusting monti, acros and plating monti to grow?

 

[Sean Clark]

Wait, am I the only one who cannot keep Monti digi alive in a 4’ tank yet can get encrusting monti, acros and plating monti to grow?

Probably not the only one. I have killed my fair share over the years.

Always trying to find a way to be special...

 

[i cant think]

Probably not the only one. I have killed my fair share over the years.

Always trying to find a way to be special...

Thank god - I would’ve felt stupid haha. I cannot get monti digi to grow no matter what I do. So I’m glad I’m not the only one haha.

 

[Adiantum]

There will always be someone who can’t seem to grow a particular coral, whatever that may be.

Well, that’s already a neat spread of ideas we have here! Things for me to think about. I do dig the idea of a tank just full of Hawaii zoanthus/palythoa varieties…

 

[rmorris_14]

There will always be someone who can’t seem to grow a particular coral, whatever that may be.

Well, that’s already a neat spread of ideas we have here! Things for me to think about. I do dig the idea of a tank just full of Hawaii zoanthus/palythoa varieties…

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