Looking to get first corals HELP

[Jessecole]

Hi everybody!!! This is my first post and I’m so excited to be here and be part of this community! So I have been keeping freshwater fish for a while now and about 3 months back I decided it’s time to try my first ever saltwater tank.

I did tons of research! I purchased a 18” cube tank that comes to about 25 gallons. Got some Figi Pink, dry rock, aquascaped, mixed up some RODI, and added some fritz turbo start.

A few days later I got my 2 favorite little clownfish!!! Their names are Love and Thunder (after the Thor movie.) I feed them a few pellets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They’re super happy and super healthy. The tank seems to be really establishing itself as I’m starting to see some coralline algae dots appearing on the rocks. I have been leaving the light off just to try and avoid the ugly stage and so far I haven’t had any ugly algae growth.

So my question is. I want to add coral to this tank eventually. I know that 3 months is still early to do so but so was 3 days to add the fish but they’re really happy and they’re doing well. So has anyone here added corals relatively early? Can I add coral now? What should I look into getting (thinking about getting a nem for love and thunder, also some zoas, pulsing xynia, and easy cheap corals of that nature), how do I not break the bank buying corals, and how do I care for them, how much light do they need when I start using the light I got, all these.

I know that’s lots of questions but any info will help for the newbie thank you all so much in advance again I’m so glad to be here ))

 

[Azael]

I would add some live rock and also I would make the rock scape a little taller. You will use that space for corals and it will be harder to make changes once you got corals.
I put my first corals after a few months and it all went very well.
I started with kenya tree, xenya and discosoma (the classic types). They are easy and cheap.

 

[kevgib67]

I had easy soft corals in at 3 months. Zoas and gsp both on their own rock Island as well as a ricordia mushroom.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have been leaving the light off just to try and avoid the ugly stage and so far I haven’t had any ugly algae growth.

You are only delaying the ugly stage and hampering the ability of your tank to mature... Turn on the lights, get some algae growth, add a cuc. Then after a few more weeks, you can add an easy coral or 2.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

how do I care for them, how much light do they need

You'll need to research the corals you want and find out what care they need... Tons of info at your fingertips, lol.

 

[jda]

Love and Thunder are going to need more than a few pellets three days a week. They will need multiple feedings per day. Mix in some flake, mysis and/or some other good frozen food.

 

[oliverout]

Id say just get some corals now also id recommend feeding twice a day pellets and frozen food. Also welcome.

 

[littlefoxx]

Hi everybody!!! This is my first post and I’m so excited to be here and be part of this community! So I have been keeping freshwater fish for a while now and about 3 months back I decided it’s time to try my first ever saltwater tank.

I did tons of research! I purchased a 18” cube tank that comes to about 25 gallons. Got some Figi Pink, dry rock, aquascaped, mixed up some RODI, and added some fritz turbo start.

A few days later I got my 2 favorite little clownfish!!! Their names are Love and Thunder (after the Thor movie.) I feed them a few pellets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They’re super happy and super healthy. The tank seems to be really establishing itself as I’m starting to see some coralline algae dots appearing on the rocks. I have been leaving the light off just to try and avoid the ugly stage and so far I haven’t had any ugly algae growth.

So my question is. I want to add coral to this tank eventually. I know that 3 months is still early to do so but so was 3 days to add the fish but they’re really happy and they’re doing well. So has anyone here added corals relatively early? Can I add coral now? What should I look into getting (thinking about getting a nem for love and thunder, also some zoas, pulsing xynia, and easy cheap corals of that nature), how do I not break the bank buying corals, and how do I care for them, how much light do they need when I start using the light I got, all these.

I know that’s lots of questions but any info will help for the newbie thank you all so much in advance again I’m so glad to be here ))

I added corals before 3 months in my tank and didnt have an issue! I started with Zoas, they are the most forgiving for water shifts. Just keep an eye on the water and feed them with coral food and stuff to supplement their diet!

 

[littlefoxx]

Also I agree with the above for feeding. I only used pellet food in a pinch when Im out of my frozen. They will grow way better if you feed them twice a day. These are my clown pairs (two different tanks). They get big (the maroon isnt even fully grown). I need to feed them 2 times a day with a snack inbetween meals cause they get hungry. Just to show you how big they get!

 

[MrGisonni]

Go slowly. Increase you lighting and monitor your water quality. A little more information about your lights, filtration and maintain schedule would help the folks here guide you. Beginner coral like leathers, Kenya tree corals, xenia, even Ricordia Anemones would be some good choices.

 

[Uncle99]

The micro-fauna and water chemistry would not be at the point of adding corals safety.
Fish tolerate changes in water chemistry way better than corals, so the fact that fish do well is not an indicator of coral success.

Once Alk, CA and MG levels remain virtually unchanged over a month when tested daily and nutrient levels show both the availability and stability, then I add what I want.

Otherwise, many will dwindle over time.

A lot of softies get big fast.

 

[Jessecole]

Also I agree with the above for feeding. I only used pellet food in a pinch when Im out of my frozen. They will grow way better if you feed them twice a day. These are my clown pairs (two different tanks). They get big (the maroon isnt even fully grown). I need to feed them 2 times a day with a snack inbetween meals cause they get hungry. Just to show you how big they get!

Beautiful fish thank you for the response

 

[1112-425XL]

I don't think three mos. is to soon for an easy coral. Just do a little research on placement and lighting. When ugly stage hits (and it will) just try to stay ahead of it with maintenance, brushing, siphoning etc. Good Luck and