Soft Corals

[Jerry Ebner]

Hello, I've had a fish only system for over 6 months not any issue yet so I went ahead and purchased me a Radion XR15w G4 Pro Marine LED Light Fixture. Should be here today. my tank is the 18x18 cube
I wanted to do a softie tank. Any advice or must need supplies for corals as I want to make a purchase sometime soon, I live in the San Antonio Texas and saltwater choice are lacking might have to go online... Any ideas on good choices?
I liked the look of Xenias but they seem to take over the tank and I would rather get something small and grow small, Would like to stay to not dose for now until I further my knowledge

Kena tree looked nice but it also seems to take over a tank. I hope to start simple and advice slowly.

 

[trio91]

Kenya trees IMO are almost bullet proof (but like you said, can take over very quickly as they drop buds) , toadstools, and sinularia's are also good choices. All will do well with just water changes.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

With that light you could grow pretty much anything in that tank.

Zoas, green star polyps, giant clove polyps/palm tree corals, nephthea leathers, and mushrooms would all be a good fit for a softie-focused aquarium in addition to the ones mentioned before.

 

[Sandroni]

Marcus said it before me lol, IMO zoas are fast growers if you feed them. I feed mine reefroids and I get 3 heads a week!

 

[Jerry Ebner]

Wow, thanks that gives me Great ideas thanks and if anyone has more let me know doing my research and when I learn how to properly use my new light I will find a place to get the corals.

 

[trio91]

I've never used that light before as I'm a kessil man....but keep in mind that the light carries some serious "horsepower" in it and will be a bad thing of you decide to fully crank that all the way up at once. I would definitely start off at a lower intensity as the softies require much less light compared to Sps. Also, Id place them all in the sand-bed or on a lower rock shelf for now so they have a chance to acclimate to your light.

Here's a @Bulk Reef Supply youtube video on that particular light for some more tips

 

[Jerry Ebner]

I got the light that way If I ever go to SPS or LPS then I'll be covered. I knew beforehand I would have to turn it way down and thanks for the tips. I don't have any corals but once I feel I can control the light better I plan to get the corals once I know I won't harm them , taking baby steps here.

 

[Jerry Ebner]

Update I got the Light setup and man this thing is a monster. I have to learn how to dial it back for sure. Tried looking online for some other people on the setup. I backed the strength down to 15% no corals in the tank but Once i can manage the light then I can move on to corals. Have to take a photo soon

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Nice palys are a good idea too. Palythoa grandis look great and grow fast. Nuclear green palys and purple deaths are nice too.

 

[Jerry Ebner]

Tank with my new lights only set them at 15 % intensity lol.

 

[Jerry Ebner]

Tank after corals. day 2 of soft corals.

 

[trio91]

I like it....what filtration ru using?

 

[trio91]

Are the corals out n extended?

 

[Jerry Ebner]

Sump below with icecap skimmer. Got some filter media In the sump and carbon within the filter sock. And yes the corals are extending.

 

[Jerry Ebner]

Filter floss in the bubble trap. Got some extra media for cycling purpose down the road.

 

[trio91]

Filter floss in the bubble trap. Got some extra media for cycling purpose down the road.

very nice...

 

[trio91]

is that the ice cap ATO in the back?

 

[Jerry Ebner]

Oh yeah that's only a week old and it's working great

 

[trio91]

Good to know, you're the 2nd person to tell me that as I have been eyeballing it