Thinking About Getting First Softies

[chaserdogg01]

Hi everyone,

Now that I have a 5-6 months under my belt keeping a fish only tank with my two clowns and CUC, I am planning on venturing into my first softies. I took parameters last night using Salifert kits and a Hanna checker for Phosphorous and got the following readings:

Nitrates - 5-10
Calcium - 485
Magnesium - 1200
Phosphates - 34 PPB
Salinity - 1.027 (working on bringing this down to 1.025, had a device that was not reading salinity correct so I got a refractometer this week)
pH - 8-8.15
Alkalinity - 8.7

I am also using instant ocean reef crystals in a 75 gallon. Once a week water changes of 8 gallons with RODI water. I'm thinking of starting with the following corals from Drreefs:

-Branching GSP
-Anthelia - Waving Hand
-Kenya Tree
-Pulsing Xenia

Are any of these commonly labeled as more beginner coral and are actually difficult or should I be fine to give them a go?

Thank you for helping us beginners :)

 

[smitten with ocean life]

those are all great beginner corals. just keep in mind that the reason being, they are very hardy (usually) and will spread

 

[BonnieB]

Agree with above…keep gsp and Xenia on their own islands if possible. Or be prepared to trim to keep in check. The Kenya tree will detach its branches and float to another spot and anchor itself. So if you’re planning to start they are forgiving and cool to watch ebb and flow.

 

[Biokabe]

Personally - I wouldn't start with any of those corals.

Don't get me wrong - they are all hardy and adaptable and relatively easy to keep. In that sense they are great beginner corals.

However, like the others have said, they grow very quickly and can easily take over all of your rockwork. At some point you'll likely want to bring in other corals, and you'll have to clear away these corals to make space for them. You're not wrong to want to start with softies, just be careful with the softies you choose.

I'd start with finger leathers, toadstool leathers, or zoanthids. Still hardy and good growers, but not quite as invasive as the other corals you mentioned.

Ultimately it's up to you, the corals you mentioned are beautiful and I know a lot of people enjoy them. I'm just always wary of corals the can go invasive.

 

[FUNGI]

Agree with all the above. Word of advice (regret?) Kenya Trees. You will only need a small piece. Don't buy into a big overpriced piece. Based on your parameters (post fixing the salinity) they will take over the tank quickly. Also make sure you have plenty of flow for the softies........

 

[FUNGI]

Agree with all the above. Word of advice (regret?) Kenya Trees. You will only need a small piece. Don't buy into a big overpriced piece. Based on your parameters (post fixing the salinity) they will take over the tank quickly. Also make sure you have plenty of flow for the softies........

 

[FUNGI]

SIDE NOTE: If you want Kenya's and Koji Wada, I can ship you large pieces for free...just pay overnight shipping LOL....

 

[Nitrogencat]

Toadstools are really cool and easy to frag when first starting

 

[chaserdogg01]

Thanks everyone! Fungi, may take you up on that offer of Kenya tree and koji wada

 

[fladiver]

I’d consider doing an island of GSP. I thought about doing the others you mentioned but ultimately decided not to since I wanted to do other corals and also didn’t want to go have to be constantly worrying about the others taking over my rockwork.

 

[BryanM]

I'd just google more on all of them. The xenia are a huge no go for me, too much spread, and hard to rid yourself of after the fact.