New to the reef looking for a start

[brunoboarder2444]

hey i am new to the reef however this is my 2nd sw tank. i was on 3reef looking for people from the area that have some frags for sale to start off a beginner as well as someone with some advice. I'm only looking for soft corals for now as that is what i am limited to with my current lighting. I have a 55 gallon tank with 29 gallon sump/fuge with 2 bicolor damsels, 2 blue/green chromis, a domino damsel, and a 3 stripe damsel. I would very much appreciate the help, I'm from throggs neck in the bronx.

 

[JonnyJ]

What kind of lights are you using? Just want to know so we can give you some coral options to choose from.

I would also like to mention that i personally would consider removing the damsels now before you fill the tank with corals and reef fish.

Although they are considered "reef" safe, from my experience and from what I hear from local reefers I can tell you that damsels pick on a lot of soft corals.

They are also very territorial and aggressive and it will be hard to add any other fish.

I would trap them. Set your rock in a way that allows maximum circulation and coral placement options then start filling it with random corals.

Some nice softies/easy lps I would consider are the followings. These are among my favorites


Green tyree toadstools
Green/nice color rhodactis mushrooms
Various ricordias
Paly/zoos (buy small frags and let them grow)
Rainbow frogspawn
Green/purple hammer coral
Green star polyps

Xenia and anthellia are also very nice. But they spread rapidly so try to keep them on separated rocks.

Coral placement is key in a reef tank.

 

[dubs]

Welcome to Mr and reefing I am on Dyer ave if want to swing by ur more than welcome I have a small setup going and I am working on a 100 g build

 

[brunoboarder2444]

What kind of lights are you using? Just want to know so we can give you some coral options to choose from.

I would also like to mention that i personally would consider removing the damsels now before you fill the tank with corals and reef fish.

Although they are considered "reef" safe, from my experience and from what I hear from local reefers I can tell you that damsels pick on a lot of soft corals.

They are also very territorial and aggressive and it will be hard to add any other fish.

I would trap them. Set your rock in a way that allows maximum circulation and coral placement options then start filling it with random corals.

Some nice softies/easy lps I would consider are the followings. These are among my favorites


Green tyree toadstools
Green/nice color rhodactis mushrooms
Various ricordias
Paly/zoos (buy small frags and let them grow)
Rainbow frogspawn
Green/purple hammer coral
Green star polyps

Xenia and anthellia are also very nice. But they spread rapidly so try to keep them on separated rocks.

Coral placement is key in a reef tank.

i have a current satellite fixture 2x65 10k/460nm combo bulb

http://www.aquacave.com/48-2x65w-satellite-pc-fixturebr-by-current-usa-901.html

i have spoken to a bunch of members on 3reef and they seem to feel that zoas and mushrooms would do fine as well as ricordeas as long as the ricordeas are place on the up 1/2-2/3 of the tank

i found a pretty good deal on reefs2go.com and picked up 3 ricordea(1 blue, 1 green, and 1 orange) for $40 and free shipping and if you get like products they include the free shipping on them as well so i also grabbed a frag of candy apple zoas(5 polyps) for $9.99 and razberry purple zoas(5 polyps) for $9.99 as well, my girlfriend bought them for me for our anniversary:groupflip the guys on 3reef seem to think ill be alright with that and maybe some easier lps near the top too but i'll wait on lps for a bit. however i will be upgrading my lighting probably close to christmas time and then ill probably try out some other stuff assuming i do well with these first few guys:biggrinpa

thank you for your help and fast response, id still like to hear a bit more if you have more to offer though