Coral reccomendations for new reefer

[elreydelospesces]

Hello all. It's been a while since my set up and all is going well. I have a 29g FOWLR with a yellow tail damsel, false perc and a few cleaners. I have a double 65 watt compact flourescent with moon light and a CPR Bak Pak2 skimmer plus an additional power head for current. I am looking for some suggestions on begginer corals that will thrive in my tank. All water parameters are excellent and I change 10% every two weeks.

I really like acropora but understand they can be difficult. Any suggestions on a mild tempered beginner that I can possibly grow from a frag?

 

[Tackett]

shrooms, but beware that shrooms will eventually take the place over.

toadstool leathers (Sarcophyton sp.)
Colts are relatively easy (Cladiella sp.)
leather coral (Sarcophyton elegans)
xenais (Xenia sp)
Buttom polyps (Protopalythoa sp.)
Most Zoanthus

those are a few. You know, probably wouldnt be a bad idea to compile a list and put them on a sticky on this board, this is a FAQ for surely.

 

[jwc3]

I agree with the suggestion of creating a beginner corals FAQ. I've been searching for the same info, but it's hard to find around here.

 

[Tackett]

check the FAQ sticky. Think there are a few good resources in there.

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldnt think Xenia is much for beginners...Once established, they're easy as hell to keep but getting them acclimated can be tricky..I had xenia in my main tank and tried to frag out to my other tanks but wasnt successful :? dont ask me why but that seems to be the scuttlebutt with xenia...Zoanthids are good beginners...Shrooms can over take...(Ask Len) Ive had my shrooms since Aug of 03 and they havent spread (knock on wood)...some LPS are good for beginners if you have decent enough lighting..

 

[Tackett]

I wouldnt think Xenia is much for beginners...Once established, they're easy as hell to keep but getting them acclimated can be tricky..I had xenia in my main tank and tried to frag out to my other tanks but wasnt successful :? dont ask me why but that seems to be the scuttlebutt with xenia...Zoanthids are good beginners...Shrooms can over take...(Ask Len) Ive had my shrooms since Aug of 03 and they havent spread (knock on wood)...some LPS are good for beginners if you have decent enough lighting..

I thought double 65s would be enough light for some LPS, but may be wrong. And although xenias are a PITA to get acclimated, I think the aquacultured ones do very well. Granted the wild caught ones just melt.

 

[Anonymous]

Palythoa sp and Zoanthus sp are excellent for beginners. You can frag them easily, are very hardy and look cool too.

 

[elreydelospesces]

Thanks everyone! I also want to clarify my lighting I have dual 65 watt daylights and dual 65 watt actinics.

I definitely want to go aquacultured on everything I do. I found a place by me from the frag trading section of this board, that deals solely in aquacultered corals.

I appreciate all the help, this gives me a lot to choose from!

 

[ChrisRD]

I also want to clarify my lighting I have dual 65 watt daylights and dual 65 watt actinics.

With that much light over a 29 gallon tank you can have pretty much anything. There are a few extremely light demanding clams/corals/anemones that are always better-off under halides, but other than that, lighting should not be a limiting factor.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, just noticed no one has mentioned Montipora. Both M. Digitalis (branchy) and M. Capricornus (platelike) are good beginner sps, they are fast growing too.

 

[Anonymous]

Minime..the SPS you mentioned are good beginners...Under the right lighting of course.. :wink:

 

[Reefer_man]

the xenia in my avatar was my first coral and I have the same light setup as you do and my xenia loves it. I've even snipped a little branch off and glued it to another piece of LR and it is pulsing away and growing more and more everyday. I also have some shrooms and some zoos. Good luck

 

[Jolieve]

For starter sps, I agree, m. digi is a good route to go. I have a neon orange one that just grows and grows and grows.

Another great starter coral is colt coral. Colt coral grows well, but do keep an eye on it, it gets big.

J.