good starter hard coral?

BHenderson79 · 01-07-2008, 11:14 AM

I've got a 75 gallon reef system that's been running for about a year now. I have a lot of soft corals (tree, colt, open brain, fungia, mushrooms, zooanthids, etc) but i'd like to start getting into some hard corals. My LFS has warned me that they can be harder to keep, but they never gave me any real reason why other than they might get nipped by fish. I doubt my fish will bother them (firefish, banggai cardinal, blennies, gramma, clownfish... thinking of getting a coral beauty, though).

Any suggestions for good species of hard corals to try that will look nice and do well for a beginner with hard corals?

THANKS!

panmanmatt · 01-07-2008, 11:17 AM

Well you already have 2 hard corals in there. Open brains and fungias are LPS hard corals. If you'd like to add a few others, you can try torch, frogspawn and hammers they are all members of the euphyllia family and are fairly hearty.

Witfull · 01-07-2008, 11:21 AM

digitata montipora~

Dentoid · 01-07-2008, 11:31 AM

Montiopora capricornis.

BHenderson79 · 01-07-2008, 02:02 PM

ah, those two montipora suggestions are nice looking (at least as far as google image search shows me)

michael_cb_125 · 01-07-2008, 02:54 PM

Montiporas are good starter corals, some are easier to care for than others.
Also I think that Pocillipora, and seriatopora are good starter SPS corals. I have both of these and they are doing great for me. The best thing to do is get Aquacultured frags, they adapt to our aquariums sooo much better than wild colonies.
Good Luck~Michael

BHenderson79 · 01-07-2008, 02:59 PM

I've heard about frags in a ton of posts here, but I'd never heard the frag terminology before joining the forum today. Where is the best place to acquire frags if I'm not trading?

panmanmatt · 01-07-2008, 03:12 PM

Well seeing as you live in New Jersey, you may want to head on over and check out The New Jersey Reefers Club - Home. There are always folks selling frags. Besides, it's a great group of hobbiests always willing to help out. You may also want to consider joining the club and attending some of their monthly meetings.

Also check the for sale forums on here and visit some of the sponsors.

BHenderson79 · 01-07-2008, 03:14 PM

Thanks!

Cassette87 · 01-07-2008, 04:13 PM

I agree

montis are pretty fool-proof!

aquaman3680 · 01-07-2008, 04:15 PM

I would watch the digis with the blenny in there. I have had 3 different blennies and each one of them likes to pick at the smooth skin SPS but not the real rough ones for some reason.

Matt

BHenderson79 · 01-07-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaman3680

I would watch the digis with the blenny in there. I have had 3 different blennies and each one of them likes to pick at the smooth skin SPS but not the real rough ones for some reason.

Matt

My blenny is a weirdo. When I first got it, it would mow the algae on rocks and glass constantly, as I expected it to. Then after a while it discovered that it liked the flakes and pellets that the other fish were eating. It totally gave up on algae and now just feeds ravenously on regular fish food - it even feeds from the surface of the water, which looks hilarious.

Aquadelight · 01-07-2008, 04:36 PM

If you go the Euphyllia route, I would try the torch coral last. I think the hammer and frogspawns are easier.

As to montiporas, I have two 1 inch frags of the capricornis (1 red and 1 green). If you put them close together, they may swirl together creating an even more interesting result. They grow slowly though, so it will take a while.

Also, are you keeping track of your calcium levels?

BHenderson79 · 01-09-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquadelight

Also, are you keeping track of your calcium levels?

yeah, they've been like 400-420 every time i've tested.

01-07-2008, 11:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
BHenderson79 Limpet Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 136 View Gallery Karma Komment	good starter hard coral? I've got a 75 gallon reef system that's been running for about a year now. I have a lot of soft corals (tree, colt, open brain, fungia, mushrooms, zooanthids, etc) but i'd like to start getting into some hard corals. My LFS has warned me that they can be harder to keep, but they never gave me any real reason why other than they might get nipped by fish. I doubt my fish will bother them (firefish, banggai cardinal, blennies, gramma, clownfish... thinking of getting a coral beauty, though). Any suggestions for good species of hard corals to try that will look nice and do well for a beginner with hard corals? THANKS!

01-07-2008, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
panmanmatt Acropora Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waretown, NJ Posts: 1,986 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: good starter hard coral? Well you already have 2 hard corals in there. Open brains and fungias are LPS hard corals. If you'd like to add a few others, you can try torch, frogspawn and hammers they are all members of the euphyllia family and are fairly hearty. __________________ The mind is like a parachute, it only works when opened. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(")

01-07-2008, 11:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,240 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: good starter hard coral? Montiopora capricornis. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

01-07-2008, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
BHenderson79 Limpet Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 136 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: good starter hard coral? ah, those two montipora suggestions are nice looking (at least as far as google image search shows me)

01-07-2008, 02:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
michael_cb_125 Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 3,344 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: good starter hard coral? Montiporas are good starter corals, some are easier to care for than others. Also I think that Pocillipora, and seriatopora are good starter SPS corals. I have both of these and they are doing great for me. The best thing to do is get Aquacultured frags, they adapt to our aquariums sooo much better than wild colonies. Good Luck~Michael __________________ In the process of taking the 240 down. Setting up an Elos System 70 and Elos Mini.

01-07-2008, 02:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
BHenderson79 Limpet Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 136 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: good starter hard coral? I've heard about frags in a ton of posts here, but I'd never heard the frag terminology before joining the forum today. Where is the best place to acquire frags if I'm not trading?

01-07-2008, 03:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
panmanmatt Acropora Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waretown, NJ Posts: 1,986 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: good starter hard coral? Well seeing as you live in New Jersey, you may want to head on over and check out The New Jersey Reefers Club - Home. There are always folks selling frags. Besides, it's a great group of hobbiests always willing to help out. You may also want to consider joining the club and attending some of their monthly meetings. Also check the for sale forums on here and visit some of the sponsors. __________________ The mind is like a parachute, it only works when opened. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(")

01-07-2008, 03:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
BHenderson79 Limpet Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 136 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: good starter hard coral? Thanks!

01-07-2008, 04:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cassette87 Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Palos Park, IL Posts: 1,415 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: good starter hard coral? I agree montis are pretty fool-proof! __________________ Andy My 29 Gallon Reef! My DIY LED Lights Current Status - Camping - Back 7/21/08 I'm still around people, just on a sort of "summer-time leave" Feel free to PM or e-mail me for any needs!

01-07-2008, 04:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,133 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: good starter hard coral? I would watch the digis with the blenny in there. I have had 3 different blennies and each one of them likes to pick at the smooth skin SPS but not the real rough ones for some reason. Matt __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip

01-07-2008, 04:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
Aquadelight Bryozoan Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 55 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: good starter hard coral? If you go the Euphyllia route, I would try the torch coral last. I think the hammer and frogspawns are easier. As to montiporas, I have two 1 inch frags of the capricornis (1 red and 1 green). If you put them close together, they may swirl together creating an even more interesting result. They grow slowly though, so it will take a while. Also, are you keeping track of your calcium levels?

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