Beginer corals - What do you think?

A

AquaMan

[For all you "pros" out there, this post is for you. Im sure alot of you have been doing this for quite some time now and have plenty of experience with what corals do best in certain situations. I know im just being lazy by not doing my own research, but if you dont mind taking a min, i think it would be neat if you told me about a "easy" to maintain coral that you would recomend, what it looks like and what sort of conditions it thrives in (i.e. light, water current, depth in tank, food, and what it doesnt do well with etc). Thanks a million for all of your help in advance.]
 
[I have all those for sale.

3 different leathers, zoo's and some green star polyp, some xenia and anthelia for free]
 
[If you don't mind spot feeding once and awhile, most LPS would probably be pretty easy. Things like a frogspawn or elegance (though I have heard horror stories about these in the last few years, they used to be one of the easiest), candy cane is a sure winner, fox coral, etc...

Just to add to brians list.]
 
[Colt Coral was my first soft coral.
Kenya Tree is another easy one.
Any kind of common green or red or striped mushroom - it only takes one to have a million. (NOT ricordia, NOT frilly mushrooms - both need more light)
Button Polyps
Green Star Polyps
Pulsing Xenia - PomPom is nicer than Red Sea Xenia

All of these like moderate flow, decent lighting but not a massive amount, and good clean water quality.

Something to keep in mind is that many of these "easy" corals tend to spread and can reach plague proportions. Unfortunately the harder corals don't plague us nearly enough. :glare:

So if you get Green Star Polyps or Anthellia, don't let it take over all your rockwork.]
 
@Marc wrote:
[So if you get Green Star Polyps or Anthellia said:
[What is the best way to keep it from spreading? I have some GSP and Anthelia I just got from Peter, and I am keeping them seperated from my main rocks. Can they float like Aptasia, or will they stay put as long as they aren't touching the main rock structure?

Second question, what's the best way to spot feed, and how often? I've got some frogspawn I'd like to keep happy. :)

Thanks!]
Click to expand...
 
[Keeping the encrusting corals isolated from the main rock work is the only way I can think of to make sure they don't get out of hand. This can be done by placing them on the sand (if you have it) or by placing little pieces of rock around them in order for them to spread on and then be removed. As far as the frogspawn goes, I personally have never spot fed one. They seem to do fine given enough light and proper water conditions.]



Edited By bulldogger1 on 1095613384
 
[Pulsing Xenia always grows upwards/uphill. If you want to keep it contained, grow it at the peak of your rockwork where it has nowhere to grow. Or if you want to frag it to use in trade with others (or get store credit at the LFS), put small rocks around it like David suggested.

You can target feed a frogspawn, a hammer, plate corals like Fungia) and more. Turn off your pumps, and drizzle some thawed mysis shrimp near their oral areas. They'll eat it providing nothing comes over to steal it (like many shrimp). After 1 hour, turn your pumps back on.]
 
[Well if you really like it and arent worried about other corals its fine. The problem most have with xenia and shrooms is that they will overgrow or grow too closely to other corals and it causes them harm. If you keep it surrounded by small rocks or shell pieces it is easy to pull some out here and there, and others on the board will always be happy to take those frags off your hands.]
 
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