[NoSump]

Guys:

I have gone through the long, and somtimes painful, process of cycling a new reef tank w/live rock. I have a few remaining issues before I am ready to introduce lifestock (currently resolving a diatom algae bloom). I have made the decision to start with soft corals before introducing any fish.

I am new to the hobby, and would like to start with realtively low maintenance and high survivability soft corals. My tank is a 72 Gal Oceanic Bowfront. My lighting is PC 2-96 watt Actinic and 2-96 watt 10K - and three moonlights.

What would you recommend as the first two or three corals that would be appropriate to add to my tank (obviously, I also want attractive specimens but understand that there will be a trade-off between ease maintenance and beauty of coral)? I would appreciate any direction and advise to make the process more successful.

Chuck

[Poseidon]

Fish first then corals.... Less cost if something goes wrong in the delicate stages after the Cycle. I would advise at least 3-4 months AFTER your cycle completed till the addition of any coral.

[NoSump]

Thanks, I know that there are two schools of thought in regard to fish vs. corals first.

Your point regarding the cost of initial failure is a good one. I'll put a couple of $4 Chromis in first and see how they fair for a month. When I do decide to introduce soft corals what would you suggest?

Chuck

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by NoSump

I'll put a couple of $4 Chromis in first and see how they fair for a month. When I do decide to introduce soft corals what would you suggest?

Do not put anything in your tank that you don't want to keep. If you want Chromis in your tank eventually, then it would be OK to add them first but don't get them just because they are relatively hardy. The same applies to corals. Don't stick a bunch of mushrooms in your tank unless you are sure that you want lots and lots of mushrooms later on.

One of many possibilities as your first softie would be Ricordea florida. It doesn't require a lot of light and it won't take over your tank like regular mushrooms will. It will reproduce in your tank but it won't take over.

[NoSump]

One of many possibilities as your first softie would be Ricordea florida. It doesn't require a lot of light and it won't take over your tank like regular mushrooms will. It will reproduce in your tank but it won't take over.

Ninong:

Thanks, what is the common name for Ricordea Florida? By the way, in regard to the other thread about my cloudy water - my PH tested very low (7.8).

[Samper]

This is ricordia florida.

[NoSump]

Thanks Samper - looks good. Is it always purple, or are there other color variations?

Chuck

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by NoSump

Ninong:

Thanks, what is the common name for Ricordea Florida?

The common name for Ricordea florida is Ricordea.

There are two species in the genus Ricordea: R. florida from the Western Atlantic and R. yuma from the Indo-Pacific. R. yuma is more expensive. Both R. florida and R. yuma come in several different colors. R. yuma comes in some very spectacular colorations but they are VERY pricey! In general, R. florida runs from about $8 - $15 per polyp. R. yuma runs from about $20 - $50 per polyp for most colors but as much as $190 per polyp for the brightest hot pink colors.

Start out with R. florida and don't pay for one of those huge rocks with a dozen or more polyps. Just get a small rock with one or two polyps. Both R. florida and R. yuma reproduce asexually in captivity and both can be fragged by slicing them into pie wedges with a clean, sharp razor blade. I have never tried that myself but it can be done. Asexual reproduction is by pedal laceration.

By the way, in regard to the other thread about my cloudy water - my PH tested very low (7.8).

A pH of 7.8 is low but not horribly low if that was taken first thing in the morning. It that was the reading late in the afternoon, then that's a different story altogether.

[NoSump]

Ninong:

Thanks, Ricordia sounds like a good starting softie. As you suggested, I'll start out with one or two of the less expensive pieces.

My "smokey water" appears to have cleared completely. I am dosing the C-Balance differently, and that may be the factor. In any event, I'm sure this won't be the last "mystery problem" that crops up in my tank. With the addition of the calcium and the 11 hour lighting schedule, my live rock is finally starting to come "alive". It's really amazing to see the changes as the rock re-grows it's coraline alagae.

My next project is the addition of a sump.

Chuck

[Nelsonius]

I am just getting my tank together again after a long time. I don't have a great deal of experience w/ sps or lps corals. I hope to soon. Anyway I have some ricordea (orange) that are doing great. Very easy. My yellow polyps have doubled in number over the last month. My zooanthids have spread (about 10 new ones), and my cabbage leather has split in two. I have had them all about a month. If, I can keep them alive they have to be easy.

One point though. I hope you like the chromis and not many other fish. All of them I have ever had (damsels in general) were terribly aggressive. They do't stay small very long either. I had to return mine a long time ago.