Coral recommendation for beginners

[reefhead728]

Just made a list of Corals for my 120 gal. let me know if these corals would be good for some one new to keeping corals

1. Neon pineapple Tree (Capnella SP)
2. Toadstool mushroom leather coral (sarcophyton SP)
3. Fire side acropora coral (acropora tennis)

[charlie]

If you are gonna mix softies and sps, make sure you run carbon. I think both of the softies you have on there are pretty toxic to any stony coral. JMHO

[reefhead728]

Any suggestions charlie?

[charlie]

What do you want to get into Jeremy? You know me, anymore, it's stony corals or die.

[reefhead728]

I like the sps hard coral. just looking for one thats good for a biggener

[charlie]

Look at something like Montipora digitata, some of the encrusting montipora, are good for beginners. Something like Acropora Yongei, is a fast grower and seems to tolerate just about anything, I couldn't kill it. Most of the staghorn acros are also very tolerant, micropthalma, formosa.

[reefhead728]

Thanks charlie ill check them out.

[reefhead728]

Found a website called extremecorals.com they have some pics of what you are talking about.

[charlie]

forgot to add that Pocillopora is also a good starting coral.

[ibefishy]

If you are gonna mix softies and sps, make sure you run carbon. I think both of the softies you have on there are pretty toxic to any stony coral. JMHO

Hey Charlie, Why is that? I have softies, sps, and lps and havent noticed any issues. Not that I wont but what would I look for? My sps are growing great. I dont want to give the impression that I know it all because I dont this is just the first time I have heard that.

[ibefishy]

Oh I forgot to add I dont run carbon.

[charlie]

What type of soft corals do you have, and what is the ratio. I have known about this for at least 6 years. If you have ever read any Anthony Calfo, Eric Borneman, they say the same thing, having a garden tank is like living on the edge. I am not kidding, softies give off toxins that some hard corals just don't enjoy!!

[reefhead728]

Charlie just was looking up some of the corals you recommended some of them say there care levels are for advanced. I realy like the Acropara Yongei might try to find a frag at that new place i was telling you about.

I do have one question for everyone though is it easyer to take care of a frag or should i just spend the money on a coral that is already of decent size the reason that i ask is this will be my first coral and didnt want to kill anything that would kill my pocket.

[charlie]

Which ones exactly say they are for advanced?

[reefhead728]

acropara yongei the one i like the most

[charlie]

Let's put it this way, I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't think you could grow it.

[reefhead728]

I know just was looking at some of the stuff online to see what they looked like and ran across the advanced deal. however i really am not conserned about the whole advanced thing. BTW how about the frag question are they harder to care for then a coral thats already of decent size of about 5X6?

[charlie]

I like the frags, that way I get to watch them grow. Are the size you are looking at maricultured? The reason I ask is sometimes those come to you pretty browned out, and you have to worry about them coloring up. The frags are usually the best way to go. JMHO

[reefhead728]

what do you mean maricultured?

[charlie]

Here's some reading for you:

Maricultured versus Aquacultured Aquarium Corals: Cultured Coral is Good for Saltwater Aquarium Hobby and Ecosystems | Suite101.com