soft corals when?

[dadonoflaw]

i have had the tank up for a about 2 months give or take and i guy in my local reef club wants to give me a couple of frags. bubble coral green stripped mushroom purple mushroom and pom pom xenia thoughts?

[doctorthompson]

Don't know about the bubble or the xenia but the shrooms are pretty hardy and should do fine if your water params are decent.

[Rob]

there really isnt a hard rule or cut off point..
the xenia and shrooms should be fine.. the bubble coral can be a touch more sensitive but if your tank stable and you are prepared to feed it if needed and such you can try that also.

[dadonoflaw]

thank you gentlemen

[Raggamuffin]

Most softies I've seen are seriously hardy all but 1 of mine came in on uncured live rock and made it clear through cycling, that 1 that didn't go through the cycle balance I bought and would bet it would have made it too.

[Plasticreefer]

Im Way new to all this tank stuff and i was wondering what the best soft coral for a budgeted reefer with 2 clownfish 4 chromis and a 29 gallon tank

[wwest]

Xenia's or Anthelias.


Welcome to talking reef my friend

[doctorthompson]

Originally Posted by Plasticreefer

Im Way new to all this tank stuff and i was wondering what the best soft coral for a budgeted reefer with 2 clownfish 4 chromis and a 29 gallon tank

Welcome to TR, Plasticreefer.

Should I assume normal T8 flourescent lights since almost every "new" 29g I see lately has an Eclipse hood?

Xenia (placed higher up in the tank), Sarcophytons (Toadstool leathers), Colt corals, and many Zoanthids. If you have fairly powerful lighting (multiple PC/T5, or MH) and good water quality you can simply buy small coral "frags" cheaply and let them grow in your tank (you won't see fast growth under normal output flourescent lighting).

PS. If my assumption about the Eclipse hood was correct, take out the BIO-wheel and replace your filter cartridge often (or buy bulk polywool instead) or even a deep sand bed won't be able to keep up with the nitrate production.

[CarmieJo]

Hi Plastic Reefer,

I don't have anything to add to the list so I will just say to TR.

[Plasticreefer]

Thanks so much for the very knowledgable person thanks. one thing though i actually have a 10000k daylight flourescents led moonlights and dusk lights in my oceanic hood. also i would like to find somthing that my clownfish would enjoy.

P.S. i am on a budget up to 80$

[Plasticreefer]

thanks so much

[doctorthompson]

Originally Posted by Plasticreefer

Thanks so much for the very knowledgable person thanks. one thing though i actually have a 10000k daylight flourescents led moonlights and dusk lights in my oceanic hood. also i would like to find somthing that my clownfish would enjoy.

P.S. i am on a budget up to 80$

Is that one of those Oceanic BioCubes?

There's no guarantee that clownfish will accept and host in an "anemone-like" coral -- mine just like sitting in a $0.35 clay pot thats sitting behind our live rock!

[Plasticreefer]

it is that oceanic, and i really would like them to have anenome like coral would they hang there if i put it in there?

[Plasticreefer]

this is my filter

[doctorthompson]

Originally Posted by Plasticreefer

it is that oceanic, and i really would like them to have anenome like coral would they hang there if i put it in there?

They might, it isn't all that rare, but there's certainly no guarantee. Ours play a bit in a torch coral but it shrivels up until they leave.

[Plasticreefer]

What species of coral would be the best and wats the price?

[doctorthompson]

Originally Posted by Plasticreefer

What species of coral would be the best and wats the price?

There is no "best species", just look through the previous replies for suggestions and check your local fish store for prices.

I'd also recommend you listen to all the related podcasts that Rob has done:
Related Podcast Episodes

[Amphibious]

Hey Plasticreefer,

to Talking Reef Community and Podcast.

I see others are answering your questions satisfactorily. A great group of reefers here.