I would like a coral: comments suggestions

[Aquattro]

Give a little more info on your tank. Lighting, H2O parameters,size, fish load, etc. You don't need a drip system to add kalk as there are many two part additives to make up Ca++ levels. Lighting can't be skimped on though for most stoney corals.

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Calcium additions and Buffer additions.

This can be accomplished "inexpensively" via several methods. I have used Seachem's Buffer and Reef Advantange (the calcium). It can be mixed with fresh water and poured in to your tank without dripping (J&L sells them for $20 for a 1kg of each). You'll need a Calcium and Alk test kit too.

Another alternative is the two part solution -- something like $60 for two 1 Gal bottles. I have heard that two part gives slightly better results (has more than just buffer and calcium [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] ) Again...it just a daily pour in some stuff (sort of like taking your medicine).

As for a nice starter hard coral : start with something easy like a brain coral or a candy cane. If you would like to try something a little bit more difficult, then try a white bubble coral (green ones are a little bit harder) or a pearl. Next ? The usual torches, anchors and etc. Branching kind is easier to recover from a disaster. Hardest ? The Elegance coral.

Hope that helps.

- Victor.

[BCReefer]

I have a 33G tank with 175 MH and 2 30 W actinic lighting with a Back Pak2 Skimmer.

2 clowns
1 Green Carpet Anemone 3” accross
1 Xenia small frag
10 Turbo Snails
6 – 8 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs

all water parameters are good. Tank was a 27G but moved up to a 33G as it fit my stand about 4 weeks ago. Used all the water and sand from 27G and just added more sand. 27G has been for 5 – 6 months.

I do have a Calcium and Alk testers.

If you think my tank needs more time just let me know. I want to do this right. I don’t mind spending a little money but, I am already working 3 jobs to pay for it so I need to go easy. [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

Many thanks

[Aquattro]

Your setup sounds fine, except I'm not sure what "normal" is for parameters. Assuming A/N/N is 0/0/0, then the corals Victor suggested would be fine. The LPS corals are a little tolerant of some nitrate and phosphate, so as long as the tank is well thru any cycling, you should do fine.

[BCReefer]

My nitrate is about 10 - 15. everything else is a 0. My salinity is about 1.025 and pH is about 8.0 - 8.5, the Hagen tester is damn hard to read. I'm thinking of getting a pH Pen.

I am thinking of adding another fish soon. can I add both or should I wait? Does a LPS cause your system to cycle.

I tried to get on the weekend to J&L's to buy a book but was stuck at the sisters instead. Hope to go this weekend to read up on all this stuff.

Patrick

[One_Divided]

One LPS won't suck up too much calcium.. what test kits are you using for calcium?

Regular water changes will keep the calcium up high enough for one coral in a tank that size. Probably even a few more then that without a noticiable drop in the calcium level.. In my experience that is..

I used to add about 2mls of liquid calcium per week in the same size tank and then I switched to Kalk.. The liquid calcium worked fine though..

[naesco]

You have a green carpet anenome already>
What kind of anenome?

[BCReefer]

I am using a fastest Alk tester and a Hagen Calcium tester.

Naesco – you don’t think 6 months for a tank is long enough, before putting in anemone? It has only been 4 weeks for the new tank but all the rock, water sand etc is from the old tank. STICHODACTYLA GIGANTEA is the type of anemone that I have. I purchased it for my clowns and yes I do know that it is not needed.

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Say...here's an idea. Wait till your Xenias get nice and big (trust me...they will get pretty big if your tank is doing well)...then trade your xenias for some equipment and stuff.

As for your anemone...feed it lots and give it light. Then you should be fine.

- Victor.

[naesco]

Anenome are for experts and the Magnifica is one of the most difficult. A definite for experts.
If you are new to the hobby I would recommend John Tullocks Natural Reef Aquariums and Robert Fenners The Concientious Marine Acquarist.
And you are right clowns don't need anenome to be happy. Nothing or a bubble coral is fine.