fishrule101

I'm getting ready to buy some corals add was wondering what do I really need?? I know about the calcium. I'm planning on buying a test kit for the alkalinity and calcium. I use reef crystals for my SM. Is calcuim the only thing I need to add to the tank?? I 'm planning on getting Xenia or mushrooms. Also what is a good brand to use for the calcuim supp.??

fishrule101

Oh, I forgot to say i'm also getting two feather dusters. They are not coral so they don't need the calcuim much, right? I'm planning on feeding it since my tank is not old enough to make phytoplanton.

Mike

There are quite a few more factors to worry about when keeping corals as well as different corals having different needs. Alkalinity, magnesium, calcium, pH, nitrate, phosphate, dissolved organics, tank temperature, proper lighting, feeding, etc. all need to be thought through.

Feather dusters use calcium and carbon to build their protective tubes.

Head to a library and see if they have Aquarium Corals by Borneman or the Book of Coral Propagation by Calfo or buy these books if you're serious about keeping corals. These books will pay for themselves by giving you advanced knowledge before you buy coral on whether or not you can really care for it. Also, go SLOWLY, take your time and enjoy it. It is a lot of fun.

Xenia is not a bad idea for a first coral in my opinion.

fishrule101

I have almost eveything that I need. I just want to know what should I test for and add to the tank.

fishrule101

What do I need to test for and add to my fish tank in order to get ready for corals??

Slug

I'm not a huge fan of chemicals of any sort. I only use a calcium two part solution (Two Little Fishes two part). And thats it. I keep all sorts of coral. I would suggest testing for all the normal readings as well as calcium, phosphate, and maybe magnesium.

fishrule101

Ok thanks. How should I check the clacium?? Weekly, daliy..ect. I'm thinking everyother day if heavy with corals and twice a week if not. So I should buy a test kit for calcium and phosphate?

nemo addict

i test weekly for ca & po4

Corals can obtain food in a variety of ways. Reef-building corals rely on the photosynthetic products of zooxanthellae for the majority of their nutrients. However, corals also capture zooplankton for food. Corals are suspension feeders. They utilize two main methods of prey capture: nematocyst adhesion and mucus entrapment . Nematocysts on the tentacles and mesentarial filaments can be used to sting prey and move it into the mouth. Some corals will trap prey in sticky mucus on their tentacles and move the prey into the mouth using the mucus and cilia. Prey size is correlated to polyp size .

Most corals feed at night. This may be because night is when the zooplankton travel into the water column and become available for capture. Keeping the tentacles retracted during the day may also help corals avoid predation, protect themselves from UV light, and avoid shading their zooxanthellae.

fishrule101

Will this be enough to start keeping corals? I'm planning on getting two of the power heads. The total water movenment in my tank will be around 682 gph. I think thats more than enough for my 28g tank.

http://www.aloha-aquariums.com/servl...l?sfs=6f6a2846


http://www.aloha-aquariums.com/servl...l?sfs=6f6a2846


http://www.aloha-aquariums.com/servl...l?sfs=6f6a2846

= 81.06 with shipping

fishrule101

Heres my other option. Again I will get two powerheads.


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...09&pcatid=4609 ( They are also 400)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=15473


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...37&pcatid=4737

= 80.95 with shipping

Which is better Kent Marine or C-Balance??

PetSmart

I liked mushrooms as my first corals. Same with Button Polyps
(Protopalythoa sp.). Neither are too demanding. Our LFS cut me some Colt coral for free once. Pretty cool stuff.

fishrule101

I'm thinking the 2nd choose is better. Is this a good chose? What is better kent or c-balance?? I think that the kent starter kit will come with small bottles, but it does contain lots of suppments. Which is better?? I need your opoin. Feel free to comment.

fishrule101

Is there any kind of coral that does not need as much supplements like lps and sps. Do polyps need as much? I'm trying to get some corals, but I don't have the supplements. Should I wait until I get the supplements?I use reef crystals. I'm planning on getting C-Balance. Also my LFS haves a coral for $15!! Which I think is pretty cheap for a coral. Its about 2-3inches tall. Not sure what it is, but it looks like a tree coral and it looks like this.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...640&pcatid=640