Are these corals good for Nano/Beginner?

[Billdemart]

Hi Guys,

I am trying to do some research on what corals to get for my 10 gallon nano. This is my first tank so easier to keep is better for me.
Anyhow, these are the corals I like

Moon Coral
Brain Coral
Torch Coral (Frogspawn?)
Xenia
Green Star Polyps
Zooanthids
Hammer
Bubble

1) Do any/all of these flourish in Nanos?
2) Which of these are hardy which are not? (Would you recommend all or some for beginners?)
3) Which have the least maintenence (feeding, additives, etc.)

Tank specs

10 gallon 20" rectangle
96W Coralife Quad 50/50 hood
Rio 90 and Rio 50 powerheads
20 pounds Kaelini Live Rock
10 pounds Live Sand
Instant Ocean Salt Mix 1.023
50W Ebo Jagr heater (constant 80 degrees F)
PH 8.0
Alk 4.5
Calcium - 400


I also plan on keeping one or 2 fish eventually. A perc clown and some type of goby or blenny. Not sure yet. Small cleaning crew and maybe a Scarlet cleaner shrimp as well.


Thanks for passing the knowledge!!!!

Bill

[steve1s]

Nicely planned. 8)

I would stay clear of the LPS with long flowing tentacles like the bubble and the torch. They will take up alot of room in short time. When they expand many LPS corals will spread out to over 4x their original size. A small brain coral would be okay though, they have quite small sweepers that usually come out at night. The moon on the otherhand has very long nightime sweepers and placement should be considered carefully. Anything too close and they will eat each other. :)

The polyps and sometimes Xenia can be very low maintenance, but when they are happy multply like rabbits. That can be a good thing though as they can easily be traded or sold to an LFS for credit. :wink:

Right now I have GSP, zoanthus and a cauliflower colt in a 3 litre nano doing great. Click the link in my sig line for a pic.

I would not recommend two fish for a 10g tank depending on max adult size. They will not likely get full size, but they will get close. If possible try sticking with 2 fish that do not get much more than 2" each or just one 4".

Is the rock and sand to be your main filtration?

Also make sure you keep the Ca level above the alk to maintain a proper balance. With a Ca of 400ppm alk should be closer to 3.75. Either that or raise the Ca level by 75ppm. In smaller tanks a simple water change is the easiest method of chem control and maintainig balance.

Best of luck...
Cheers
Steve

[Billdemart]

Thanks a ton.

Maybe I could stick to all soft corals except one small moon in the corner? I love moon corals!

Maybe the Moon, GSP, Xenia, and a Zoo?

ps -- I can't believe you have a 3/4 of a gallon reef tank. That so rules.

Thanks,

Bill

[RazerCorals]

I got a tiny 1/2 gallon nano, so hard to move stuff around in.

Personally I would start off with some Blue Mushrooms of some sort. Get a little blue into the mix. Then after oh say 2 weeks add a nice finger leather. Then get a red open brain. Then some flourescent green frogspawn.

[steve1s]

As I said the main concern will be limited space between corals and "growing" room and possible chemical warfare as they try to aquire that room. I find that a good quality carbon can be a big plus with small tank and corals. It will help remove the chemicals that corals release and keep trouble to a minimum.....

Also remember that soft corals can be just as noxious as LPS corals. Many come with defenses and can easily affect the health of the tank.

The ones you suggest would be fine. The moon brain just needs the appropriate space that's all. Before moving on to more difficult corals, make sure the tank has had some time to mature and the levels are stable as well as your routine. It will greatly improve your success rate.

Cheers
Steve

[phistio]

i have all the mentioned species in my 25, and i can say that placement for adequate room is somewhat of a challenge...

that being said, all of those LPS mentioned, are fairly hardy, but may not best be suited as "beginner" corals. though i do recommend that they are some of the first corals attempted by serious beginners. meaning, if you intend to focus on the the proper growth, care, and nutrition of the corals they are great corals to learn and study on.

[Billdemart]

Thanks all. Im thinking about starting with either Xenia or GSP and going from there....

Can you get small GSP anywhere? I don't want to pay 50 bucks for a huge coral.