Getting started with corals

[drumbeat]

I'm pretty new to the whole coral thing and I've been doing a ton of reading to get up to speed. My plan is to take it super slow and start with just softies and LPS. I've got a 90 gallon tank that's just begging for some coral action, and I'm hoping to start adding some in the next couple of weeks. I've got a few questions to get started:

- What's the deal with "weed" corals - what does that even mean?
- Can someone give me an example of what type of corals are considered "weed" corals?
- What are some easy, colorful corals that are good for a newbie like me?
- When I start adding corals, is it best to just add one at a time and wait a few weeks before adding more?
- Do I need to do a dip for all corals, or just certain types?
- If I do need to do a dip, what's a good one to buy?
- Any tips or advice from experienced coral keepers would be super appreciated.

[rusticore]

You're probably going to get many differing opinions on this, but here are my thoughts. I'll start by saying that "weed" corals are essentially corals that can thrive regardless of how well you care for them. They're like those pesky plants in your garden that just won't quit. I once planted Forget Me Nots, thinking they'd be a great addition to my garden, but boy was I wrong. They spread like wildfire and were nearly impossible to get rid of. That's what I consider a weed, and it's no different with corals. Examples of "weed" corals include xenia, clove polyps, green star polyps, and certain zoanthids that are often referred to as "ugly brown zoas." These corals can spread quickly and be difficult to eradicate.

Now, I know some folks recommend these "weed" corals as great starter corals because they're hard to kill. However, I'd advise against it. Just because you can't kill them doesn't mean you should buy them. Research your corals thoroughly and only purchase the ones you really want to look at. Don't buy corals just because they're easy to care for; buy them because you love the way they look.

When it comes to adding corals to your tank, you can add as many as you want at once. Corals don't add bioload like fish do, but it's still a good idea to take it slow. This way, you can limit your potential losses if your water quality isn't as good as you thought.

As for dipping, some people swear by it, while others don't bother. I personally don't dip my corals, but I do trust my sources. Your mileage may vary, so it's up to you to decide what works best for you.

My final piece of advice is to research all your purchases before buying. Don't buy a coral and then wonder where to place it. Make sure your tank can support what you're buying, and you'll be much happier in the long run.

[EmmyJay]

I completely agree with rusticore's advice. It's definitely worth considering mushrooms, ricordea, or lobos for their vibrant coloration. Additionally, you might want to look into torch or hammer corals - there are many variations to choose from, so it's essential to research and find the ones that suit your taste. I also think feather dusters and coco worms can add a nice touch to your tank.

[drumbeat]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I really appreciate all the advice and opinions from experienced folks like yourselves. I'll definitely do my research before making any purchases, just want to make sure I'm making informed decisions for my tank.

[FableRyde]

You're probably going to get many differing opinions on this, but here are my thoughts. I'll start by saying that "weed" corals are essentially corals that can thrive regardless of how well you care for them. They're like those pesky plants in your garden that just won't quit. I once planted Forget Me Nots, thinking they'd be a great addition to my garden, but boy was I wrong. They spread like wildfire and were nearly impossible to get rid of. That's what I consider a weed, and it's no different with corals. Examples of "weed" corals include xenia, clove polyps, green star polyps, and certain zoanthids that are often referred to as "ugly brown zoas." These corals can spread quickly and be difficult to eradicate.

Now, I know some folks recommend these "weed" corals as great starter corals because they're hard to kill. However, I'd advise against it. Just because you can't kill them doesn't mean you should buy them. Research your corals thoroughly and only purchase the ones you really want to look at. Don't buy corals just because they're easy to care for; buy them because you love the way they look.

When it comes to adding corals to your tank, you can add as many as you want at once. Corals don't add bioload like fish do, but it's still a good idea to take it slow. This way, you can limit your potential losses if your water quality isn't as good as you thought.

As for dipping, some people swear by it, while others don't bother. I personally don't dip my corals, but I do trust my sources. Your mileage may vary, so it's up to you to decide what works best for you.

My final piece of advice is to research all your purchases before buying. Don't buy a coral and then wonder where to place it. Make sure your tank can support what you're buying, and you'll be much happier in the long run.

+1 Euphyllia are pretty cool, and can be quite forgiving in less-than-ideal conditions, but on the flip side, they can also be super unforgiving.

[daxil]

I've had great experiences with Acans, they're definitely one of my favorite LPS corals. They're pretty resilient and can bounce back from a rough spot - I've seen them recover from almost nothing. They don't require a lot of light to thrive, although they'll definitely look more vibrant with better lighting.

[craftyx]

+2 on rusticore's advice, I think it's really valuable. Researching your corals before buying is key, and I'd like to add that understanding alleopathy is also important, especially when it comes to soft corals competing with other corals biochemically. This is something I wish I had known more about before I started adding corals to my tank.

[fleeton]

When it comes to hammers, frogspawn, or octospawn, make sure you're looking at the branching types.

[drumbeat]

You're probably going to get many differing opinions on this, but here are my thoughts. I'll start by saying that "weed" corals are essentially corals that can thrive regardless of how well you care for them. They're like those pesky plants in your garden that just won't quit. I once planted Forget Me Nots, thinking they'd be a great addition to my garden, but boy was I wrong. They spread like wildfire and were nearly impossible to get rid of. That's what I consider a weed, and it's no different with corals. Examples of "weed" corals include xenia, clove polyps, green star polyps, and certain zoanthids that are often referred to as "ugly brown zoas." These corals can spread quickly and be difficult to eradicate.

Now, I know some folks recommend these "weed" corals as great starter corals because they're hard to kill. However, I'd advise against it. Just because you can't kill them doesn't mean you should buy them. Research your corals thoroughly and only purchase the ones you really want to look at. Don't buy corals just because they're easy to care for; buy them because you love the way they look.

When it comes to adding corals to your tank, you can add as many as you want at once. Corals don't add bioload like fish do, but it's still a good idea to take it slow. This way, you can limit your potential losses if your water quality isn't as good as you thought.

As for dipping, some people swear by it, while others don't bother. I personally don't dip my corals, but I do trust my sources. Your mileage may vary, so it's up to you to decide what works best for you.

My final piece of advice is to research all your purchases before buying. Don't buy a coral and then wonder where to place it. Make sure your tank can support what you're buying, and you'll be much happier in the long run.

Thanks for the tip, it's got me rethinking my whole approach and I'm actually reconsidering my initial plan to avoid a heavy softie tank.

[Risky]

In addition to alleopathy, you should also look into the concept of 'coral wars'. Some LPS corals have sweeper tentacles that can grow quite long and cause damage to other corals within their reach. If you decide to get a 'weed' coral, consider isolating it on a separate rock formation, rather than integrating it into your main structure. This way, if the coral starts to spread too much, you can simply trim back the growing edges or replace it later on. This is especially true for encroaching corals like kenya trees, which are notorious for dropping branches everywhere. Personally, I've always been a fan of mushrooms and green star polyps - xenia, on the other hand, have never seemed to thrive under my care. When selecting a coral, try to opt for one with a visible 'mouth' or multiple mouths, as this will allow you to feed it larger meaty items like mysis shrimp. By the way, drumbeat, what's the current state of your tank? Do you have any fish that might be potential coral predators? Some species are known to be obligate corallivores, while others will simply eat any coral they come across.