Going from FOWLR to Mixed Reef HELP!

Ok so originally I was planning on going FOWLR but now I am leaning towards mixed reef... nothing crazy, just a few corals (Mushroom, polyps, other easy to take care of corals) to add some color to the tank besides the fish I will add.

Here is where you come in.

The tank is still cycling.. 72 gallon bow + 15 gallon sump. It is on day 16 right now, actual parameters can be given tonight once I get back home.

Long story short, I want a few "easy" to take care of corals in the tank. I have only been mesauring PH / Amonia / Nitrite / Nitrates so far.

I know I will have to bring up my salinity as it is around .022 right now. How high should I bring it up for these potentially easy corals to be happy? Right now I am using Instant Ocean Sea Salt, Do I need to switch to Reef Crystals or anything else or can I just bring it up by adding more salt in the tank as it is cycling?

As far as these beginner corals go, how much extra maintenanceis needed instead of a FOWLR? Sorry for the noob questions but I appreciate the help and would like to do it right. Will I need to be adding any additives or anything?


Also, should I start measuring Calc / Alk / etc starting now or wait until my cycle is complete. I am now using RODI water and have plans to get a Protein skimmer once the tank is done cycling.

Anything else I am forgetting?

I have what I believe is T5 lighting with 2 10K's and 2 Actnics but can verify.

 

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^^ what she said One thing to expound on is you'll want to know for sure what you have for lighting although what you want to keep doesn't need that much ....make sure your bulbs are fairly new - more than 7-8 months old, you should replace them. this will help prevent the growth of nuisance algae along with providing light for the corals. If you're like me, you'll start off thinking you only want to keep some basic softies but then those LPS sure look awesome, oh and zoas are so cute, ooooo...what kind of coral is that? - these statements will come out of your mouth at some point

 

Since your tank is still cycling, it's a good idea to lay out a plan of what fish you want to add & make sure they're reef safe. But zoas & mushrooms are easy care beginners & are usually colorful & green star polyps.

 

Easy corals, I recommend Kenya trees, Florida ricodia mushrooms, Pallys, Zoas, Green star polyps, and for LPS Hammer, and Acans. Are you going to get any cool inverts ?

 

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Thanks guys for all your help... any suggestions for fish that are reef safe / stocking list for a 72 gallon reef tank?

I know I will be getting 2 clowns
Maybe a wrasse, a flame angel, kole yellow eye tang, papuan toby puffer, Anthias, One Spot Foxface...

Not neccessary all, unless the load is fine.. but what do you suggest?

 

good luck with this tank. just to give you an idea my friend just set up a 75.

she went semi-aggressive with a medium sized 6-line wrasse, a small pair of white banded maroon clowns, and one smallish majestic angel and a school of blue/green chromis. Let me tell you, this tank looks SWEET

 

Guys Im honestly contemplating just keeping it FOWLR.. There are some fish I just would love to have.. something along the lines of this list:

2 Clowns, One Spot Fox face, Kole Eye Tang / Whitetail Bristletooth, Paupan Toby Puffer , Flame Angel, and Mystery Wrasse...

Might have issues with a reef system and having fox face / puffer / flame

 

The only one of that list that wouldn't work probably is the puffer - foxface and flame angel should be fine IMO.