Nice Soft Corals

Ok...I am ready to add some soft corals to my tank, just need your help on what kind/ones to get.

I like flowy things in the currents with vibrant colors along with anything else that looks nice! Is Xenia considered soft coral, hard or easy to keep?

Any suggestions?

Also are there any good sites for your suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Frogspawn, clove polyps, Duncans and xenias

 

Xenia does well in some systems, not so well in others. I've heard it does best in "dirty" tanks, whatever that means, but mine is growing well. It can become a problem and alot of ppl consider it a weed coral.
Another waving 'weed' is Anthilia or waving hand. I have that too.
GSP flows well in the current but isn't that tall.
Kenya trees are get big and bushy but again are considered by some to be a nuisance.
That's a few of the soft, easy to keep 'flowing' corals I have in my tank. Maybe give you an idea of some types to look at.

 

green star polyps, xenia, green leather corals, yellow polyps, zoanthids, mushrooms are all good

 

Cool, thanks....I will look into all those and see what ones to order.
Are they best to get through the mail?

 

A lot of people have told me to stay away from green star polyps and xenia because they will take over your tank like weeds. But they are easy to keep.

My first additions were zoas and a hairy mushroom - and they are all thriving. The hairy mushroom is low and "flat" but it has "hairs" that flow in the current. Mine is neon green and I love it!

Here's an example of xenias getting out of control: http://www.3reef.com/forums/coral/operation-sayonara-xenias-86588.html

 

wow they grow fast....its kinda cool to have it grow at such a great rate!

But what methods do you or can you use to control it?

 

Don't put Xenia Elongata (the brown stuff) in your tank. It is a weed, and a noxious one at that. Under the right conditions it will completely take over and is a pain to control. It also puts out a nasty toxin when you take it out of the tank. In my 180 I used to get physically ill when I'd harvest it. The pink pom pom grows slower and is ok to have.

Green star polyp is different. I actually like it. While it grows quickly and can take over, it is far less insidious than Xenia. Xenia will grow both up and out, both blocking light from other coral AND sliming over them. GSP only does the latter. GSP is also easier to cull. It is a rubbery mat that can easily be cut with a razer. It is fairly easy to keep them in check by putting them on a separate rock in the sand.

 

+1 I was ripping that stuff out by the handful and giving it away for free when I had it. The pink pom pom is much nicer looking and, like you mentioned, much slower to grow.

 

LOL When good Xenia go bad....