To Coral or not to Coral?????

I know not to rush things when it comes to stocking a new tank. But how long should I wait before trying to add a few LPS frags, Polyps, or Ricordia. My LFS is haveing a big sale and I don't want to miss it.

My tank has been running for almost 2 months now and my levels have been stable the last 3 weeks.

40G Breeder tank, 4x 39w t5 lights, 29G sump/refuge

PH-8.4
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0

Also, what else should be testing for?

 

whats you lighting and flow. you also need alk calc and mag

 

Be double sure your alk calc and mag are right..
What type of salt did you start with..?
If your salt was more for fish then corals, you going to have to build it up some..
I found that out.....

Go SLOW with starting with corals, till you get the hang of it..
Even tho your water, and lights are right.. Not to many to start with..
Tho's sound like good starter corals..

Good Luck, Larry

 

Like other's have said, you are going to want to start testing alk, ca, and mg. I would also be testing for PO4.
But you are pretty much set! Go have fun at the sale!

 

I started with salt water from my LFS and have used Red Sea salt combined with distilled water. I will pick up some more test kits tomarro and check my alk, calc, and mag. Thanks for the tip.

I was planning on trying to add one new frag every two weeks. But only softies for now. Once I get better at the whole coral thing, and establish my tank more, I will step up to SPS.

 

You should be fine for a starter coral or two, but make sure you have ample water movement. If you have done a water change or two, your alk, calc and mag should be close enough to levels to sustain corals. As others have said, though, it wouldn't hurt to check these levels and begin to develop the skills to maintain them.

Good luck!

 

I will defenetly check my other levels tomarro after I buy a kit. What would the proper levels be? What is exceptible and what should I be worried about?

I just emailed a guy on craigs list that is selling a 8 head Armor of God Zoanthid for $40 So I will see if he replies, he lives pretty close to me.

 

Frogspawn is another good starter coral. In fact, it was my first frag. I put in a single head about eight months ago and now it's four heads. Would have grown faster under better lighting. So I had to go out and get another eight head (well, now nine----one split already) because I love them so much. Highly recommended the frogspawn are.....and easy to take care of.

 

thanks farmer, I will see what my LFS has on sale tomarro when I get my test kits

 

whats a good low light coral I could put in. There are a few shaded spots under my overhang on the left that I would like to put something?

Anyone ever ordered anything from this site?
http://www.vividaquariums.com/default.asp
It is only like a hour drive from me. So I may haft to go check out there shop.