Stocking limits on fish, what about corals?

[carey]

So of course stocking fish has its limits based on tank size, but what about corals? I don't have my fish yet, have been waiting patiently for my two black clowns to get in so I have been stocking corals.

I bought an anenome a few weeks ago and each week thereafter I have bought two corals for a total of 4. LOL

I test and have the store test before I make my purchase to make sure my water is still stable. So far no issues that a pwc couldn't fix. ( ro water now and no phosphates)

So bring me your knowledge, I'm quite hungry today.

 

[austinsdad]

No fish in the tank yet? Done cycling? Are you adding a pinch of food for an ammonia source now and then? If there's nothing in there creating waste/ammonia, you should be.

 

[carey]

Yep a pinch of fish food here and there. The anem leaves behind a nasty little mess after feeding so I figured that was helping too.

I also have 10 hermits and 10 snails.

 

[joy13]

The most basic rule to stocking corals is to give them plenty of room. Some might not have stingers like the galaxia coral but will expel slim that is like a poison to other corals. I have actually seen a ricordia try to get a mushroom, I thought it was the water current pushing it towards it and irritating the mushroom but when we turned to flow off it was still turning the mushroom. I would have never believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes. I noticed my ducans do better far away from any coral. SPS don't need as much room between them as most soft and LPS.

 

[carey]

I've set up my rocks so that everyone has a bunch of room. Some I wnat to expand and cover certain rocks. The anem hasn't moved spots since I got him so I guess he will be staying where he is, hopefully he should be a non issue.

So spacing out my purchases is also a good idea? I kinda figured it was like fish, add some let it shake out and if all is ok continue on.

I also have to admit I don't know which corals are which really.LPS, SPS stony...... I'm really, really trying though. I pester the poor people at the fish store and on here constantly.

Thanks for the input guys, waiting for people to wake up and get online! I want a nice large information pool on this one since my main thing is corals and not fish.

 

[JonathanMars]

What size is your tank

 

[carey]

It's only 29 so far. Looking to upgrade already lol

 

[JonathanMars]

Biocube??

 

[carey]

Nope a standard 29 tank. Running 30" quad t5's total 96 watts. Have 48 lbs of LR and 31 of live sand. No fish yet as i said before. Trying to get a feel for how much i really can put in there coral wise.

thanks

 

[thincat]

It is a good idea to keep a distance of ~6" between LPS and softcorals. They put out feeler (stinger) tentacles that can reach out and sting other corals.

 

[JonathanMars]

Oh cool.I have a bc29. I'm trying to figure out about the coral stocking yoo ha I have one turbo snail in my tank..that's it haha

 

[carey]

I've been placing them at least 6 inches or more from each other. Part of my problem is I dont which are lps and which are soft. They really need a corals for dummies book cause I certainly need it! hehe

 

[carey]

I probably should mention the 4 I do have. i have a brain, green star polyps, hammer and zooanthids. And like I said a small cuc and an antisocial anemone

 

[austinsdad]

Eric Borneman's book "Corals" is one I enjoy and still refer to from time to time. Amazon.com: Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History (0681290087485): Eric H. Borneman, J. E. N. Veron: Books

 

[carey]

Very cool. i added a copy to my cart and hopefully will buy it sooner than later.

 

[joy13]

This is a good book as well Amazon.com: A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species (9781890087661): Ronald L. Shimek: Books I take it on all my shopping trips just because so much of the corals can be mislabeled.

 

[carey]

Sweet! That one I think I'll get first. It's half the price and looks to be what I need when i go shopping

Thanks so much!