Begginer Coral?

[Dantitan]

What are some good Begginer Corals? I know that my wife and I like the Hammer Coral and Frogspawn Coral, and our LFS has a Yellow Crater that we REALLY like? Also I was wondering what tests that I have to have in order to keep corals. At the moment I can test for PH, Alk, Calcium, Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonia, and Phosphates.

 

[coolhandgoose]

I think a hammer or frogspawn would be fine, zoas and mushrooms are good beginner corals as well. Generally the easiest are soft or LPS that don't need feeding just good light, then you move up to ones that need feeding.

 

[Bifferwine]

You have all the tests you need to keep most corals. Hammers and frogspanws are great to start with.

 

[Dantitan]

Do you know anything about the Yellow Crater?

 

[yote]

Dont forget leathers.

 

[Bifferwine]

Do you know anything about the Yellow Crater?

Is it a pagoda coral? I'm not familiar with yellow crater.

 

[Dantitan]

Is it a pagoda coral? I'm not familiar with yellow crater.

No, its not a pagoda. It is more of a stoney coral I believe. It is kind of orangey pink and has very small yellow polyps. I will find out from my LFS, exactly what it is. The name that I gave you may be wrong. I am just trying to go off of memory.

 

[Bifferwine]

It could be a chalice or a montipora. Google those -- does it look anything like those?

 

[Dantitan]

I can't find anything that looks like it. I will stop by there tommorrow and take a pic of it with my phone, then post it on here.

 

[Bifferwine]

Okay cool. I'm sure we'll be able to figure it out.

 

[BL1]

The crater coral is a Leptastrea

 

[Dantitan]

We found a picture of one here. I found it in a book that I have been reading. It is a type of Crater Coral. It is actually called a Golden Turbinaria or Scroll Coral. The book says that they are "challenging", but I also read a recent book that said Moorish Idols will do fine if offered ample supplys of algae.


Turbinaria sp. "Scroll Coral" - Large | LPS Coral | Corals | Aquarium Livestock - ThatPetPlace.com

 

[BL1]

Those are different then crater corals, Leptastrea sp. "Crater Coral" | LPS Coral | Corals | Aquarium Livestock - ThatPetPlace.com They look slightly similar though

 

[Bifferwine]

I have a leptastrea. They are easy. Same requirements as any other LPS.

I've never had a turbinaria though.

 

[Bifferwine]

I have a leptastrea. They are easy. Same requirements as any other LPS.

I've never had a turbinaria though. A more accurate resource for looking up livestock info is www.liveaquaria.com.

 

[Dantitan]

Those are different then crater corals, Leptastrea sp. "Crater Coral" | LPS Coral | Corals | Aquarium Livestock - ThatPetPlace.com They look slightly similar though

Yeah, the book that I got the info from said they are similar to each other. It may not have ment that they were in the same family. I will have to look again. The one at the LFS is a rather large piece ( about 10" x 4-5"). It looks SO much nicer in person than the link I gave shows. :D