Adding my 1st coral?

[DEL 707]

My 56l tank finished it's cycle just over 2 weeks ago. Next week, I was thinking about getting my 1st coral.
So far the only stock in the tank is a yellow clown goby, 1 red legged hermit and 1 nassirus snail.

I'm hitting the ugly phase, diatoms are spreading.

The coral I want to add is a GSP, thought I'd stick it on the rock that's isolated to the front/middle, to stop it spreading. But I have a few questions.

Is it too early, even for GSP? Ammonia and nitrite are 0. Nitrates are 10-20.
Are the diatoms going to be a problem? Should I avoid adding anything until they clear?
Can anyone recommend a good online shop in the UK? Unfortunately marine shops are few and far between in my area. Stock isn't too amazing when it comes to corals.
How do you acclimitise corals if they've been shipped by post? Do you still use the drip method?
What coral dip should I try?

 

[rhitee93]

It might be a bit early, but I did essentially the same thing.

I put a GSP frag on an isolated rock about a month after the first fish went in. It grew quite fast, and I cut it into 4 pieces just a couple of months later. I gave 3 of those away and glued the 4th to a bigger rock which is now completely covered.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I dip most all of my corals upon arrival but no need to drip acclimate.
I open the box, float the bags for 15 min or so while I prep a coral dip. And then dip them for 5 min and rinse in fresh saltwater and place them on the frag rack or wherever.

I say I dip most of my corals. If I buy from somewhere im dipping. The exception for me is I have few places I trust. I think the good outweighs the bad. There are 3 places I buy from I trust. Sometimes I get good micro brittle stars, or pods or whatever. I trust they send me the best they can and I know things may slip through but I also do not think it’s the end of the line if it does. I’d rather get those 3 suppliers good bacteria and hitchhikers than wipe them all out.

As for time. Well I personally feel like corals can go in immediately. Here’s the thing though. Ammonia and such is not the big problem but if your coming into an ugly stage or a problem, then that problem can out compete the coral and cover it with algae for example. Then the coral will have issues.

Also you’re going to be learning the tank. Lights flow etc. if your new, you may kill a few during the learning experience because they do not have the tank meeting their needs.

That’s why I believe experienced reefers can start almost immediately with corals while others can not. Gsp and softies in general are pretty hardy though. I’d try it personally.

 

[MoshJosh]

Yeah, generally I (and others) are going to recommend a few months before corals, that said many of us (myself included) have added corals earlier. I think it’s OK if you pick a hardy coral, know what “risks” come with hardy corals (they can take over a tank even with isolation), and continue to stay on top of parameters.

 

[DEL 707]

I've ordered my GSP.

I've got my AI Blade lights at 80% at the moment.
I'm going to turn the lights off for the 1st day, but after that, should I start ramping my lights up to 100%?

 

[DEL 707]

Corals turned up and it looks like I've got a hitch hiker.



I'm no expert but it looks like a bristleworm.
What do I do with it?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Corals turned up and it looks like I've got a hitch hiker.



I'm no expert but it looks like a bristleworm.
What do I do with it?

Some people will say they make good cuc, others will say get rid of them. I lean more into the boat of getting rid of them.

 

[DEL 707]

I can't say the coral is looking too good at the moment.

I've emailed the supplier and was told that maybe my lights are too bright or that my nitrate/phosphate are 0.
My lights are AI Blade Coral 21", I have the lights down to 80%.
I did a test on my nitrate the other nights and it come out to 5-10ppm. I don't have a phosphate kit.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[promotheus2070]

I can't say the coral is looking too good at the moment.

I've emailed the supplier and was told that maybe my lights are too bright or that my nitrate/phosphate are 0.
My lights are AI Blade Coral 21", I have the lights down to 80%.
I did a test on my nitrate the other nights and it come out to 5-10ppm. I don't have a phosphate kit.

What am I doing wrong?

for me that was normal the first days ... ill just wait it out