Tips on starting a reef tank?

clownfishmama

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I swear this is like the third post I sent today about this and got no response.. I have a fluval flex fifteen gallon and I'm looking to start a reef tank what lights should I get what corals should I avoid and what ones are the best?
 

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I swear this is like the third post I sent today about this and got no response.. I have a fluval flex fifteen gallon and I'm looking to start a reef tank what lights should I get what corals should I avoid and what ones are the best?
I can’t help on lights but I can tell you about a few corals I started with.

Sinularia Leather - hardy and grows at a good rate

zinia - hardy and very fast at growing

Duncan - I have a few and they have all done great and are easy

Zoas - for me they have been easy to keep but not the best growth

GSP/ Green star polyp - fast grower and easy to keep

I think those are a few good staters but I would stay away from sps for now and maybe torches/hammers
 

kevgib67

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I swear this is like the third post I sent today about this and got no response.. I have a fluval flex fifteen gallon and I'm looking to start a reef tank what lights should I get what corals should I avoid and what ones are the best?
Sorry I’m not an equipment guy but lights will be determined by what you want to put in your tank. Softies low light, lps moderate light and sps high light. Do yourself a favor and start with live rock. You can start with less demanding sot corals, gsp ( on their own island), zoas, mushrooms or leather corals. As things stabilize easier lps, candy cane, duncans and blastos. Later easier sps birdsnest and monti caps. These are just a few examples. Good luck!
 
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clownfishmama

clownfishmama

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can I start with a nem? and do you know corals that look like this?
Screenshot 2024-06-03 10.23.47 AM.png
5254804.jpeg

Sinularia Leather - hardy and grows at a good rate

zinia - hardy and very fast at growing

Duncan - I have a few and they have all done great and are easy

Zoas - for me they have been easy to keep but not the best growth

GSP/ Green star polyp - fast grower and easy to keep

I think those are a few good staters but I would stay away from sps for now and maybe torches/hammers
 

WalkerLovesTheOcean

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can I start with a nem? and do you know corals that look like this?
Screenshot 2024-06-03 10.23.47 AM.png
5254804.jpeg
Don't put in an anemone until the 6-12 month mark.

I am not aware of any corals that look like that.
 

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can I start with a nem? and do you know corals that look like this?
Screenshot 2024-06-03 10.23.47 AM.png
5254804.jpeg
I would wait a few months to get an anemone. Maybe 3 months at the least.

In the first picture they kinda look like toadstool leathers.

In the second picture idk. But I would not add that fake stuff
 

kevgib67

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can I start with a nem? and do you know corals that look like this?
Screenshot 2024-06-03 10.23.47 AM.png
5254804.jpeg
Nems would be a ways down the road they need a very stable tank which takes a while to achieve. A rock flower anemone could be added sooner.
 

WalkerLovesTheOcean

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Also is something like a powerhead necessary? I don't want the corals to get shredded
Corals won't get shredded, only anemones can if they walk into it. Yes, you most likely will need a powerhead.
 

kevgib67

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Also is something like a powerhead necessary? I don't want the corals to get shredded
Yes you’ll need one pointed towards the surface to cause agitation for proper gas exchange. Corals need flow but have different requirements, do your research.
 

kevgib67

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What exactly does the powerhead do? Sorry if I have so many questions I've had a FOWLR tank since June last year is it too late for corals?
No as long as it’s inhabitants are reef safe.
 
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clownfishmama

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Nems would be a ways down the road they need a very stable tank which takes a while to achieve. A rock flower anemone could be added sooner.
Is at least a year stable? The tank was even growing purple algae until I did a deep cleaning I don't like that kind of stuff in my tanks it gives me the ick
 
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I would wait a few months to get an anemone. Maybe 3 months at the least.

In the first picture they kinda look like toadstool leathers.

In the second picture idk. But I would not add that fake stuff
I don't like the fake stuff either the picture of the clownfish are mine, I really like how it goes with my tank though so I really want a real version of it.
 

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Is at least a year stable? The tank was even growing purple algae until I did a deep cleaning I don't like that kind of stuff in my tanks it gives me the ick
The purple algae is good.
 

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