SPS - First Coral?

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First Coral?

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: SPS
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions SPS corals.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11
Printed Date: January 13 2026 at 10:33am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: First Coral?

Posted By: Guests
Subject: First Coral?
Date Posted: July 19 2002 at 6:23pm

What might be the best choice for my first coral? I know someone else who has the same question.

Replies:

Posted By: Flaz
Date Posted: July 21 2002 at 8:52pm

Xenia. Most members will give you some for free (including me).

Posted By: Ryan Willden
Date Posted: July 22 2002 at 7:43am

Woods Polyps, Mushrooms, Xenia like Flaz said... They are all pretty hardy IMHO. Xenia can grow like a weed if you let it, or you can keep it trimmed. It was my first coral as well, and I wanted it to fill in to make my tank look nicer, but now I regret letting it get away from me as much as I have. If you want a beautiful Xenia, that's easier to control, go with Silver Tipped Xenia. It tends to have shorter polyp extensions.

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: July 22 2002 at 9:16pm

What do I need for keeping xenia? Lights? Other things?

Posted By: Ryan Willden
Date Posted: July 23 2002 at 6:59am

You can keep Xenia with fairly basic lighting. I have a friend that keeps Xenia really well in a 55 gallon with 3 40 Watt Normal Output flourescents. You'll also want to start feeding them "filter feeder foods" such as Phytoplex by Kent, or some other form of "live" food. Rotifers is also another excellent source of food from what I hear, but I have yet to try it.

The most important thing for Xenia I have found is to dose with Lugol's Solution. It's an Iodine supplement. 2 Drops per 40 Gallons, I believe. Read the directions on the bottle for an accurate dosing.

Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: August 08 2002 at 3:36pm

Cowfish- what do you want to keep? I would check to see what type of lighting you have, before getting your first coral. But xenia and mushrooms are the most common starter corals

Adam