OK, Im about to take the plung and add my first coral, need some advice...

[dustin]

After lots of reading, from this board and books and opinions and my own tank speaking to me, plus doing this the first time around and failing(algae etc). I am ready to invest about 50-60 bucks in a nice piece of coral. I have had the tank going for about 2 months now. 29 gallon, no fish, 20 lbs live sand, 30 lbs cured live rock, under JBJ's 2 55 watt 10,000k power compacts. One shrimp, a few polyps, and a red sea star. I have had 0 readings from day one.

So now the burning question, leather or brain coral. I have found that these two corals tend to be in the same category when grouped by difficulty in keeping. So any opinions for or against, or for something different for my first addition. I have been keeping tanks for about 15 years, but marine is new to me. So I dont consider myself a novice, but hands on experience I lack.

Thanks in advance....
Dustin T
Atlanta GA

[Doug1]

I have a fondness for leather corals and find them pretty forgiving. Brains are OK too but may want more light and usually live on the substrate, usually not much floor space in a 29g, thats why I wound up with a 75 (and no its still mot big enuff )

[dustin]

Interesting, So brains like to rest on the sand/substrate/floor of the tank? I have never heard this before. So unless I can offer some nice flat are on my live rock, and keep the brain happy with this space, it will physically move itself to the bottom, or what it thinks is the bottom/nice flat area?

[Alice]

To my knowledge, none of the brain corals are motile so it's going to stay where you put it. The fleshy-type brains, most often Trachyhyllia sp. can have a real problem with being on the rock work. If a bubble develops under the bottom side of the coral, it can cause problems. They are also easily damaged by falling off the rock work. I have a Platygyra sp., however, that has done very well up on the rocks under 440w of VHO in the recently dismantled 55.

As Doug said, Leathers are pretty forgiving, are easy to propagate and come in about a gazillion different forms. They do release a lot of toxins in the water that can bother other corals but as long as you do regular water changes and use a good skimmer, it shouldn't be a problem you can't deal with easily.

~Alice

[FishDaddy]

Hi Dustin,
One of the Finger Corals, Sinularia spp., would be a nice first coral. They are relatively easy to care for; frags grow fast; and should do well in your setup.

In addition, you might try some mushrooms. They come in many varieties and colors and would dress the tank nicely.
Dick

[ 07-13-2001: Message edited by: FishDaddy ]

[DennisW]

I just wanted to say that recently I have seen a lot of posts on various boards regarding leather corals and how they shed. Most of the posts are like; "My leather coral's dying!!!" or "I think my leather corals already dead!".

I think that owners of new leather corals need to understand that they do shrival up and turn a putrid grey sometimes for days or weeks. This dosent mean the coral is dead or dying. It usually comes back bigger and better! Just remember this when you put one in your tank. Dont worry or freak out.

With that said....I think a nice, yellow Figi leather would be nice. S. elagans(sp) I believe.

Good Luck!
Dennis

P.S: I wanna thank you and give you a pat on the back for taking it slow and researching. It goes a long ways in this hobby!!

[Drew]

Just one more vote to go with a leather. I love leathers they are really cool and easily propagated. Have fun!

Drew

[Rick O]

Hey Dustin,

I have some leather frags if you don't mind starting with something small. I also have green star polyps, yellow polyps, mushrooms, and pom pom xenia. All of these are pretty easy to keep.

Rick