What are some suggested corals for a beginning reefer?

[georgeortiz]

After my tank has cycled what would be the best specimens to acquire gradually as a beginning reef enthusiast. I only have Marine FO tank experience so your input is appreciated. I have heard leathers are easy but, the rest is still up for debate.
Here is what I will be running: 110 gallon tank 22" deep, 110 lbs live / base rock,500 watts mh lighting,160 watts actinic/50 50, skimmer,20 gallon fuge,20 gallon sump,950 gph return pump,corner overflow box.

[brewercm]

Zoos, polyps, xenia.
I can probably set you up with some pulsing xenia if you'd like when you are ready. Beware, it grows like weeks.

[prof]

Keep the fish to a minimum. They create the most waste.

I would try any frag that you can get a hold of. Just read up on them when you get them and place them accordingly.

I agree with brewercm, zoos, polyps, xenia. Then move to the leathers, colts, euphylias(hammer, frogspawn).

How long has the 'reef' system been running?

[TAXMAN]

Thats funny, My Zoo's are hardly opening and my Leather, Frogspawn and Ricordia are doing awsome. The zoo's are the only thing I have troubles with makeing them happy. I wonder why?

[adaminaustin]

Mushrooms are a great starter coral as well.

[eleyan]

Mushrooms are a great starter coral as well.I agree, mushrooms are really easy, when I got started converting my FO to reef, I got a couple of LR pices from Aquatek that had some mushrooms and button polyps on them. I did not have much light (50/50 regular flor.) and I did not have clean water (they were in my 110G with a 3 foot eel and a bunch of triggers and tangs) and they were doing just fine. I wouldn't recomend this setup for many other corals though.

[georgeortiz]

I have not started cycling the tank yet. I will probably have everything set and going in a couple of weeks. However, I have been doing my research for some time and have seen various opinions on what are the best to start off with.
I have tried to plan my setup in order to give me the flexibility to successfully keep different specimens but, the question has always been what to keep and what are the requirements to keep them. Asking questions at the LFS's in town is not alot of help but, these forums are of great assistance.

[wkopplin]

Aquatic Warehouse and CB Pets are both good stores that will take the time to help you out. I started my first reef tank with mishrooms and a colt coral. I then added a leather and some zoos and some star polyps. Just add everything slowly and you should be in good shape.

[Yano]

xenia are great, mine has almost double in since I got him, which was a few weeks ago under 28 watts of PC lighting. :-D