STARTER LPS & SPS Corals - Newbie Tank Build

In this episode of our Newbie Tank Build series, we add corals to Jimmy's tank! Join us as we explain why we're adding corals to the tank so soon, and find out which LPS and SPS corals we chose for the tank. We'll also get Jimmy's thoughts on the new additions and hopes for future fish in his tank.
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[dusk]

I personally liked when Mark gave tips and highlights on each species. Finding tips on specific species is often challenging, and large amounts of information in the hobby is often geared towards fragging, or placing and growing frags. The volume of husbandry information on adult coral colonies is still sparse.

Like this video showed, most new and intermediate hobbyist's experience coral through frags. Which don't exhibit the husbandry needs of adult colonies; and it takes years to learn them first hand waiting for it to grow out, only to lean you may have messed up when you placed it. Something as simple as discussing the common growth form, light demand, light effects on color, preferred flow, and specific tips (by individual species) would go along way. That information is out there, but not in an easy to access format. To have someone with Mark's experience ramble off tips for adult colonies by species is a great area of content to explore.

Just spit balling... Keep up the nice series and best of luck with the new tank.

[marksfishtank]

I wish I didn't wait for four years to get my first coral after I got three I am now hooked

[Eadsziedoesit]

Biota was just on tank talk with tian. Was a great interview.

[somdreef]

Tank game strong, T-shirt game even stronger. 😊

[janellechew]

Blue tang = ich for me😢 wiped out my fish. I'm at the same point that you are except i ran into an auction and bought 30 new corals. I can't wait until i can get more fish. Waiting for the ich to die out of my tank and my 5 fish that i have left to make sure they are all free from it. They look good at this time. I was very impatient like you but i acted on it and regret it so bad. Hang in there! You are doing great!!

[lisafoster]

Lovin' the look, there, dude! A hippo should ideally be in something no less than 4' long; I've forgotten how large yours is, but it looks all right for that. :)

[oureefing]

Jimmy your living art work is starting to really take shape

[josephranno]

I recently transferred my 75 gallon into a Prostar 200 Black. I used all of my substrate, live rock and added additional rock and live substrate. So far so good, but you're right, I feel like it's empty. So I added some addition fish and about 6 new corals. I also had some corals in the love rock I transferred. Most of them lived and thrived but I lost a few. That was to be expected though so I'm ok with that. Your tank looks great. Yes, be patient and let the coral grow, but also, keep adding small frags every couple weeks. That will not upset the tank as much as if you continue adding fish. Enjoy the ride! Thanks for the videos, I enjoy them very much!

[Jeff.Slavich]

This is a great series. Plenty of fantastic information, but kept fun. Some other channels also provide great info, but I feel like I have to be a biologist to get it. Well done!

[dylanwiningersieve]

I’m obsessed with this series. I’ve just gotten into reefing over the last 2 years. Made many mistakes. Happy to see you taking this super seriously and cautious. Keep up the great work!

[arramte]

So glad to finally be hearing this from professionals. I've always started my tanks with corals from day 1. Granted I used some established live rock and products like microbacter, and dr Tim's, and phytos. Never tested for ammonia.
In my experience aquacultured corals do great in brand new saltwater.
In the ocean corals arrive before fish.
They process nutrients which will help build balance and natural filtration. Protein skimming not even necessary. Use good source water, good salt.

[mikem]

My wife and I just got done cycling our Red Sea 525G2 and we have been loving your videos! Keep up the great work!

[josephranno]

Love your videos and the input from the pro!!!

[trevorhart]

I also set up my Prostar V2 150 this past January 2023. First Saltwater aquarium after burning out with Cichlids for the past 15yrs. I added 2 orbit R24 52w lights and 3 R24 90W lights. Maybe overkill idk but I'm going for a mixed reef SPS Dominant tank. Put 10 sticks in about 3 weeks ago and so far there doing OK even after I jumped the DKH from 8.0 to 10.1 in a week with BRS kalkwasser in the ATO for the first time. 1 Teaspoon to 1 gallon of RODI was wayyyy too much. anyways, looking good and keep it up. Time for some Tangs my friend. Biota yellows are a must.

[josgraha]

you guys are awesome, thanks for sharing, totally relate to how you're feeling. hard to accept that reef keeping is all about patience and planning LOL

[markstover]

This really is a great series. I've been watching from the beginning. I'm in a very similar situation building out my first ever Reef Tank. I bought a RedSea 425 g2, so it's similar in size as yours. So far I've only got 2 clowns in the tank, but tomorrow I get a couple tangs. It's really hard to be patient, but so far so good. I spent a month waiting to turn on the lights, but they went on yesterday. I spent 7 years studying/learning and getting to the point where I was ready to purchase a tank, so I'm sure I can wait it out longer. Keep up the content!!

[suus]

Jimmy your enthousiasme is great to watch 😊, really enjoying the newbie build series, greetings from cloudy Scotland 👋

[adamleebmx]

I’ve been setting up my 120 as you release these. Watched each episode many times. Ive been waiting for this one to add some corals, love the series and the honest reaction of a new reefer throughout the process!

[stevenpavan]

I would suggest having you pumps pointed at the surface to reduce the surface scum. i've always liked waves at the surface of tanks. Cool glasses. :)

[christopherteer]

Love my pro clear cube, was easy to plumb and looks great. Love my 210 aqueon more tho lol. Happy reefing