Coral Selection Help?

[dghall]

I have a 55G tank with the following:

1.) 95 lbs LR
2.) 40 lbs LS
3.) 60 lbs Argonite Sand
4.) IceCap 660 w/2VHO (1 Aquasun, 1 Acentic) 1NO(50/50)~285W
5.) 1 False Percula Pair
6.) 1 Pearly Jawfish
7.) 1 Regal Tang
8.) 2 Cleaner Shrimp
9.) Assorted Inverts (Hermits/Snails) ~ 40

I want to start adding corals and anenomes but I'm not sure which ones to get. I'm fairly new to the hobby, but would not consider myself a TOTAL novice. So, what corals (hard or soft) and anenomes would look best? Which are easiest to keep? Which are lease dangerous to the fish inhabitants? Which will the Percula pair most easily accept as a host? Any and all advice is welcome and thanked in advance.

Dave

[toddgack]

A lot of it would depend on how long your tank has been up and running. I'd start with var. mushrooms, and zooanthid polyps. Most of the leathers are okay, for young tanks. Hammer/Torch/Frogspawn are good starting LPS. Any of the turbinaria's are good as well. It really just depends on what you like. I'd stay away from SPS, unless you can keep them in the top 4 inches of the tank.

As far as a suitable host anemone for percs, mine live in a sebae anemone. BubbleTip anemones are generally considered the best host for percs.

HTH,

tg

[tyoberg]

Colt coral is a good one to start with--lots of different colors, grows fast, looks good! I also like my green toadstool.

Polyps, mushrooms and xenia are also cool and very hardy, IME, but keep in mind that they will multiply relatively quickly and can become troublesome.

Stay away from any coral that isn't photosynthetic--their feeding requirements can be overly demanding.

I like LPS corals, but they usually aren't captive bred; I've only got 2 and don't plan on getting any more. I was considering an anchor/hammer coral but opted for a bubble coral instead--it doesn't hog up nearly as much real estate with it's sweepers.

I don't like the idea of anenomes in my tank because I like my corals. Anenomes typically don't stay where you want them and will wonder when unhappy. Those stinging tenticles aren't kind to other corals. Plus, you should also cover your powerhead suctions to keep them safe when they get too close. Even if the anenome doesn't drive you nuts, clowns will not necessarily take to it--ever. I encourage you to enjoy your tank for 6 months to a year before you even consider buying one.

Here's a few samples of typical anenome problems:
URGENT!! (http://archive.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13112)
Need help!!!! Bad way to start the new (http://archive.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12121)
help with BTA (http://archive.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41455)
new anenome or new clowns? (http://archive.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39720)

Ty

[cvrle1]

One sugestion I have is to get rid or that regal tang. 55 gallon is too small for it and all the other fish that you have. It needs room to swim and it can't do that in such a small place especially with so much rock as well.

Just an idea though

:D