Soft coral first - zoanthids, mushrooms (Discosoma, Rhodactis), toadstool leather (Sarcophyton), green star polyps. Then hardy LPS - Trachyphyllia, Caulastrea (candy cane), Euphyllia parancora (hammer), acanthastrea. After 12 months, one easy SPS like Montipora capricornis. Avoid acropora, demanding goniopora, and anemones for the first year.
See our complete Best Beginner Reef Coral guide for the full step-by-step buying plan, placement strategy, and budget guidance.