Gorgonion

[tattooedlife]

I just purchased a Gorgonion. I was told by my LFS (Which has been very helpful.) it was proable best placed on the bottom of my tank, but could be placed bottom to mid level in the tank. Any one have any suggestions about Gorgonions? My lighting consist of 2 50/50 40 watt, full spectrum 40 watt, and actinic 40 watt. Would this coral prefer being mid tank, to gain a little brighter lighting?

 

[sod]

chances are that it is not photosynethic but if it is dull color it is photosynethic i have mine twards the bottem of the tank and they sem happy so expariment
[This message has been edited by sod (edited 04-24-2000).]

 

[clayton]

I have yet to hear of a Gorgonian (Sea Fan) being kept alive for any length of time in captivity. Let me know if anyone else has.

 

[tattooedlife]

A Gorgonian is not a sea fan!!! They look nothing a-like.

 

[clayton]

Originally posted by Tattooedlife:
A Gorgonian is not a sea fan!!! They look nothing a-like.
Sea Fans ARE Gorgonians ie Gorgonia flabellum, and Gorgonia Ventalina. Not all Gorgonians have the same morphology as Sea Fans ie the Sea Whip, which is very closely related.

 

[sod]

my gorgonian red sea fan came in good two mondays ago and it was in great shape and at my lfs they have had 5 red sea fans living sience november when i first went there all you have to do is keep a moderate current on them and add photoplayton or microvert but right now i have 5 types of gorgonian silver, purple ribbon, red sea fan, lg poylp, and i think it is a caudlebra

 

[halide]

I've had a purple sea blade for over a year now and have done newmerous cuttings and is doing great it is photosythic but also needs some feeding.It's placed in med current and med light I feed flake food and frozen baby brine.

 

[clayton]

Originally posted by sod:
my gorgonian red sea fan came in good two mondays ago and it was in great shape and at my lfs they have had 5 red sea fans living sience november when i first went there all you have to do is keep a moderate current on them and add photoplayton or microvert but right now i have 5 types of gorgonian silver, purple ribbon, red sea fan, lg poylp, and i think it is a caudlebra
Cool!! By the way, whats photoplyton and microvert? Is it a liquid food? (I have never heard of these in the U.K). What lights have you got on your tank? Is there much in the red end of the spectrum? Have any parts of the sea fan receeded or is it growing? I would be interested to know more!

 

[sod]

well it hasnt receeded or grown to what i see and it is a little soon to see if it is doing good. i just have regural 2x20watt bulbs one daylight and blue light and i keep them all in a good current with the sea fan in the high current. it took the fan about 6 days to show its white polyps and it took about another 3 days to open fully. they will eat live brine shrimp or some liquid supliment. the best thing about gorgonians is most dont need intence light to thrive and at the sametime they look good. what types do you have avable in the uk.

 

[clayton]

The only Gorgonians I have realy seen for sale here are the red sea fans. I have previously worked in the aquatic industry for years as well as at the public aquariums. It seems that we are far behind the USA in the available technology in the retail shops. For example even the biggest stores do not stock VHO tubes and the starters, you have to specialy order them. There is also no sale of 'living sand' or 'living rock' filtration systems. Most people do not even know what they are.
The U.K has put a ban on the import of all hard coral species. This was due to mounting pressure due to the state of the worlds reefs (although a very few pieces slip through).
Anyway, I hope your gorgonian does great, watch out for the nuiscence algae, thats what finished mine off in the end!

 

[sod]

have you ever tried to go to germany or one of the other countries for live rock or sand you could go from london to frankfort in i think 6 hours it might cost more that we pay but the rock is just as good a coral to watch at night. you could probally also could get a coral or two in. i have to compliment your transit system there in europe it is the best. i was in switzerland in 98 and you could go anywhere for under a hundred and get there i under 6 hours.

 

[clayton]

Originally posted by sod:
have you ever tried to go to germany or one of the other countries for live rock or sand you could go from london to frankfort in i think 6 hours it might cost more that we pay but the rock is just as good a coral to watch at night. you could probally also could get a coral or two in. i have to compliment your transit system there in europe it is the best. i was in switzerland in 98 and you could go anywhere for under a hundred and get there i under 6 hours.
Not a bad idea but I have already spent £2000+ on my reef tank, I think my gilfriend would have something to say if I started ****** to Germany for my supplies!!
We can get Figi living rock at around £180 for a box (about 40lb), but living sand is not available. It is also the new technology that seems to be slow to arrive (see new post on living sand/rock filtration).

 

[sod]

i know i my self have had a fish tank sience i was born. so i had about 15.5 years of experience with freshwater and about half year with salt. i started my tank as a quaritine for my older brothers tank and i up graded to my 29 that was filled with newts. all i have on my tank is two 20watt lights a wet/dry filter, aanomina filter, two duettos and a power head but still i have spent about 500 dollars. i spent the majority of my money on the live rock 7.99lb to 5.99 lb. well if you cant get something in the uk tell your girlfriend that you are going on vacation to germany and on the way back you could pick up goodies.j/k but it is a good idea