My new reef aquarium

sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So I've been ghost feeding and have two turbo snails in there to clean up a bit. However, it seems green algae is becoming a bit of a problem for my tank. I just did a 10 gallon water change on a 60 gallon tank. Planning to do another water change in the next few days. I also have been still dealing with dead spots so I went as far as having four... yes FOUR power heads in my tank. I used them on my 150 gallon so I believe two are Koralia 4's, and two are Koralia 1050's. Which is probably overkill for a tank my size, but I can't seem to avoid dead spots and it's taking a toll on the glass/rocks so I'm going to see if I can help settle things out and if it works I'll look at possibly removing one over the course of time. Sigh---
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So the time has come. I've been keeping on top of my water changes and have seen such a difference in the water quality compared to my 150 gallon. My green hair algae crept up on me in this 60 gallon tank and within a matter of two weeks the tank looks crystal clear after making sure all water going in was good and the water was going out when needed. I've decided to try my hand in coral now and have bought a Brain Coral. It cost me $25 and while I'm happy I bought it, I'm also wondering if I have a dying coral. I know the acclimation process will cause the coral to shrink up and over time it will flourish but is this a coral that is on its way out? Also, does anyone know what the exact brain it is that I purchased? I currently have it in the back of my tank but when I find my glue will probably move it to the front as this will be amazing to look at once it starts to spread.

 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So I did some research and found that I believe this is a Favites Pentagona. After acclimating it to the tank and let me LED's sit at 1% as to not shock it. The following day I placed my LED's to 20% and today to 40%. I've been feeding it Brightwell Aquatics Phytoplankton and just amazed to watch how it sucks in the food. I will likely be moving it to a rock close to the front of the tank as well for better viewing! Very excited for this as it seems like it's currently in great shape and enjoying the water. My next feeding will probably be today and I will be feeding it pellets. I'll also be recording the feeding and will likely throw it on YouTube as a sped up version of the feeding. This is a fascinating coral!
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So if anyone is checking this out and has some answers for me that would be great.
First question, I've been checking out the brain coral watching it eat. I stepped out for about 10/15 minutes and came back to see that a ton of its tentacles were very extended I'm thinking anywhere from one to two inches long. See attached image for further details. They're clear and difficult to see but the camera was able to snag about close to six of them although the actual amount extended are probably close to 15.


My question is -- would this be normal? I'm assuming it's probably reaching out to grab more food but don't want to make any assumptions. So anyone to confirm or deny this would be great.
Second question --
I just noticed at the base of my rock I found what may be another coral. It's pink with something like three white tips. It has follicles at the tips and around it as well (although difficult to see in the image) and seems to be catching food as well.It lives under a rock so the light doesn't hit it all that well and rearranging the rock is not possible at the time. Thoughts?
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
1. Yes you are correct. They are sweeper tentacles. Mine only extend about 1/4" but each is different. Keep all other corals at least that far away. They will sting each other.
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So, I've been back and forth as to where I want to place the Favia. I've decided to ultimately put it near the bottom of the tank as over time I will plan to get Anemone's and other light needy corals. Do you all think it being at the bottom of the tank will be a suitable place for it? I don't want it to bleach and the corals I plan to get later will need my LED's up to 80% I'm sure.
Also, the coral is currently on a plug. Can I pull it off and just attach it to the rock work, or would that kill it? I'm afraid I've been moving it too much --- so much so that the last move it put some of its slime onto my hand. So this next move -- if there is a next move will have to be its last.
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
It shouldn't kill the coral as long as you do not damage the soft tissue in the process. Getting some of the batural slime on your hands isn't going to hurt it. As long as your hands are clean also limit the amount of movement and touching. I have handled my brain about five to ten over the past three years. Set and forget it. LOL. mid to bottom should be fine for this coral. You can tell how the color reacts over a few weeks. If it dims raise it and if it looks good and is growing around the edges leave it alone.
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
I would not bother removing it from the plug. The tissue on LPS is so fragile that it really doesn't take much to damage it. You could just cut the stem off of the plug if it bothers you that much. Eventually, though, the coral will pretty much just grow around the frag plug and I have found that the little stem gives me something to hold on to when moving corals
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So maybe I'm just misunderstood with coral but will it eventually grow on to the rock that it's placed on?
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So I was fortunate enough to fine a fellow reefer on craigslist that was willing to sell me green birdsnest and about five polyps of lunar zoa's for $25. So I've since added them to my tank after letting them float for about two hours and adding tank water every thirty minutes or so. The zoa's look pretty neat, however, their size worries me, I'm going to have to shift my power heads a bit because the current is bouncing off the glass and slamming them. The birdsnest is wedged in between a cool looking rock maybe a little less than half way up the tank. Here's what it looks like so far. They're still acclimating so their polyps aren't opened up completely but still looks pretty awesome. Cheers!

 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///t/395326/my-new-reef-aquarium/40#post_3526446
I just noticed at the base of my rock I found what may be another coral. It's pink with something like three white tips. It has follicles at the tips and around it as well (although difficult to see in the image) and seems to be catching food as well.It lives under a rock so the light doesn't hit it all that well and rearranging the rock is not possible at the time. Thoughts?

I'm about 90% that it's aiptasia. A clearer pic would help confirm. It has folicles you say?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///t/395326/my-new-reef-aquarium/40#post_3526446
Second question --
I just noticed at the base of my rock I found what may be another coral. It's pink with something like three white tips. It has follicles at the tips and around it as well (although difficult to see in the image) and seems to be catching food as well.It lives under a rock so the light doesn't hit it all that well and rearranging the rock is not possible at the time. Thoughts?

Looks like an ahermatypic LPS to me. Astrangia or Hidden Cup Coral perhaps.
 
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