to return or not?

[mkinley17]

this is what it looks like this morning after lights nad just turned on.
I had a impulse buy last night, this flower pot coral really caught my eye. Its a really bright green almost day glow yellow. After I got home and did the research I'm scared, some say every hard to keep and some have had good luck. Should I go for it or return it?
The tank is about 2 1/2 years old mostly LPS and fish, LED lighting, 150 gals. I'm going to try to get up.

 

[flower]

Hi,
I had two flower pot corals in the same tank. I had my fish tank as a room divider back then (75g) They were on opposite sides of the rock work so that I had a flower pot coral to look at no matter what side of the room I was on. One did very well, and the other shriveled up and died. I ran carbon so there would be no issues with coral warfare...my tanks was heavily stocked with corals.
Back then I had no idea that they were considered hard to keep. The one was alive and doing very well for a while, and then the clown fish found it and decided it was theirs...the flowerpot couldn't stay open because the clowns wallowed in it constantly and it died of starvation. Nothing I could do for it...the clowns bothered it where it was happy, and it wasn't happy in another spot.
As long as the water flow is good, the lighting sufficient and plenty of food, it will be fine. if you see it not extending (hold it only by the bottom rock and avoid touching it) move it to another spot until you see it happy where it is. They don't like being handled or molested by fish. I squirted mine gently with a Coral Frenzy food when it was extended, and mine seemed to like being lower in the tank as opposed to being close to the lights....about midway down. It liked to gently flow in the water current.
I wouldn't take it back, it's a learning experience and you never know how well it will do in your tank until you try. It's a beautiful specimen...good luck with it.

 

[mkinley17]

Thanks for the reply, thats kind of what I was thinking also I got a really good deal for my LFS. I have traded a few thing over the years with him, and he loves the thing I being him they don't stay in the store long. I think some people make a bigger deal out of things than need be.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mkinley17 http:///t/394718/to-return-or-not#post_3513293
Thanks for the reply, thats kind of what I was thinking also I got a really good deal for my LFS. I have traded a few thing over the years with him, and he loves the thing I being him they don't stay in the store long. I think some people make a bigger deal out of things than need be.
It is a big deal to many people only because it so heartbreaking when a critter that should outlive a human life span, dies in our fish tank. They are beautiful sea creatures and it really bites to watch them die. LOL...corals don't die like a fish...they shrivel and shrink for many weeks before they finally die. That's why I kind of chuckle at the 14 day guarantee...it takes at least a full month for a coral to bite the dust.
If your tank is keeping LPS corals healthy, you should be able to keep a flower pot coral. Everyones tank is different, some are great for soft corals only, and some do great with the SPS and LPS. We don't know until we try. I do recommend running carbon to keep the chemical warfare down. Always make sure any corals like the bubble or Galaxy that has tentacles that come out at night, can't reach the other corals around it...always be aware of the which way the water current flows because the more aggressive corals should be "downwind" so to speak.
Happy reefing!!!

 

[mkinley17]

Sounds good, I have a BRS gfo reactor and have been running gfo but not seeing really any improvements. I have not been running carbon guess its time to try it sound like from your expertise, maybe I better before I have problems.
I'm Happy for sure thats the only way to be.