would a reef expert enlignten me please

[theclemsonkid]

I finally got my T5 VHO lights in and I am ready to get going on a few softies. I picked up a frag of some mystery coral, and already I See some stuff happening.
At first, it was just a little blob, and after just a few hours, little "sprouts" starting popping up. What I thought was funny was how they can retract, and then pop out again!
Are all corals like this is their infancy?
I always saw corals as growing, but very, very slowly. I didn't realize they actually could expand and retract in a matter of moments!
If anyone knows any good links for the basic characteristics of growing corals, I would love to read up on it!
thanks a ton
-Jonathan

 

[shrimpi]

can you post a pic?
every coral is unique and there are different groups of corals.. like 'softy', 'large polyp stony', 'small polyp stony' etc.
they all have different characteristics and care

 

[thomas712]

A pic would be best.
We do try hard not to LINK to other sites, or post this of an advertising nature here.
Sounds like your mystery coral is simply sending out some sweeper tentacles or something to filter feed the water.
Thomas

 

[120reefer]

Like shrimpi stated, all corals are unique, unfortunately I don't know of a site or a book on growing corals, but with t-5's you can keep pretty much anything given a high enough wattage. There are tons of guys on this site keeping even clams with HO T-5s. As for your softies, they will thrive with T-5s even with lower wattage. Personally I like all corals, but don't have any softies... maybe it's time to break out the credit card for me

Good luck with everything, and like Shrimpi said.. lets see some pics!!

 

[theclemsonkid]

I unfortunately dont have a camera to get pics up. When I asked the guy who my wife got it from, he said it was some sort of encrusting "insert name here" coral. It started with a "G", but sadly that's all I can remember.
Basically it looks like a purplish-pink mold that has little xenia's coming out of it. When I was at the store a few days ago, all the little "branches" were out and waving in the water. Then today when I was in there, they were all closed up and back in the mold. But you could see the little holes where they retract to.
So whatever THAT is, would be the little frag we aquired

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by TheClemsonKid
http:///forum/post/2542155
I unfortunately dont have a camera to get pics up. When I asked the guy who my wife got it from, he said it was some sort of encrusting "insert name here" coral. It started with a "G", but sadly that's all I can remember.
Basically it looks like a purplish-pink mold that has little xenia's coming out of it. When I was at the store a few days ago, all the little "branches" were out and waving in the water. Then today when I was in there, they were all closed up and back in the mold. But you could see the little holes where they retract to.
So whatever THAT is, would be the little frag we aquired

Was it an encrusting Goniopora? If so, that's a more difficult LPS coral and I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner. That's about the only encrusting one I can think of that starts with a G, and yes, they do sorta look like a xenia. Do a google search and see if the pics that come up look like what you have. If they do, read up on it, but just know that it is difficult to keep.

 

[theclemsonkid]

Nope, it's not that thankfully. Well thankfully since it's hard to keep

I will call the place tomorrow and ask him exactly what it is, that way I can stop shooting in the dark here!
Speaking of xenias, are they pretty easy to keep? And should I expect them to grow pretty fast?

 

[alix2.0]

yes and yes, xenia is a weed.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by TheClemsonKid
http:///forum/post/2542189
Nope, it's not that thankfully. Well thankfully since it's hard to keep

I will call the place tomorrow and ask him exactly what it is, that way I can stop shooting in the dark here!
Speaking of xenias, are they pretty easy to keep? And should I expect them to grow pretty fast?
They grow like weeds. And they tend to like less pristine water (ie: nitrates). You may want to hold off on that one unless you're 100% sure you want to keep them long term, because once they start, you'll have a tough time getting them out of the tank.

 

[theclemsonkid]

Well I do like them, and wouldn't mind a rock full or smallish colony of them. But I mean I certainly don't want them taking over my tank!
I assume once they start to get big, I can always take a razor to them and give them away (or even sell) as frags?

 

[alix2.0]

yep. i chop mine up all the time. you might even be able to sell them to LFS since they dont ship too well.

 

[sh00tist]

Pretty sure you have some green star polyps. They have a pinkish mat that they retract into at night or if they are disturbed for some reason. Give them a few days and if your water is good they will start coming out and eventually grow like weeds,I keep mine exclusively on the glass. They will tolerate any lighting as well as any amount of flow provided they do at least have a little bit of flow over them. If they do start taking off keep a close eye on them or they will take over your tank.

 

[afboundguy]

I got a good chuckle out of the title for this thread... "experts wanted" I think noone is an expert in reef tanks... we're all learning... but is sure is a fun learning adventure

 

[theclemsonkid]

So I figured out what frag I picked up. It is a encrusting gorgonian.
How is that as far as corals go?
So for right now, my first two frags are a xenia stem and an encrusting gorgonian!
Any info on either would be very helpful!
Thanks
J

 

[coralreefer]

hardy coral