Feeding new corals

[FishWife]

Last night we got some great live rock from Hung for a very new tank and it has some lovely Zoanthids (yellow, I think they are parazoanthus gracillis). Since our tank is new, what can we do to keep them alive, food wise? They are in a refugium with sand, some cheato (two weeks old) and low flow and low light... ? The water has been aerating and heated, etc. for days... the sand is all settled, but sterile.

 

Also on the rocks is a mushroom and some kind of leafy coral... gray/blue... looks like small Romaine lettuce leafs.

 

Any way we can keep these guys alive as our tank cycles and matures?

Edited September 19, 2007 by FishWife

[WallyBackm]

Aside from non-photosynthetic corals, most people don't find a need to feed corals. As long as you have some decent lights over the zoas they should be ok food-wise.

[FishWife]

Aside from non-photosynthetic corals, most people don't find a need to feed corals. As long as you have some decent lights over the zoas they should be ok food-wise.

 

Cool... would three PCs be "decent" enough for a week or so?

[jnguyen4007]

Be careful with the low lighting. Depending on the corals, but I think most of those that rely on photosynthesis to produce food need to have moderate to strong lighting to survive. The rocks you got from Hung went straight from a live tank to yours? If so, then you shouldn't worry about die offs and dangerous ammonia spike. With that said, it should be safe for you to leave your corals in the same tank as your rocks.

 

James

[treesprite]

congrats on the first corals

[lanman]

In all likelihood, if your water parameters are okay in the tank - and everything is running in the system (flow, skimmer, lights) -just drop the rocks in there. a) the sand won't be 'sterile' for long - there's worms in them rocks, even if you don't see them. Little starfish and all kinds of other stuff as well. b) If you don't have a bunch of die-off, you won't really have much of a cycle; just keep your eye on the numbers. 'Cycling' the tank isn't always necessary - especially if you use 'experienced' rocks. None of the corals you just got are particularly rare and valuable - worth taking a chance to get the tank running. The corals you mentioned are also pretty hardy - they will take a beating and keep on growing.

 

bob

[bk_market]

The shrooms should be fine. And like Bob said. Those rocks are fill with worms and starfish and tiny snails. They should be fine because I pull them straight out from my tank the night before you pick up. All those coral are hardy anyway. There is also a rock with a neon green mushroom that is really nice. Under the right light it will glow. Enjoy :D

[jason the filter freak]

They'll look awesome under your new lights

[FishWife]

They'll look awesome under your new lights

 

Ahem, yes. Jason, when should we plan to pick up the lights, etc.?

 

Right now we have them under a PC. Also, we know about the worms and critters; that's what we're doing right now. Stocking the refugium with critters while we plumb closed loops on our bow 80.

 

QUESTION for you all: how do microcrustacians and shrimp larvae, etc. get to the refugium to start populating it? On rocks, too?

 

Treesprite: thanks! We are fascinated. Can't remember having this much fun since we first had kids... 27 years ago... sigh.

 

But then, our first granddaughter is due Nov. 8, so the tank better enjoy the attention while it has it!

[Caribbean Jake]

Do you have a picture of the rocks with the corals you mentioned? I can help you identify the corals.

[zotzer]

We are fascinated. Can't remember having this much fun since we first had kids... 27 years ago... sigh.

 

 

Well, I've never had kids, so maybe that's why I can't imagine them being more fun. LOL

 

Enjoy! I swear...I can't watch a TV show all the way through anymore. I just keep staring at the tank!

 

Tracy