No light or very low light corals?

[chet-tonja]

I have a 44 pentagon that is pretty much going to be fish only. I have a sun coral that will be moved from another tank to this one and some mushrooms too. There will be minimal light with only 40 watts and sunlight in the morning and early afternoon. Thanks for any suggestions!

[scubadude]

I would check into non photosynthetic corals such as some gorgonian species....I believe diodorgorgia (sp?)

[organicreefer]

Scleronephthya (sp) or cauliflower coral (usually pink or orange) is one of my favorite non photosynthetic softies.pretty decent survival rate, provided with strong currents and feedings of dt's and baby brine.

[TooFar2Sea]

I bought an orange coral I thought was a softie, but turned out to be a carnation coral. Most posts seem to say its doomed. Is this the coral you are recommending? What can I do with mine, other than continue to feed DTs and hang it upside down in a good current?

[organicreefer]

hmmm,sounds like you are talking about a starwberry coral,or Dendronephthya ,and it is a non photosynthetic softie......

any chance of posting a pic?anyway,these corals are mysteriously difficult to keep,much like goniopora....
sounds like youre doing the right stuff,feed it at night, as often as possible(everyday)and maybe try some baby brine as well.
take my advice with a grain of salt,i too have a dendro,and its on the decline....i wont buy another.

[Reefland]

Obviously the thing to remember with non-photosynthetic corals is feed, feed and feed some more. The low survival rate with Carnation corals is basically due to a lack of nutrition, and knowledge as to what they really require. I have had fair success with them in the past with steady feedings of phytoplankton but will most likely avoid them in the future.

Good luck,
Scott Z.