[SeaBiscuit]

some of the users at Reef Central felt it necessary to call me irresponsible and stupid for buying a coral I didn't know anything about. I'm hoping there are a nicer bunch of folks here that are willing to help so that I can care for this coral properly. It's some kind of Tree Coral, I think.

[Mikeman]

Were usually pretty cool folks at reefland.....don't worry

Is there anyway you can get any pics? Those would really help. Do you have any basic info on your tank(lights, how big, how much live rock, dsb or cc or plenum, current inhabitants)

You say its a tree coral so I guess its a softy, usually most softies are easy to care for, just keep it in moderate lights, slow to medium current,

does it look like this?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ode=Softcorals

or this

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ode=Softcorals

and if those don't look like it, go through the leathers and the other softies on that page and see if any look simlar to yours

hope this helps!

keep us updated

[Elmo18]

I'm going to be bias and say I like the more laid back atmosphere of this bulletin board

Nice people here.

-Elmo

[Mikeman]

well i looked at the reefcentral post and they are right you have a Dendronephthya...

a very difficult coral to keep; best thing to do would be to blast it with phytoplankton about everyday...

[scubadude]

Hi Seabiscuit

Welcome to RL!

Dendro's are very hard to keep, but as mike suggested feed it live phyto and it may be ok....You might wanna consider setting up a live phyto culture station if you are really attached to this coral, they are easy and inexpensive to setup.

[SeaBiscuit]

Hey, Thanks guys. I guess my attachment didn't make it, I'll try again.

[SeaBiscuit]

Thanks again guys, Scuba, Any leads on instructions for the phyto culture station?

[SeaBiscuit]

Mikeman, I have a 90 gallon tank, 6" dsb. 2, 110 watt actinic vho's. 1, 400 watt 20,000k metal halide. 20 gallon sump. Lifereef skimmer. HOB mechanical filter. Yellow Tang, Naso Tang, Royal Gramma, Domino Damsel, 3 Blue Chromis, Watchman Goby, Firefish, and a Maroon Clownfish. Several Soft corals, LPS, and Inverts. Tanks been up for 4 months now. Parameters are good. I feed twice a day, and Phyto Plankton once a day. Iodine and Stonium are added weekly.

[SeaBiscuit]

Here's a closer pic

[scubadude]

Originally posted by SeaBiscuit
Thanks again guys, Scuba, Any leads on instructions for the phyto culture station?

Sure...If you have access to Joyce Wilkersons book on clownfish it has a very indepth setup explanation of Phyto, Rotifers, and Brine cultureing and how to do it yourself OR you can check out Flame Angels page at

http://www.sjwilson.net/reef/

[Reefland]

Commonly called a Carnation Coral, they typically do not fair well in captivity due to feeding. As mentioned, the best bet is to try lots of phytoplankton (but not too much ). I had one in the past which faired very well for several months until I had to move a long distance and it didn't make it. In fact, the one I had even dropped a branch which growed nicely until the move.

Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your stay at Reefland,
Scott Z.

[Mikeman]

Nice aquascaping, i like the 2 towers with the little bridge

[SCETT316]

Hi:
Your setup is so cool. I really like the way you have it arranged. Good luck with your new coral.

[SeaBiscuit]

Thanks to all, for your help. I'm going to set up the phytoplankton culture station, asap. I'm sure this will benefit the entire tank.

[newreefman1]

Hmm. Im not sure if that is dendronepthia although is resembles it. It really looks like a neo spongodes. If there are calcium spicules running up and down the stalks, then it most likely is in which case, it is photosynthetic and I believe also can take some feedings but very small items like daphnia, napulii and possibly some phyto(but I dont know about this).

Check for white lines running up and down the stalks and a general firmness if you were to squeeze it gently.
I have a few pieces of red neo spongodes in my tank and every piece has done great even grown a few new stalks.

J

[reefhead]

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...der=descending


there are 59 threads at RC referring to Carnation Corals. Since they are NOT photosynthetic, they will need constant feeding---a little more than our tanks can handle. good luck. The members at RC are a little jumpy; however, the point they where trying to reach is a good one in that you should always know what your getting into with the purchase of a animal.

cheers,
Joe

[newreefman1]

im still telling ya...I dont think its a dendro...look for the spicules. I bet its neospongodes.

[Reefland]

In your experience, do the neo spongodes you mention fair better in captivity or are they similar enough to not have a difference?

The corals are absolutely beautiful and as with others over the years, will one day be able to thrive in captivity; it's just a matter of providing the right environment and care.

Scott Z.

[SeaBiscuit]

NewReefMan, Here's another pic. The coral stalk is somewhat firm, like...., a human muscle not tightened. Best I can explain it.

[SeaBiscuit]

Here's another one, out of the tank. The polyps are "bristlely" almost sandpaper like.