Tubastrea (Sun Coral)

[almostdiva]

Anybody keep these? They're non-photosynthetic ,so they don't care what you light the tank with. Anthony Calfo has a great feeding method described in his book. They are also pretty spiffy looking, IMO....

I'm looking for something I can keep in a moderately lit tank (2X65 watt 50/50 PC lighting and a 5 in DSB). Thinking that until the IT market picks up that I am going to have to stick w my current/listed above lighting at least through the 3rd Quarter of this year.

Anybody have other recomendations of what I can keep in these conditions?

MUCH thanks as usual...

Rebecca

[tendar]

You say that you have a dual 65 watt pc lighting. Are the bulbs side by side or they one on each end of the tank. If they are side byb side you can keep several different corals if they are split with one over each end of the tnak it wil really limit what you keep most mushrooms and that sort then.

[steveweast]

Sun corals require no light; however, they do require lots of food. I moved mine to my refugium where I can more easily feed it. If you feed every couple of days, you'll have great success...it's amazing how much these corals can eat. Here's mine:

[almostdiva]

That is a beautiful piece! Thanks so much for posting. I know about the feeding requirements. Did you get it at an LFS or online? Harbor Aquatics used to carry, but I have not seen them listed from most of the e-tailers.

Do your polyps stay open like that all the time? I've read that if they are well-fed, they stay open, even when it's not meal time.

Beautiful coral!!

[kevinpo]

Very nice Steve! Can they be fragged? I've never tried them before because of access issues. But I think putting them in a refugium is a great idea.

Regards,
Kevin

[steveweast]

I got mine over a year ago from a LFS. I like to see what I'm getting. My sun coral opens and closes throughout the day; but, is always open at night and will open anytime that food hits the water. I just feed the fish and the sun coral will be open within 30 minutes or so...and then I feed him. I'm sure these could be fragged...but, it seems like it might be difficult without destroying several polyps.

[almostdiva]

I'm almost postive Anthony Calfo tells you how to frag them in his "Book of Coral Propagation" -- he has a 3-4 page section on this group. The book is at home. I'll look tonight if you don't have it in your library.

[kevinpo]

One of the few I don't have. I've heard good things about it.
Note to self :get this book

Thanks,
Kevin

[almostdiva]

An EXCELLENT resource. TONS of text -- the book is like 350 pgs and there are about 4 pgs of photos. Not a lot of pics, but TONS of info. Detailed discussions of just about every coral species within softies, LPS and SPS (and how to prop them... ), plus some really freaky ideas for tank layouts and LR aquascaping.

Also a very good section on refugia/mangroves/algae scrubbers, etc. You can get it online (signed) at Calfo's site which is http://www.readingtrees.com or at That Fish Place (if they still have them). Or through a bunch of other sites.

You should get it -- you would like it I think!
Rebecca

[Reefland]

It is a great book, written by a great guy! You can also pick it up through Reefland/Amazon, get free shipping and help support our site!
http://reefland.com/bookstore.htm

Regards,

[almostdiva]

EVEN BETTER!

Still have to look this up in BOCP, but here's an excerpt from one of my other references:

"They reproduce by releasing free-swimming planula larvae into the water and the adult usually dies shortly thereafter. The larvae swim around in the aquarium for 2 to 4 days, then settle down on a suitable surface. After a few months, numerous lentil-sized miniature colonies are an indicator of successful reproduction."

Pretty freaky, eh?

Rebecca

[EastCoastClams]

Here is a pic of mine taken after lights out. It is fully extended to feed. Great coral and easy to keep as long as you are willing to feed it.



Rob