Coral Selection

So, I was considering my stock list for corals. I already have the tank stocked with everything else I want (coral banded shrimp, fish, snails, etc.) because I'm new to saltwater and figured that would be a better way to start than with an Acropora.

I started by getting a torch about a month ago, which is definitely doing well. It's fully inflated during the day, it seems to mostly deflate at night, and it eats random food that it grabs when I feed the fish gel or frozen mysis.

So, then I wanted to get a open and a closed brain, so I did. I got a Goniastrea, and a Trachyphyllia (it's red and green). The Trachy extended feeders on the second night (I think, if that's what the 2-3 rows of 2-3 mm long, skinny "bumps" around the rim of it where it changes color are). I think it has grabbed food during normal fish feedings, as a couple days ago, I saw it expel a large amount of purple stuff that has nearly the same exact texture as the gel food I feed (it was about the same size as the biggest chunk, too), except it was purple instead of the pinkish color. Is there anything else that it would expel that might look like that?

Now, in the past 2 days, the Trachy hasn't expanded to the size it did a couple days ago. During the day, it expanded to about 2x its normal size, but the last 2 days it's only inflated a small amount beyond its skeleton.

Could this be due to an interaction (chemical) between the Trachy and either of the other corals? I know that the Trachy is far outside of the Torch's sweeper range (it's more than a foot away), and I haven't seen any sweepers from the Goniastrea, or any spot damage on the Trachy that would imply sweepers were involved.

Here's some pics for the pic factor ;D




This one is to show the placement of the corals, and of course most of the fish decided to make cameos:

To give a frame of reference: the frame of this pic is about 1 foot 4 inches wide, and the Kole is approx. 4 inches.

 

I don't think it could be a chemical attack between corals. They do like to play tricks on you occasionally. they will deflate for a couple days to replace their water than go right back to normal. They also tend to do this while acclimating, so it could just be that. Corals also take some time to acclimate to your lighting, so that could also be playing a part. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but just to be sure what are your parameters?

 

Tonight is measurement night anyway, so I'll be posting the new ones. As of 3/16 @ midnight EST (about 12 hours before a 25% water change): Salinity 1.025, pH 8.2, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0.1, Nitrates 7.5, Phosphate 0.1, Calcium 400, Alk 2.2 meq (approx 6.2 dkh). I took a magnesium level like 2 days ago, and wasn't fully awesome with the syringe (Now I understand about the learning curve with those titration tests), but it was 1200 +-40, so it's in the ballpark. The nitrites is likely because of the new additions, they were only in for 2 days before I took the readings.

 

Ah, might a magnesium level of ~1000 and calcium of ~375 be a culprit in this? That's what I got off of the test kits tonight, and that seems like an excessive drop for 2 days.

Other measurements: 8.2 pH, 0 Ammonia, 0.1 Nitrites, 10 Nitrates, 01 Phosphate, 2.4 meq Alk (~6.7 dkh).

 

need to raise your mag, cal, alk and in that order.. 1350, 450, 10dkh..keep your nitrates 0-10ppm and then your ready for sps.. sps will demand cal and alk more than other corals you have..

birdsnet & pocillopora are good/easy sps corals for your first ones..