Need ideas on what can live here

X.

This spot is the highest spot I have so it will get the most light from my T5's.

It's also exposed for water changes. There is about 6-8 inches of space from top of rock to water line. Gets moderate flow.


I'm not going to put any more coral in for several weeks, but I want to have some ideas on what I can start researching.

Because of the location, this is a spot where I won't mind feeding (I can do it without removing the lights).

So I'm looking for ideas. Something that can tolerate being exposed to air every few months and that will really appreciate the closeness to the lights.

Maybe a birds nest? Maybe... Ideas?


I also have a buddy offering me one of these frags (only orange) for $5.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Picture%2029%20-%20Montipora%20digitata%201.jpg

 

tough one it is such a small point. What about a monipora frag.

 

Get a nice colorful SPS of some sort.

 

When I look at corals at the online stores - they don't say whether or not the coral can tolerate being out of the water periodically... so that's a big point I'm trying to figure out.

What can survive being exposed to air? Any SPS? Any Monti?

 

Many sps corals are naturally exposed to air during low tides so it's a safe bet that you could put a variety of sps corals in that spot and not have to worry about them dying. The slime that many sps corals produce when stressed or exposed to air acts as a sunscreen

 

Excellent! I will look into SPS.


Because I only have 6-8 inches of vertical room... are there certain families that will tend to stay within that space? I can always cut them down, but I wouldn't want them look like they were scalped.

 

Try a plating or encrusting type of montipora or a tabling acropora which tend to grow outward more than upward.

 

Those are pretty (looking on vividaquarium).

My last question for today on this - to either side of this spot is a Torch and a Bubble. As they get bigger, I expect their sweepers might get in this area.


Would this be a problem for SPS (encrusting monti in particular)?

 

Yes. You might want to consider moving the lps corals.

 

Encrusting would be the way to go with montipora. The other kinds would reduce lighting too much for corals that you may want to place below. GL can't wait to see what you decide.