New to coral questions.

raising or lowering corals? i would first leave it in the sand when u get it, and over the course of a few weeks bring it up higher to the place you want to keep it unless the coral doesnt like much light

 

Well how do I know if the coral doesn't like the light?

 

Anyone?

 

Initally you will not see any polyp extention ( PE ), next tissue receeding or complete loss of tissue, for LPS.

SPS diminished PE or absent, bleaching not initially and tissue loss.

Soft corals, again PE issues, detaching from plug or substrates, melting.

 

Before you buy a coral, research it. Liveaquaria gives a vague answer to how the placement, lighting, and flow that a coral needs. Here's a small key:
LPS: not much flow, average lighting, mostly bottom placement.
SPS: high lighting(high placement?) and strong flow.
SOFTIES: somewhere in the middle.

 

So how would I mix LPS and SPS. Like if one needs strong flow and the other doesn't?

 

Yes you can mix them.

If you want a tank dominated by sps you may have a problem with large soft corals such as leathers as they release a toxin and in a small tank it takes it's toll.

In my tank I have all three with inverts, sponges, gorgonians.

Placement becomes important secondary to the defense mechanism of corals. They can sting and kill each other quickly.

 

O ok thanks a lot

 

NP

If you are into books The Reef Aquarium Volumns 1, 2 and 3, are great books. Some dated material but very good none the less.