Cabbage Coral and Kenya Tree

[Mania25]

A friend of mine is breaking down his tank and he has given me a Cabbage Coral and a Kenya Tree. They are both in great condition and they are being drip acclimated as I type so will be put in my tank in the next half hour or so. I've never kept either one of these corals before and I've been doing some research and it states that they are semi aggressive. I have a toadstool and a few other soft coral such as polyps and zoas and a bit of Xenia, I also have a bubble tip anemone. My question is will they be ok with these other corals as I've read they both give off toxins into the water. I don't want them to kill my other corals so I'm a bit worried now. Plus I don't have loads of space in my tank as it's a kent marine 94l.
Thanks.

 

[BleuFish]

Should be fine with other softies. Could start running carbon on the tank to get rid of the toxins if it becomes an issue

 

[Mania25]

I already run carbon so should be fine then

 

[jayball]

I already run carbon so should be fine then

Yeah, the only other thing you really have to worry about is the Kenyan tree self propagating too much.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Yep the Kenya Tree is the coral you only buy once LOL. You can start fragging them if you want to, but I just take whatever falls off for it's self propagation and throw it away. Otherwise you will be overrun with them.

 

[Mania25]

Are the sellable do you think or should I just throw them away like you do.

I've placed them in my tank now. They are quite close to other corals so will see how I get on. Here is a pic.

 

[urbanrat84]

Just make sure the Kenya tree can't touch the leathers. I find that if they rub against other soft corals they can cause damage to the tissue of the leathers - its goes hard and chalky.

 

[Mania25]

Cabbage Coral and Kenya Tree

I've come home today and my toadstool has fully contracted as has my cabbage coral. As you can see from the pic compared to yesterday. I think I may need a move around. My toadstool doesn't sulk much as is usually always out and the cabbage coral was fully open too. The Kenya Tree is still limp but expected that still. Do you think I should move them now or leave them a few days?

 

[DrewGriffin]

I have found my cabbage coral to be the canary in the mine coral. If it is shrunken and not shedding mucus I check my parameters. I would place the Kenya tree on the bottom back left side.

 

[Mania25]

I got home from work today and the cabbage coral has fully expanded. He seems to be doing well now I've moved the mushroom out the way, also the Kenya tree has started to pick up too. I'll see how I get on over the next few days then might move the Kenya tree as you suggested.

 

[Mania25]

Ok just a quick update. Cabbage and Kenya Tree have come into their own now and look happy were they are as you can see from the pics. I'm going to move my toadstool though.

 

[Mock]

Thats not a kenya tree....... Thats a type of finger leather.

 

[Mania25]

Oh ok. The man in the shop told me it was a Kenya Tree. I still like it though even if it's not lol.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Thats not a kenya tree....... Thats a type of finger leather.

LOL I was just going through this thread and said where is this Kenya tree he keeps talking about LOL

Agreed its a finger leather not a Kenya Tree.

 

[Mania25]

Lol sorry guys. I was misinformed by the shop. I'll have a look at some research about finger corals now. I'm guessing they're just as hardy?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Yes they are. They also like "dirty" water rich in nutrients. Most LPS and leathers will thrive in this environment but SPS will not. It's a very hard balance to be able to have all three thrive in the same tank. But I'm still working on it.

 

[Mania25]

My readings are good apart from the nitrate which is 30 - 45 but I'm not too worried about that as my corals are doing great and everything in the tank looks healthy.

 

[bbowler1]

don't let the nitrates get higher, that seems high to me and a dirty tank to me is around 15-25 never more for corals, JMO.

 

[Mock]

don't let the nitrates get higher, that seems high to me and a dirty tank to me is around 15-25 never more for corals, JMO.

Soft corals can tolerate some nasty water..... Its when fish are involved does it become a problem over 20