Carnation Coral Care

[Keoki18]

If you ever attempt to keep this species again, it would be a good idea to culture a live food and/or blend up food for it to eat. I have a few carnations that are thriving. I feed them live naups (24hr), rotifers, copepods, and blended krill/clam.

The trick is to have small enough food for it to eat, and feeding plenty (I feed 4x a day).
Because of these requirements, many people shy from this awesome species.

And as mentioned, you usually want to keep these guys in a NPS exclusive tank. Feeding that much food also spike the PO4 and NO2. not really desired.

Don't be discouraged though! If you ever want to set up a NPS tank in the future you will love it! really rewarding.

 

[anthonys51]

Just curious. How long have you had yours. Has it grown much

 

[GorillaSmack]

@keo-- How do you control you PO4 and NO2.. water changes..?

 

[Keoki18]

I have 3 species of carnations right now. All have been living in the system for about 7 to 8 months with great color and feeding response. I have not seen much growth in two of them (Deep red species), but my orange has increased in size about 25% since first purchase.

Water changes are done twice a week on this system. I also carbon dose with vinegar to control PO4 and NO2. the kicker here is that my NO2 levels are nearly 0, which means the carbon dosing doesn't do much in the way of removing PO4 unless I dose nitrogen.

You will always have moderate levels of PO4 and NO2 (varying from different NPS keepers) but it doesn't harm the dendros.

I will also say that a LARGE sump for the display is key, and having a fuge to pull PO4 helps immensely.

 

[GorillaSmack]

@KEO - Thanks for the input. sux but im gonna have to step away from that specimen for now. .. My Kenya Tree is looking nice.. almost resembles a carnation.

 

[GorillaSmack]

just wanted to update everyone. although not as elegant.. I did get a Kenya Tree.. and she loves the biocube !

 

[GorillaSmack]

[/IMG]