Catalaphyllia jardinei in a seahorsetank?

[Lenen]

I went to my LFS and bought a coral without knowing anything about it. When I came home I started reading about it.

Well, no need to say that I regret buying it, but now I have it and I have to do whatever I can to make it work.

The coral in question is a Catalaphyllia jardinei. And no, I do not know if it is from Australia"¦ But it came from a well known distributor and it was expensive, so I hope it is from Australia. The guy at the LFS did not know its origin when I called him later.

I have to tanks, one with sps and strong water movement, 540liters, and my seahorsetank, 166l, with slow water movement.

The question is, can I keep this coral in my seahorsetank? Right now I keep it in my sps-tank but that is not a good place for it. Maybe someone will by it from me, but I do not think so. Returning it to the LFS is out of the question.

This is the second, and last time, I will by anything from my LFS without knowing anything about it first. Last time I came home with two clown gobies, not knowing that part of there diet is acropora polyps"¦

 

[Lenen]

I forgot to say something about the light...

In my sps tank I have mh250w and in my seahorse tank I have t5 and mh 150w, the mh is only on for to-three hours a day.

It will be easier for me to make a deep sand bed in the seahorse tank than in my sps tank. Now the coral is placed in an icebox with sand, furthest away from the light and pumps in the sps tank.

 

[elegance coral]

Got your PM. Figured I'd just answer it here.

You really don't want to put the elegance in your seahorse tank. If the elegance is healthy, it will most likely kill all your seahorses.

Your best bet is probably to find a nice calm area of the SPS tank for this coral. Maybe use some rocks to block the flow???? Don't be to worried about keeping this coral in sand. I know everything you read about them tells you to keep them in sand, but it's hogwash. I don't keep any of my elegance in sand. You can place the skeleton in a piece of PVC pipe, or wedge it, securely, between LR's. Just make sure the top edge of the skeleton, where the tissue is attached, doesn't come into contact with anything.

As far as light goes, try to place it in a relatively shaded area, but with plenty of indirect light. Don't put it in the dark. Think of it kinda like you would an open brain. You can always slowly increase the light it receives, after it has adjusted to your tank. If you notice strings of brown slimy looking stuff coming out of the mouths, you will want to shade it more. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's just poo. If you notice it withdrawing every day, several hours before lights out, you will want to reduce lighting.
HTH.