Coral on sand bed?

[meverha1]

Recently picked up some Chalice and Blasto corals and in searching around for placement ideas I see a lot of pictures where it looks like the corals are just on the sand bed in the tank.

Is this OK? If so, should I attach the frag to a small rock or just leave the frag disk on the sand and let the coral grow?

What corals work best placed on the sand bed?

Also, starting to think that getting a fighting conch might not have been the best idea since it seems like a lot of "starter" corals like lower placement in the tank...

 

[Ztous]

Most people start corals on the sand think of it as light acclimation since the sand bed is the furthest away from the light. Any corals I leave on the sand I attach to a small rock. The snail won't bother coral anymore then rubbing against it and that will be minimal at best.

Every coral has different care to a degree you'll have to look up each ones care but if they say low light/ low flow they will probably do alright on the sand bed. Most people don't have a ton of flow right at sand level since it would just blow the sand around.

 

[texdoc77]

Recently picked up some Chalice and Blasto corals and in searching around for placement ideas I see a lot of pictures where it looks like the corals are just on the sand bed in the tank.

Is this OK? If so, should I attach the frag to a small rock or just leave the frag disk on the sand and let the coral grow?
What corals work best placed on the sand bed?

There are quite a few factors on where to place your coral. Every tank is different. Starting on the sand bed is not a bad idea, however, there were times with specific corals I started them on low rocks, or even higher up. If they did not like the location I would move them. How much light do you have, how big is your tank? these are all factors.

, starting to think that getting a fighting conch might not have been the best idea since it seems like a lot of "starter" corals like lower placement in the tank...

A fighting conch is a great idea, lots of people have them and they put stuff in the sand bed, including corals, frags and clams.

 

[meverha1]

I have a Biocube 29 with Stevesled's upgrade kit - plenty of light.

I always start my corals near the bottom of the tank to acclimate them and slowly move the ones that need higher placement up as needed.

My question was more about permanent placement on the sand bed. It looks like some people put their Chalice and Blasto corals on the sand and leave them there.

Although, I've also heard that the Chalice corals should be near the top and away from other corals so they don't sting. I'm confused.

 

[shadowmonster]

It's basically all trial & error. You'll see.

 

[meverha1]

It's basically all trial & error. You'll see.

I know.

How do you deal with placing coral that you might have to move? Some coral (or their frag plugs) need to be epoxied or glued down to stay in place and I'm worried about doing that and then having to move the coral.

Removing live rock from the aquarium to remove a coral isn't really an option. Does coral glue or expoxy "unstick" easily?

 

[Sk8r]

What NOT to have with a fighting conch is a plate coral. Not intentional, just deadly.
Plates and their ilk need to be left on the sand, never fastened. Other corals can be glued to very small rocks, which will make them easier to keep upright.

 

[shadowmonster]

I know.

How do you deal with placing coral that you might have to move? Some coral (or their frag plugs) need to be epoxied or glued down to stay in place and I'm worried about doing that and then having to move the coral.

Removing live rock from the aquarium to remove a coral isn't really an option. Does coral glue or expoxy "unstick" easily?

IME, yes. You'll get a feel for this as well. In most cases I can just pry the frag plugs off the rocks with my fingers, but sometimes I'll have to use a small flat head screwdriver or a razor blade to get a little leverage.

 

[homer1475]

I find that super glue and JB water weld will pry off with some slight leverage(small screwdriver, etc).