Goniopora....Question abnout placement

[Craig Lambert]

I have done a ton of research on this coral and feel up to the challenge. Through my research it has been difficult to determine what the proper placement would be with regard to my lighting. I know people have kept these successfully under a variety of lighting conditions so there doesn't seem to be any hard rule. (Perhaps flow in the bigger issue).

I have a 75G VHO tank. This isn't your usual 440 watts of lighting though. I run two ballasts and a 6 bulb configuration for a total of 630 watts. I received a small red goni today from Drs. Foster Smith (diver's den), and have placed it low in the tank on a flat rock in direct light. This little guy is no larger than a golf ball. It has extended slightly during it's first hour in the tank.

I have read many threads by JENnKerry and John Kelly, and if one of you happens to read this your response would be an added bonus.

I have the recommended foods ready to go, and was also wondering how soon I should try spot feeding.

 

[John Kelly]

If it starts to fade quite a bit in color over time, then you'll need to provide some shade for it. I use pieces of black fiberglass door screen mesh between the lights and the water surface over some of mine that are higher in the tank. Unlike the green and purple goni's, the red do not become brighter or a more intense "red" in color under higher intensity light, they fade from a normally rich brownish red color toward a pale whitish-red, or light pink depending on species. Some fading doesn't affect them, and they grow well underneath higher light, but you don't want them to turn real pale or bleached looking. Also, the further out they extend their polyps over time, the more pale they look, which is normal.

I would wait until tomorrow before feeding. They usually acclimate fairly slow and are cautious to come out when the environment has changed. If the environment is agreeable (water quality, water flow, lighting) and the coral is in decent health, it should be extending by tomorrow.

 

[Craig Lambert]

Thanks for the response John. One additional question. I do see some extension taking place but how much extension would you expect to see from a goni that is only about the size of a quarter dollar?

 

[John Kelly]

That seems awfully small. Do you have a pic? The potential extension really depends on the species, the age of the coral, and the environment that it is in (health, water flow, lighting etc...).
Is it a "frag"?

 

[Craig Lambert]

I'll get some pic's up late tomorrow or Mon. My wife is away this weekend with the camera.

 

[Craig Lambert]

Here's a picture of the Goni. He's about 2.5 inches. He extends a bit more than this after lights out, but not much. I guess I expected more extension. His coloration in the picture looks a bit uneven, but it actually isn't. I think that's just a shadow cast by a piece of cardboard I placed above him in order to provide some shade for lighting acclimation.

 

[John Kelly]

That's a cool piece. 2.5 inches is quite a bit larger than a quarter dollar . It should eventually extend close to several inches. Start feeding it if you haven't already.

The front edge of it almost looks like it's been cut; it looks like some of the polyps are cut in half.

 

[Craig Lambert]

Thanks John. Actually the polyps are all full, but the picture shows the flow moving the ones on the bottom. You are right about the size...I guess I exagerated a bit but 2.5" is pretty small for one of these isn't it? I have fed it and will continue to do so every 3 days.

 

[bobt2]

i have my goni on the sandbed of a 75 with 6x54 t-5s. at the 1 yr point i see good growth.i don't feed it directly but i feed the tank dt's phyto and cyclopeese a few x per week

 

[bobt2]

i should have added that i think my goni is eclipsenis