Is anyone here keeping lots of non-photosynthetic corals successfully....

[Mikey Donuts]

...or have a dedicated non-photosynthetic coral tank? The reason I ask is that I've got a Swiftia Exserta Gorgonian (orange w/red polyps) from the first Florida group buy that isn't doing so well. I've got it in a good amount of current and I feed it daily, however the gorgonian seems to be slowly losing tissue. I've got a yellow sea rod (also non-photosynthetic) right next to the Swiftia and it's doing beautifully, it just seems the Swiftia is more delicate.

So, here's my offer. Rather than see this beautiful coral waste away in my tank, I'm willing to give it to someone with lots of non-photosynthetic corals, or a tank that is somewhat "dirty" (multiple heavy daily feedings). The piece is about 6"x6" and you'll have to pick it up.

I'm trying to find it a better home, so if you want it, please give me a quick rundown of why it would do well in your tank.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[bobbyblank]

I think Aaron (airinhere) has a fairly dedicated tank to non-photosynthetic corals, you might try to contact him.

 

[Mikey Donuts]

Thanks Bobby!

 

[bluenassarius]

mikey,

you might want to turn off the pumps when feeding it. make sure all of the polyps are out then drop some food (i use frozen mysis) on the polyps. this will ensure it gets the food. hth

 

[Mikey Donuts]

It definitely is getting a lot of food. I use a homemade mix that has a ton of small ingredients (oyster eggs, goldenpearls, etc.) as well as larger chunks of stuff like squid and Mysis. When I feed the tank, I use a baster and essentially saturate the gorgonian polyps with the mix. I do this a few times in one feeding session and all of the polyps seem to be ingesting food. I do this once a day. Maybe it needs more frequent feedings? I treat the swiftia and the sea rod exactly the same, and the sea rod is doing great.

 

[funman1]

http://www.airinheresreef.com/

Click on the "Florida non-photosynthetic reef"

 

[airinhere]

I do have a non-photosynthetic tank, but do not think I am any more expert than anyone else about the care for these types of gorgonians.

Swiftia need lots of food and little particle size stuff. I give my yellow sea rod cyclopeeze and BBS and I can see an obvious feeding response from the gorgonians. If they are getting enough food is completely unknown.

I feed daily.

Lots of flow, very little light, food that is small enough for the polyps to get down.

If you really want to get rid of the swiftia, I would love to have it.

 

[Mikey Donuts]

Aaron, I just took one quick look at your page and your tanks look beautiful. I think the Swiftia would likely fare well in your Florida tank so it's yours. The tissue loss on the swiftia isn't too terrible, so it should be able to recover nicely. I'll send you a PM....

 

[airinhere]

Mikey, check PM.


And thanks, I dont like about half the pictures I took for the site, but I will get them all replaced with good shots in the near future!

And some description of how I am runnig all the tanks.

 

[Mikey Donuts]

Swiftia is on the right side of the tank