Lobo(?) lighting and care?

[SDguy]

I recently picked up this coral on impulse. I freely admit that in 20+ years of reefing, I've never kept a lobo of any kind Any tips, especially lighting to keep the deep dark colors would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[SDguy]

OK, well, clearly, feeding it isn't an issue

 

[GoingPostal]

I have terrible luck with lobos, mine always do great for months on end, then start receding, go back and forth between looking great and receding and slowly die. I have never had such an issue with an lps before and haven't had any since my 3rd died, however a branching lobo I had always did fantastic. Color changing, I have had two do this and two stay the same, I had a red with dark blue center that lost all the center coloring and turned red and this orange and greenish that turned red and lost center color. I've kept them mostly to the sides and corners of my tanks as I always thought they were lower light but maybe more light would have helped? At most I have had 150 watt halides, at least 96 watt pcs.

This lobo under pcs

Under 70 watt halide, it slowly lost all the center coloring (the green lobo held it's color)

 

[SDguy]

Hmmm, interesting. Not the best news, but interesting

I have 250W 14K's on my 30" tall tank. I was going to put it in heavy shade, but I may need to rethink that. Thanks for the info! Anyone else with experiences?

 

[damac20]

From what I've been told they like very low light and low flow. I had one before right in the center of the tank with the tunze pumping right above it....needless to say this one didn't make it. I have one now and its on the right size of the tank in little flow and little light and it seems to be very happy. Although it doesn't put out the feeder tentacles that I have ever seen. I've had it for a few months now and it seems to be doing well.

 

[SDguy]

I've always heard red = low light, but green, not so much. What to do with a half and half coral

 

[small alien]

That's what I've read also. I have a red one that inflates fully only when in low light and low flow. I have another red one that is very flourescent (other one not so much) and it seems comfortable in a higher light area.

Also, the low light one is not very folded on itself whereas the flourescent, higher light one is very folded.

All anecdotal, but there you go. Good luck. I'd say start low light and move it into more if you're losing the color.

 

[montrealreef]

I have had 2 lobos for four years now and they have kept their beautiful deep color. In my experience this is what works:

1) "Bluer" light ( I have 250W 20k radiums as well as T5 actinics)
2) Low light intensity: they are at the bottom of my 30" deep tank
3) have them facing sideways ( polyp facing side of tank not top of tank)
4) Low flow ( I have them "shielded" by rocks upstream in the line of flow

Hope this helps

 

[small alien]

+1 to the above

 

[steelcity]

I have a metallic red and green just like yours SD. Mine is on the rock work about mid level in the tank. My ATI sunpower is 9" off of the tank. Gets low to moderate flow. It has no problems eating and will throw out its feeders all the time. I will notice from time to time that it will not inflate. Right away I check the chemistry and the ph will be a tad high. Otherwise than that mine has been very easy to keep.

 

[SDguy]

OK, thanks for all the help.

Montrealreef - what's the idea behind having it placed vertically? Just less direct light?

 

[SDguy]

Well, so far so good, though it hasn't been long. It's settled in, and looks amazing still (no loss of yellow highlights). I can't believe the color on this thing!

 

[bluzepher1]

I have had 2 lobos for four years now and they have kept their beautiful deep color. In my experience this is what works:

1) "Bluer" light ( I have 250W 20k radiums as well as T5 actinics)
2) Low light intensity: they are at the bottom of my 30" deep tank
3) have them facing sideways ( polyp facing side of tank not top of tank)
4) Low flow ( I have them "shielded" by rocks upstream in the line of flow

Hope this helps

What do you feed your mine seems to have quit eating

 

[tmscube]

Good bit of info ..

 

[m0nkie]

I have had 2 lobos for four years now and they have kept their beautiful deep color. In my experience this is what works:

1) "Bluer" light ( I have 250W 20k radiums as well as T5 actinics)
2) Low light intensity: they are at the bottom of my 30" deep tank
3) have them facing sideways ( polyp facing side of tank not top of tank)
4) Low flow ( I have them "shielded" by rocks upstream in the line of flow

Hope this helps

interesting #3. Do you design a sand hill for it to face sideways? or put a rock under?

what is your reasoning behind this? or just observation?? 1 of my lobo is not doing so well, so I'm wondering if I should do this

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

Thanks Montreal!

Thanks Montreal!

Thanks Montreal..I was having a bit of a time with my lobo...I put him
a bit on his side and instantaneously he started looking happier..I guess
the less direct ray of light is what they prefer...they also look happier immediately a that angle for some reason.... and the low light and low flow I already suspected and glad to have that confirmed...

CHeers,

Tim