Open Brain lighting question.

[McCrary]

I recently purchased a metallic red and green open brain. My tank is a 110 with 2x250 metal halides. Where should the coral be placed in relation to the light? I have seen both strong light and low light recommendations. As of right now, it is off to the side and low in the tank. Would this be a good permanent position? or should it go up higher?

 

[simion3]

How is it doing where you have it now? If it looks good and you like it where you have it I would just leave it there.

 

[ALTI]

they prefer to be on the sand or a really flat piece of rock. they wont fully expand and can even start receeding if the flesh is being irritated by scratching the rocks. they can tolerate a lot of light. i have mine just off to the left of a 250 watt halide only about 2" under the surface in my prop system.

 

[McCrary]

Thank you ALTI, currently the brain is on the side of the tank in limited flow and light. I was wondering if you knew anything about their flow requirements. As this is a SPS dominated tank the flow is very high in the front of the tank. Would it be better to put it closer to the light even though the flow would be more intense?

 

[ALTI]

they dont like intense flow. iwould leave it alone. it should be fine where it is. just make sure you target feed it as much as you can. mine love silversides.

 

[McCrary]

ALTI, thank you again. I have decided he will stay based on your advice and that of the store owners.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Agreed, very limited light intensity for this coral. I'd really shade it. This color phase is usually from deep water (~150 ft. deep) or very turbid inshore water. The light in this environment is dim. Most seem to have the capacity to tolerate bright light, but I can only imagine that they are much more stressed by this.

cj

 

[McCrary]

Thank you for the info. Always appreciated.