sorry for the stupid question ...but I've got to start somewhere!

[littlemannin]

I'm thinking about changing my FOWLR tank to a coral tank.Recently I had an ich outbreak that killed 2 fish out of 3, the last fish is a Coral beauty and I also have a mushroom that has split. She looks excelent so far with no signs of ich and the mushroom looks fine.(6 months from now i'm sure she won't).My question is, does ich effect soft corals? And also while I'm asking stupid questions, Do corals poop? I know its an odd question, but I need to know because of bioload. I'm still in the planning stages of this project, so I'm tring to read as much as possible before making the leap! These are 2 questions I haven't found an answer for.

Thanks

 

[wrassie86]

Corals are not effected by ick.And i dont think you have to worry about corals poop most people dont even consider them bioload

 

[Gerad]

i have a fuzzie shrum that poops almost daly. but my clow eats the poop so i just laugh... if i could figgure out how to post a pic i would show you.

 

[panic]

Corals live on fish poop and light (and others) for the most part. Bioload effects fish mostly when it is enough to cause nitrates to push the nitrate or even ammonia cycle. Fish can live for awhile in pretty dirty water. Corals should have less than 20ppm nitrates to be healthy, and most SPS growers shoot for 0-5. Most say they have 0. Soft corals are filter feeders and some need special nutrients so read up on the coral BEFORE you get it and you will have better luck. All in my experience, I'm sure there are other ways to look at it.