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06/08/2018, 01:42 PM | #1 |
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3 day Old Elegance Coral (How's She Doing?)
Hey all,
Last weekend I saw an Australian Elegance 50% off online, description said they were fairly hardy, did a quick Google search which confirmed the bias I'd created from reading that description and decided to click order. I've since been researching and found they're quite a challenge to keep but hey...I guess I'm up for it now. I'm not sure the specimen I received was in the greatest condition to begin with because it seems the membrane was pulled back a bit from the edges compared to other pictures I've seen. Below are some photo links to it. Any input on its arrival condition and current state are appreciated! Day 1 Arrival In Package - https://photos.app.goo.gl/pkwjChe2PMHUtCp93 Placed in tank after drip acclimating (light is ambient from windows. no tank lights yet). - https://photos.app.goo.gl/qKUJ1mPjUPrrSd8B2 Day 1 Evening - I gave her 2 hours of low light to see her open up - https://photos.app.goo.gl/20nJOpCSMWNBFLFn2 Day 2 - I read that they expand 2-4x the size of their base. Doesn't seem to be near that. All spectrums were on today at 50% for 2.5 hrs. Tentacles also seem very short compared to pictures I've seen online. What do you think? Front View - https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZZr8RHt93vIKkFEO2 Side View - https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVxdBq2hr3mzrcsM9 Day 3 - I don't notice much difference. Tentacles might be a hair longer...maybe? https://photos.app.goo.gl/unAFO7DDOMvBnQcv2 Water Parameters Have Been Holding Steady At: <10 Nitrate 0 Ammonia 1.025 Salinity 9-10 dKh 8-8.2 pH 77-78 Degrees It's in a low flow, low light area currently. I have a crappy Orbit Marine IC LED unit on the tank. My tank is 18 inches deep so according to manufacturers chart I should be around 20-40 PAR down there. Which from what I'm reading isn't quite enough (should be closer to 100 once the coral is fully acclimated?). However I noticed this morning that the coral was expelling some zooxanthellae from the oral disc which means it's been getting too much light correct? Was 2.5 hours at 50% intensity from a cheap-o LED really too much light? Any input/thoughts are much appreciated! |
06/08/2018, 04:21 PM | #2 |
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
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Definitely needs more light if it’s only getting 20-40 PAR. Are you sure it was zoox that it was expelling?
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06/08/2018, 10:32 PM | #3 |
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Location: Houston, Texas
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Also did you put the stony base into the sand? It looks kind of like it's just resting on top of the sand and that's why it is facing the wall of the tank instead of the lights above.
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06/09/2018, 05:52 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
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06/09/2018, 06:01 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
It seems people have had success with all sorts of positions including attached to rockwork (which many advise against). If it doesn't improve in the next day or so I may try bringing it higher up in the tank for more light. Based on photos would you say its tentacles are definitely withdrawn? It is a small piece...maybe 1 1/2 inches. |
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06/09/2018, 07:24 AM | #6 |
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Location: Houston, Texas
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I think it's a little withdrawn and not fully expanded.
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06/09/2018, 07:25 AM | #7 |
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Location: Houston, Texas
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Mine that I just posted a pic of seems really happy. It's growing new mouths and even when I upset it, it doesn't take long to open back up. When mysis falls on it, it is such to gobble it up.
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06/09/2018, 08:40 AM | #8 | |
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I might have to try spot feeding it a little Mysis and see how it rracts. Will have to distract the cleaner shrimp so they don't steal it. Elegance are pretty slow eaters right? |
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06/09/2018, 10:40 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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06/09/2018, 12:43 PM | #10 |
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She's looking better already. Lights on full power have her opening a little wider and tentacles are starting to look more full. Not quite where I think they should be but improving. Fed some mysis and that was fun to watch the mouthes open up a d curl the food into the mouthes. Had to use the Turkey baster to fight off the cleaner shrimp though LOL. Those guys have an appetite.
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06/10/2018, 07:13 AM | #11 |
colors and textures
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Petaluma CA
Posts: 6,301
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Glad it has improved.
Speaking of hungry shrimp, I have seen shrimp stick their claws inside the acan polyp mouthes and pull swallowed food out of their gut sack.
__________________
The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs |
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coral help, elegance coral, lpc |
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