New Recruits

[Crazy fishes]

I have bought my first corals today; I got some green star polyp and Zoa which I believe is of the Palythoa genus. The pics attached will help you decide, which when you have can you tell me if they are Palythoa or Zoanthids. The green star has refused to open at all since being tranferred into my tank and the zoa has opened partially to fully. Should I be worried about the green star polyps; I'm not sure what to do next other than wait. Is there anything to do?
Before I purchased them I checked the water chemistry once more, these are the findings: Temp=26C, S.G=1.024, pH=8.4, Kh=18, NH3/NH4=0, NO2=0 NO3=10, PO4=0, Ca= 400. It is all good with the exception of Kh which is too high, but that is falling rapidly.

Regards

 

[@ombomb]

I wouldn't worry about the polyps they have a habit of sulking but are very hardy.

They'll be taking over your tank in no time

 

[shell4375]

My star polyps took about a week to open fully so don't worry yet.

 

[steelhealr]

It's a little early for corals. I hope you keep those two spaced apart. Those two will sting each other if in close proximity. SH

 

[littleme1969]

Is this right? Ive seen these sold together on the same piece of rock growing into each other. I also Have Polyps and green star xenia growing next to each other with no problems at all ?

 

[Crazy fishes]

@ombomb and shell thanks for the reassurance, most appreciated. I did kind of expect them to be a bit shocked even with time to acclimatise, but it is a bit unnerving when they close up and don't open again. Early days, eh.....

SH I did ask at the LFS about the corals. The two are placed on opposite sides of the tank and are going to help stabilise the water chemistry. Both species are photosynthetic, right? At least that is what I have read and was told at the LFS. The algae in the tissue should suck up some nitrate and phosphate thereby reducing the amount in the tank and are hardy enough to cope with the fluctuations, right? Well time will tell if it is too early.

Regards

 

[nanocubeking]

The zoothanthellae is not enough to actually help nitrate or phosphate. It is a nutrient export but not like a macro algae.

 

[andywg]

Remember that there is symbiosis with the relationship between host and zoothanthellae. The zoothanthellae gets much of its nutrient needs from the host (which will almost certainly include any nitrogen needs) in return for supplying foods. I somehow doubt that any polyps or corals will actually aid in nutrient export.

 

[steelhealr]

Is this right? Ive seen these sold together on the same piece of rock growing into each other. I also Have Polyps and green star xenia growing next to each other with no problems at all ?

That piece of rock is from a LFS...not the ocean. Look up Borneman. Again...I tell everyone here that even though you have a wonderful looking nano reef weeks to months after cycling...that doesn't mean it will stay that way. Zoos, as simple as they are to keep.....DO sting.....do participate in coral wars. These are not trees..they are animals with protective 'devices'.

I still advise all nano reefers to RESEARCH their corals before buying a beautiful frag and tossing it in their tanks.

SH

PS..andywg..WTG with the sig pic. LOL

 

[Crazy fishes]

First signs of life from the GSP today; the vents on the bottom of the coral are moving and two or three polyps came out to sense the water. I am very glad they are settling in . I got some calcium suppliments today with added magnesium and strontium (Seachem Raise calcium). Started to dose the tank with that and put it in sync with the carbonate buffer. The skunk cleaner shrimp absolutely adores the Zoa and is climbing all over it. The polyps are trying to open but are forced to close when the shrimp trends on them, is this a problem? I would imagine that it is fine but just want to check since things which I think are fine turn out to be bad.

Regards

 

[steelhealr]

I got some calcium suppliments today with added magnesium and strontium (Seachem Raise calcium).

What is your calcium level?
What is your magnesium level?
What is your strontium level?

You ARE testing levels for what you are dosing, right?

SH

 

[Crazy fishes]

Yes I am measuring the level of calcium in the tank. Can I ask SH, why is it that you always question my actions but never answer my questions? I am intrigued....

Regards

 

[andywg]

Yes I am measuring the level of calcium in the tank. Can I ask SH, why is it that you always question my actions but never answer my questions? I am intrigued....

Regards

But are you measuring the levels of magnesium and strontium? Strontium has a chequered history, and it may well be lethal to some life at levels only slightly higher than Natural Sea Water (though it may also aid other organisms).

I personally would think very long and hard before adding Strontium. Dr Shimek notes that it causes heavier calcium growth in stoney corals by inhibiting the length they can attain (forcing it to put more layers in each spot).

 

[Crazy fishes]

Reef aquarium, that journal, suggest not bothering measuring the strontium and only occasionally measuring magnesium. Also the salt I have at the moment was not standardised so it lacks trace elements and has little bicarbonate/carbonate; it was removed from the market subsequently. I will buy seachem reef salt tomorrow since I have used most of that salt now. My most immediate problem is my nitrate has rocketed to a shocking 20ppm which my corals don't like very much. The GPS has not opened since I have had it ( 3 days) but the Zoa is going ok. I have done a 25% water change today and more zoa polyps have opened. I will do another tomorrow and see where I am at. Hopefully it will come down. I am surprised that it has reached those levels since I only feed about 6 brine shrimp per day to my clowns. Oh well more soon.......

Regards.

 

[andywg]

I would not worry about measuring magnesium or strontium normally, but if you are going to add more of the substances then how else will you tell how much is in it, especially with something like Strontium which can be fatal to crabs at levels as low as 38ppm.