New coral

[Cb24]

I'm new to corals and was just wondering how long it takes for corals to open? I have Kenya tree coral

 

[Sniperhank]

That depends on how you acclimated it to the tank and lighting, and if your lighting is sufficient enough to sustain the kenya tree.

 

[bskerrichard27]

What kind of lights do you have? Kenya's are kinda low light corals and they tend to take a few days to open if everything in your tank is in check...

 

[Cb24]

I have t5 metal halides. Also it came with a plug on it. Where should I place it? In the sand with the plug on? Or should I put it on a rock?

 

[Vazter]

If you have good parameter it will open soon and grow everywhere in you tank

 

[Cb24]

So it's fine if I leave it in the sand? And how long till I see growth?

 

[Cb24]

Would t5 metal halides be sufficient for the Kenya coral tree?

 

[Bectan01]

You have t-5 and metal halides? Or are the t-5 actinic? Should be fine or Kenya tree. It won't grow overnight, just be patient

 

[Cb24]

The t5 are actinic and two t5 HO fluorescent daylights but I know I'm just making sure I realize if still alive after a couple days. When should I start to see growth? I just wanna make sure I'm on par with growth rate

 

[Bectan01]

I don't have a Kenya tree but I would say post pics daily and get some responses if you are worried. A lot of corals can take a few days to open up and get accustomed to their new environment. Just to save confusion, it is just the t-5 you have, not metal halides, they are a different type of light altogether...

 

[Cb24]

Oh my bad about the lights but is the t5 fine for soft coral? I was told they were just seeing what you think

 

[Bectan01]

Yup, they should be fine. So you got 2 x white an 2 x actinic yeah? What wattage are they? I used to have the same ones over my 55g only reason I changed was the replacement bulbs thingy

 

[Cb24]

I don't remember the watts but reviews seem good so that's why I went with them haha but ya I heard changing the bulbs can build up after awhile but my last question for the coral is how do you get it off the plug it came on?

 

[Bectan01]

Ah, that I can't help you with either. I have never bought a frag on a plug mine all come on bits of live rock. I am guessing you would leave it on there? Hopefully someone else can help you there... I liked the t-5s I think they are a good choice over a 55g and you can always add more if you wanna do sps down the track. Post pics of your new additions!

 

[Sniperhank]

You want to keep the frag on the plug. It will over grow it with time.

In terms of t5, still a good light choice for a 55. 55 to me is the last step before you get into large tanks, where t5ho don't make economical sense to me.

 

[Cb24]

This is what it looks like in the morning. Is something wrong with it?

 

[uh.oh...]

Not yet I think. Ive it another 2 or 3 days, then see how its doing. Remember these are flowers or plants, they're not going to always "open" in a matter of minutes. Try to give it a low flow area and just let it do its think. Kenya's are pretty resilient.

 

[aadair22]

I wouldn't worry to much about it.. Give it a little bit of time to adjust and it will be fine.

 

[Cb24]

Ya it picked it self up right so it's not wilting anymore so I guess you can say I'm just double checking haha